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Former Fort Scottian to perform benefit concert
To benefit the Mercy Health Center's Foundation Board's Cancer Care Expansion campaign, singer Spencer Lee will perform in concert at June 25 at the Liberty Theatre.
Doors open doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. The title for the former Fort Scott resident's concert is "Dream Big." Music industry colleagues Windy Wagner, Ken Stacey, Chris Price and Ryan Peterson will perform with Lee.
Lee is well known for his musical talents throughout the four-state area. At age of 9, Lee began performing with Show Biz Kids organized by Shelley VanShaar in Pittsburg, Kan., and in Branson with the Triple Threat Troupe.
For many years, he participated in Pittsburg Idol and Fort Scott Idol, as well as similar Idol competitions in Kansas and Missouri. Lee was heavily involved in Fort Scott High School musicals and many vocal competitions across the state, a news release said.
Since moving to Los Angeles just after his high school graduation last May, Lee has sung professionally on productions for Disney, Apple, American Idol and has performed as an extra on the international television show, Glee and national television show, Greek, and is currently focusing on landing a recording contract in Los Angeles.
Lee wrote the pivotal song for the ABC Family TV movie to be released in August called "Teen Spirit" which Lindsay Shaw will sing on camera. He also performed background vocals for Gwyneth Paltrow at the 83rd Academy Awards.
"I'm looking forward to seeing all the familiar faces in Kansas," Lee said in the release. "I hope all my friends and family can come out and support me and Mercy."
"I was brought into this world 19 years ago at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott. Today, it is my privilege to perform this charity concert to benefit the hospital and the patients they serve in my home town," added Lee.
"The phrase 'Dream Big' is important to live by," Lee continued. "Anyone with goals and aspirations should make this their battle cry. I'm going to continue to 'Dream Big' for the rest of my life."
Wagner and Stacey are professional singer /songwriters in Los Angeles. Wagner is currently a background vocalist for GLEE, toured with kd lang, and has been in music industry since the age of 5. Stacey, an American Idol vocal coach, has toured with Elton John and with Michael Jackson during Jackson's "This Is It" tour. Guitarist Chris Price and drummer Ryan Peterson will accompany the trio.
Tickets are still available for the June 25 event. Outlets include: Mercy Health for Life; Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce; Country Cupboard; Pretty Posh Boutique; and Shirt Shack. Tickets are $25 each for lower level; $20 each for upper level. T-shirts and autographed 8"x10"photographs of Spencer will be available for purchase at the concert.
All proceeds will support the relocation and expansion of Mercy's Cancer Care Unit of Hope. Mercy Health Center Marketing and Development Director Christina Rockhold said $145,000 in contributions have been received and slightly more than $45,000 in pledges are on the way.
In June 2008, Mercy Health Center opened a Fort Scott branch of the Cancer Center of Kansas, bringing cancer care to patients in the area. Over the past three years, the demand for chemotherapy treatment in Fort Scott has grown. The current location lacks adequate space for patients 'chemotherapy treatments, infusions, appointments with oncologists and waiting area for caregivers. So in September 2010 the Mercy Health Center Foundation Board launched a $250,000 fundraising campaign to expand and relocate the current cancer treatment area.
"The foundation greatly appreciates Spencer's and the other musicians' giving of their time and talent to put on this benefit concert in support of cancer care in Fort Scott," said Dr. Woody Grantham, Foundation Board president. "Further, we especially thank Shepherd Team Auto Plaza for defraying the costs of bringing the performers to Fort Scott, the Liberty Theatre and Jim and Paulette Smith for providing the venue and KOMB/KMDO for in kind air time to get the word out about this exciting event."
"As the people of our community so often do, they have responded generously to our campaign," Grantham stated. "Mercy Health Center Auxiliary almost immediately recognized the need to expand our cancer care unit and donated $60,000 and Mercy Physician Group quickly added $20,000. A more recent donation of $20,000 has been made in memory of Charlotte Lunt, a long time friend of the foundation and chairperson of the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days for many years. This donation was made possible through the Key Charitable Trust and previously received memorial funds in Charlotte's name from husband Ken, family and friends."
"Although much progress toward our goal has been made, we are not there yet," Grantham said. "We hope that the 'Dream Big' concert will be just the ticket to propel us over the top."
For more information about the "Dream Big" concert or Mercy's Cancer Care Unit of Hope expansion, call the Mercy Development Office at (620) 223-8094.