Tracy Lawrence will soon have another award, but this one isn’t for his music. The singer-songwriter is the latest recipient of the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award, honoring Lawrence’s numerous philanthropic efforts, including his annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert, which has raised more than $2 million to fight homelessness in Middle Tennessee.
Lawrence will be honored at the annual Country Radio Seminar, along with radio industry leader, Brent Michaels, who will receive the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for being honored by the Country Radio Broadcasters,” says Lawrence. “The success of Mission:Possible, each year surpassing our previous donation records, is nothing short of a blessing. Giving back has always been a calling for me and to be acknowledged for that by such a long-standing and respected organization is truly an honor.”
“We commend both Humanitarian Award winners for deep and personal commitments to their causes,” Beverlee Brannigan, CRS/CRB Board member and Chairwoman of the CRS Awards Committee, says. “Tracy Lawrence’s and Brent Michaels’ contributions go far beyond simply lending their names or influence. Each has devoted personal time, talents, and resources over a significant period of time. The results of their initiatives have improved lives in their communities. We are beyond proud to recognize Tracy and Brent’s efforts at CRS 2023.”
Lawrence’s Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert raised more than $250,000 in 2022 alone, providing a record-breaking 1200 turkeys. While it has now grown into a massive undertaking, in the beginning, Lawrence just wanted to find a practical way to help those in need.
“Years ago, when we started this thing, it was done just as a grassroots awareness campaign,” the Texas native told Everything Nash. “I had no intentions of this thing growing into what it was. It was not my vision. I just saw people in need standing on the street corners that needed help, and I saw the distaste that people had for it. And I thought there might be a way that we can help change the public perception a little bit, and make people realize that, that there are a lot of different reasons that people fall on homelessness.”
Previous recipients of the Artist Humanitarian Award include Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, and Brad Paisley, among others.
Both Lawrence and Michaels will receive their awards during the New Faces Show, as part of Country Radio Seminar. The ceremony, which is not open to the public, will be held on March 15.
Lawrence has plenty of shows on the calendar in 2023, including returning to the road with Clay Walker for some co-headlining dates. More information can be found at TracyLawrence.com.
