Russell and Kailey Dickerson received the 2026 Angels Among Us honor during the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids seminar, held October 20-21 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. The gathering celebrated the country music community’s continuing support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The award recognizes dedication and service to St. Jude and carries the name of ALABAMA’s Randy Owen, who founded Country Cares in 1989. This year’s recipients join a group of past honorees that includes Keith Urban, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, and Brothers Osborne.
A commitment to saying yes
Speaking from the stage, Russell described how family life has changed the demands he can accept, while St. Jude has remained a priority. His remarks, provided in the seminar’s press recap, centered on making time for the hospital and its families.
“You meet these kids and these families and you cannot leave St. Jude the same as when you walk in, it’s impossible,” Kailey said.
She also thanked Randy and Kelly Owen for helping create that calling within country music.
Country music keeps showing up
The 36th edition of the seminar included performances across its two days from HARDY, Anne Wilson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Deerock, and St. Jude cancer survivor Darren Warren, according to the event recap supplied to CountryMusicNewsBlog.com.
The broader Music Gives to St. Jude Kids program brings artists, radio partners, and fans together through radiothons, concerts, events, and campaigns such as This Shirt Saves Lives. Those efforts support the hospital’s research and treatment mission.
For fans who want to participate, the official Music Gives page explains current ways to support St. Jude. It also offers a look at the artists helping carry that work forward.
The Dickersons’ recognition is a reminder that showing up, sharing a platform, and staying involved can become a lasting part of an artist’s relationship with the country music community.
