Once again Covenant Health Foundation is bringing to the Cactus Theater its annual fundraising event Storytellers, now in its 16th year. The benefit is scheduled at 7 p.m. June 10 at the Cactus, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., with a 6 p.m. pre-party at the Depot Patio and 10:30 p.m. after-party at Tornado Alley.

This year’s featured songwriters are Al Anderson, Bob DiPiero and Jessi Alexander.  The evening will be hosted by Jay Boy Adams.  Brett and Ginger McDowell are chairing the event with supporting vice chairs Travis and Melissa Funk.

For information on remaining tickets, contact Heather McVay at the Covenant Foundation, (806) 725-6020 or heather.mcvay@stjoe.org.

Proceeds this year provide support for several projects at Covenant Children’s.

Dr. Amy Thompson, CEO of Covenant Children’s, says the Storytellers event has been a delightful ongoing resource for their hospital.

“The annual Storytellers event is something we look forward to every year,” Thompson said. “Not only is it a great evening of entertainment, but our patients and families have benefitted so much from the funds raised over the years.”

About the Storytellers
Al Anderson is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Between 1971 and the early 1990s, he was the lead guitarist in the rock band NRBQ, also releasing several solo albums. Since then, his songs have been recorded by a diverse mix of nearly 900 artists including The Allman Brothers, Jimmy Buffet, Harry Connick Jr., Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Etta James, George Jones, Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt, Rascal Flatts, Leann Rimes, George Strait, Train, Trisha Yearwood, Zac Brown and more. He has been the recipient of “BMI Writer of the Year” award and more than 20 awards for most-performed song. His catalog of songs has sold more than 40 million to date. Musician Magazine named Big Al Anderson as one of the top 100 guitarists of the 20th century.

Bob DiPiero, a Hall of Fame songwriter, has been responsible for an uninterrupted string of country music hits since his first #1 in 1983. One of Nashville’s most prolific and consistent songwriters, Bob possesses a humble drive to keep learning and stay relevant. He has had more than 1,000 songs recorded by other artists, countless hit singles, and an astounding 15 #1 hits. His songs have been featured in TV shows, commercials and movies. In 2011 his song “Coming Home” from the Country Strong movie soundtrack was nominated for both an Oscar and Golden Globe Award for“Best Original Song in a Motion Picture.” In 2007, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and Nashville’s Walk of Fame, where his star is located between Jimi Hendrix and Barbara Mandrell. Bob says, “The location of my star pretty much says it all!”

Jessi Alexander is the songwriter of many chart- topping hits in country music. Jessi has penned four #1’s including “I Drive Your Truck” recorded by Lee Brice, Song of the Year from the 2013 CMA Awards, 2014 ACM Awards, and 2013 NSAI Awards. Additional #1’s include Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” and “Drink On It.” Alexander’s career skyrocketed with her song “The Climb,” recorded by Miley Cyrus, which won the 2009 MTV Movie Award for ‘Best Song From A Movie.’ Jessi continues paving new roads in the country music industry including co-writing gospel song ‘Savior’s Shadow’ with Blake Shelton and Jon Randall. She also penned the title track of Tim McGraw’s latest album “That Damn Country.” She has participated in countless areas of the industry including songwriting, performing, film and television, and the 2014 release of her own album, ‘Down Home.’

CONTACT: Heather McVay, special events and recognition coordinator, Covenant Foundation, (806) 725-6020 or heather.mcvay@stjoe.org.

About Covenant Health:
Covenant Health has served for almost 100 years as the only faith-based integrated health network in the West Texas, eastern New Mexico region providing a Christian healing ministry. Covenant’s network includes six hospitals, more than 1,000 licensed beds, more than 5,000 employees, 97 primary care providers, a medical staff of more than 600 physicians at its cornerstone facilities, and a regionally based health plan – FirstCare — offering high-quality affordable healthcare coverage. To learn more about Covenant Health, please visit covenanthealth.org.

(News release from Covenant Health System)