Kenny Chesney was honored with the 2020 Artist Humanitarian Award by the Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) on Feb. 19 for his ongoing charitable work.
Notably, Kenny’s Love for Love City Foundation helped spearhead the rebuilding of St. John after the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. In addition to humanitarian aid and working with local teams to facilitate clean-up and rebuilding, Kenny and his staff worked to rescue and relocate more than 2,000 displaced animals of St. Thomas and St. John. The proceeds from Kenny’s 2018 album, Songs for the Saints—more than $1.1 million to date—benefited the Love for Love City Foundation.
Over the years, Kenny has also partnered with a number of charitable organizations, including MusiCares, the Red Cross, Farm Aid, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ACM Lifting Lives, the CMA Foundation, Kids Wish Network and more.
“I have to tell you, I have a lot of emotions standing up here,” Kenny told the crowd at the CRS opening luncheon. “I am embarrassed and uncomfortable, but God has given me the gift of communicating with people through music . . . and that’s given me a unique platform to help, especially with the Virgin Islands, with Songs for the Saints, which was written in the moment and came from the heart.
“You know, I’d heard ‘One Love’ by Bob Marley my whole life, but when you’re under that kind of stress, to see everyone coming together to rebuild and help? I got to see what that song was in action. What was really amazing were so many people who didn’t really have anything, and the way they gave.”
The CRS Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career. Past recipients include Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels and more.
