Jake Owen Foundation Presents Donations to St. Jude and the Mardy Fish Foundation

December 16, 2010 – Jake Owen Foundation Presents $30,000 To St. Jude And $33,000 To Mardy Fish Foundation

Owen presented checks to St. Jude for $30,000 and a check to the Mardy Fish Foundation for $33,000, on behalf of the Jake Owen Foundation – which was recently created and added a new dimension to this year’s event. The Jake Owen Foundation joined longtime event beneficiary the Mardy Fish Foundation to enhance this vehicle for charitable support geared toward children. The Mardy Fish Foundation, established by tennis pro Mardy Fish as a way to support youth organizations and programs in the Vero Beach area, is a key beneficiary of the Jake Owen Foundation, together with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Every year I’m reminded how privileged I am to have been raised in this wonderful and charitable community,” remarked the singer/songwriter. “It is such an honor to be a part of giving back to the children of Vero Beach.” He continued, “And a special thanks goes out to everyone who helped make this year’s event so incredible – including my friends Little Big Town and Mardy! We’re already looking forward to next year and making plans to grow this event!”

One of the highlights of the Friday concert was a Jake and Little Big Town acoustic performance of their Grammy nominated “Life In A Northern Town.”

Prior to the evening concert on Friday, December 10, the event weekend kicked-off earlier that day with a Kids’ Tennis Clinic at Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club, the Official Host Sponsor of the Event. The event continued through Saturday, December 11, with a luncheon that included a live and silent auction and a Tennis Exhibition featuring Event Host Mardy Fish, who was joined by tennis legend Ivan Lendl and the No.1 doubles team in the world, brothers Bob and Mike Bryan.

Fish, currently ranked No. 16 in the world and the No. 2 U.S. player, won back-to-back titles for the first time in his career at Newport and Atlanta this summer.

The entire weekend event is expected to raise thousands of additional dollars for youth programs in the Indian River County of Florida.

About Jake Owen
RCA Nashville recording artist Jake Owen emerged as one of country’s hottest young talents with the 2006 release of his debut album, Startin’ with Me, and he’s built on that excitement with his latest album, Easy Does It, and a growing list of hits that includes five consecutive Top 15 singles with such songs as “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” and “Eight Second Ride.” A past ACM winner as Top New Male Vocalist, Owen has earned CMA, CMT, and GRAMMY award nominations while becoming a fan-favorite, appearing on such programs as Good Morning America and CMT Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, and touring with superstars like Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, and Carrie Underwood. Keep up with all the latest news on Jake at www.jakeowen.net.

About Little Big Town
Critically-acclaimed platinum-selling group Little Big Town-consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook-first entered the music scene over 12 years ago with hits such as "Boondocks," "Bring It On Home," and "Good As Gone," but it is their fourth studio album and recent chart-topping release on Capitol Records Nashville, The Reason Why, that really has people talking. The Dallas Morning News' Mario Tarradell writes, "There's so much vibrant authenticity and heart in Little Big Town's sound." Collectively, the group has earned four GRAMMY nominations, seven ACM nominations, and as of late, their eighth CMA Awards nomination. Currently on tour with Sugarland, fans can hear their top Billboard hit "Little White Church" as well as new single, "Kiss Goodbye," by visiting www.littlebigtown.com.

Jake Owen Foundation Mission Statement
The Jake Owen Foundation, established in 2010, was created to offer its support on a national level to children battling cancer and other childhood diseases while also lending its support to the Mardy Fish Foundation and its mission to assist youth in Owen’s hometown area of Indian River County, FL. Through Jake’s association with the country music community, he has had the opportunity to visit children and families at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, who are benefiting from the extensive research and patient care the hospital provides. Once a patient is accepted, St. Jude covers all medical costs beyond those covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude also provides transportation, lodging, and meals for one parent and child. Nicholas Weis was one of the many special children Jake met a few years ago, who was battling a devastating childhood disease. Nicholas became an inspiration to Jake and fueled his passion to support St. Jude and related charities. In June of 2010, young Nicholas lost his battle shortly before his 10th birthday, but as a result of their special friendship, Jake has dedicated himself to raise awareness for children like Nicholas and their families who face these difficult struggles. The Jake Owen Foundation will direct money raised through Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest to the Mardy Fish Foundation and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is the single largest center in the U.S. for the treatment and research of pediatric cancer and other childhood catastrophic diseases. Jake has reached out to the country music community to assist him with his Foundation and its cause by asking artists to join him for the Jake Owen Concert, which is part of the annual fundraiser, Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest.

Mardy Fish Foundation
For more information on the Mardy Fish Foundation visit www.mardytennis.com.