WCNC

Slideshow: Bucky Covington joins country stars at charity concert

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A concert for a good cause on Tuesday night brought former “American Idol” finalist Bucky Covington back to his home state, where he performed alongside some of the biggest names in country music.

Covington -- along with other country stars like Travis Tritt, Jake Owen and Mark Wills – donated their time for a charity concert to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

“St. Jude has a really great relationship with the country music industry,” said Ashley Cannaday, senior event marketing representative for St. Jude’s. “Most if not every artist here has visited the hospital, so they’re aware of what the cause is.”

Bucky Covington: On N.C. and the fans

Last year’s event raised roughly $11,000, and Cannaday said she expected to raise even more this year.

After an acoustic performance from Travis Tritt, Covington, Owen, Wills, Keith Anderson and Jennifer Hanson held a meet-and-greet backstage with fans whose names were drawn in a lottery.

Cecily Trull of Monroe was one of those lucky winners. She had Covington and the other performers sign her cowboy boots.

“This is the first thing I’ve ever won in my life,” said Trull, 18, after having her photo taken with everyone.

Trull said she was thrilled to meet the country stars, but she tried to stay not to let their celebrity faze her.

“They’re all people; everybody’s equal,” she said. “They’re people just like us.”

And maybe Bucky Covington’s just a little more “like us.” The Rockingham, N.C., native said one of the best parts about coming back home is seeing his family. He had a special message to his local fans.

“Thank you to all the fans around Charlotte and everything for all the help you gave me,” Covington told WCNC during a sound check Tuesday. “For all the help you gave me when I was on ‘Idol’… for requesting my song, requesting my video, going to the Web sites and checking everything. God bless you very much, and thank you for letting me do what I get to do.”