2nd Annual Stars for Hope

In 2004, Marty Slayton gathered Nashville Star alumni together to help benefit Lupus and create the "Stars For Hope" annual concert. 2005 made the event much larger of course with the addition of finalists from the third season.
Each year the show coincides with the CMA Festival, without interfering with the festival activities. When the first lists came out for the 2005 benefit, eight finalists were on the line-up, the night of the show fifteen finalists showed up to perform!

2005 reunited season one finalists Anne Louise Blythe, Amy Chappell(with friend Jason Jones), Prentiss Varnon and john Arthur martinez, season two finalists Gregory DeLang, Mal Rodgers, Marty Slayton, Brent Keith, Jennifer Hicks (with duet partner Rick Ferrell), and Matt Lindahl, and season three finalists Casey Simpson, Jenny Farrell [unable to perform due to a throat ailment], Justin David, Jayron Weaver, Jody Evans and 2005 Nashville Star winner Erika Jo (Heriges).
Not only did these contestants donate their time and talent, but also a portion of the proceeds from their own merchandise sold during the night.
Gregory DeLang is very close to the cause. She explained "one of the reasons I like being part of the Lupus Foundation is my family doctor has Lupus. She's come close to dying a few times. She's [now] in remission and [working in] herbal research in a program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. (The program starts in July 2005 and her Dr. is holistically certified)".

The Nashville area chapter of the Lupus Foundation holds several fundraisers throughout the year in addition to this "Stars For Hope" benefit.
In 1994, they began an annual golf tournament. In 1998, started a 5K Run and Walk. And in 1999, a Garden Tour [of creatively designed area gardens] as well as a Gospel Event held in local area churches.

Lupus ranges from mild to life threatening and thousands die from the disease each year. The majority of cases can be controlled with proper treatment. There is no method for cure but research continues thanks to benefits such as these.
We encourage you to learn more about Lupus through the website www.lupustennessee.org for information on support groups, educational meetings, phone counseling, referrals, assistance, as well as a lot of information on the disease.
If you are personally affected by Lupus, or know someone who is, membership to the Lupus Foundation is literally a click away via the internet. Membership helps to support the organization as well as provides you with information on the foundation locally and nationally. Or you can also support through the purchase of bracelets and/or car magnets.
Make sure that if you're in Nashville, or even just visiting that you add this show to your must-see list. It's basically a reunion for the Nashville Star cast and audience.

After all we got to see:
How much Gregory DeLang's little boy, Dakota had grown [Season Two watchers will recall he was born just the week before the first show was taped in February 2004].

john Arthur martinez twirl wife Yvonna around the dance floor.

Brent Keith announce that he would be marrying longtime-girlfriend Nicole the following week.

Jennifer Hicks introduce everyone to her new recording partner Rick Ferrell along with some great new material.

Mal Rodgers and Justin David both treat the crowd to new self-written material.

Marty Slayton treated most of the performers to her background vocalizing services as well as music from her self-released project - she also reminded everyone to check her new material out on countrymonkey.com [Lance Miller and Justin David material can be sampled there as well].

Jayron Weaver, Jody Evans, and Erika Jo were all prepping to head out on the 2005 Nashville Star Tour and Erika Jo's new CD "I Break Things" was released this week.

We have to give a special nod to our emcee for the night Wix Wichmann [who also did Season Three in-studio warm-ups] because we never know what he might say next!

I have to say Lance Miller we did miss you even though you were out with those Warren Brothers [Judges Season 2] but we did understand.
Everyone make sure to watch CMT's "Barely Famous" because rumor has it that they were taping the week that Miller was on tour with the boys.

So you really don't want to miss any of this in the future now do you?

Article Written & Submitted by Michelle Durham