mark chesnutt comes forward to help youth in life battle

One of country music's most recognizable voices, Mark Chesnutt, has generously come forward to donate his time and talent to perform at the Kendrick Little Benefit Concert. This charitable effort has been organized for the benefit of Kendrick Little, a 5-year-old boy who is fighting a life battle with High-Grade Glioma (HGG), a rare and fatal form of brainstem cancer that affects nearly 300 children per year. The concert will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the Asbury Park Complex at 6PM in Comanche, OK; proceeds from the benefit will be dedicated to assist the family with young Kendrick's expenses.

With the loving support and strength from family and friends, Kendrick Little (a former resident of Comanche, OK) has been bravely fighting an Intrinsic Brainstem High-Grade Glioma tumor (graded at a 3-4 scale on a scale 1-4) since Thanksgiving 2008. The deadly tumor originated in the brainstem and flowered to the left hemisphere of the young boy's brain. Kendrick underwent an intense 15-hour surgery after the initial diagnosis; 65-70 percent of the tumor was successfully removed. After completing a 30-day course of radiation therapy, the tumor was further reduced surprising doctors--as this optimum result has not been achieved in prior cases with this type of cancer.

There is no cure for HGG. Kendrick's physician, who has consulted with top cancer specialists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN), has surmised Kendrick's life span to be 12-18 months. The medical bills the family has incurred while fighting this battle are insurmountable and Mark Chesnutt graciously stepped forward to show his support.

"This event is special for me and I am honored to help this family," said Chesnutt. "With three young and healthy kids, it is hard to think about what little Kendrick and his family are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them all as they live day-to-day fighting this silent killer."

Mark Chesnutt is a country music industry veteran having performed at various benefit concerts throughout his 19-year career. To date, he has four platinum albums, five gold albums, 14 No. 1 singles and 23 Top 10 singles to his name. Mark most recent release, "She Never Got Me Over You" (written by Keith Whitley/Dean Dillon/Hank Cochran and produced by Jimmy Ritchey) is classic, "must hear" music and is receiving overwhelming applause from country music fans young and old. It is the last song Keith Whitley wrote and comes from Chesnutt's latest CD project ROLLIN' WITH THE FLOW (Lofton Creek Records).

The Asbury Complex is located at 410 South 2nd Street, Comanche, OK.  Tickets are $50 per person; for more ticket information or how you can make your contribution to assist Kendrick Little and his family, contact: geanannbadgwell@clearwire.net.

For more information about Kendrick Little and the plight of the Little Family please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHSplrORPOE