Photo By Sgt. A.M. LaVey | Country musician Big Kenny performs for service members based in Haiti, at the...... read more read more
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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Country musician Big Kenny is scheduled to perform 10 shows for service members based here Feb. 2 — 4.
This is actually the second trip to Haiti for William Kenneth Alphin, professionally known as Big Kenny, half of the country music duo, Big and Rich. He had come down earlier searching for a friend of his who had been staying in the Hotel Montana when the Jan. 12 earthquake rocked the island.
"Having been here and seeing the disaster that had happened and seeing all of our U.S. forces who had come in to help out and all the aid workers, I was moved to want to come back," said Big Kenny.
After being home "for a few weeks, I knew that there were so many people who had been down here the whole time and I just wanted to come provide a little musical relief and hopefully bring some smiles and thanks to everyone for being here and helping the Haitian people out," said Big Kenny.
During Big Kenny's first trip to the island, he brought much-needed relief supplies and a team of search and rescue and medical personnel.
"We came down here with the intention to help," said Big Kenny. "I have a fire and rescue background and I'm a farm boy, so there is really nothing I can't fix or do and I can take care of myself."
His team provided relief at the Hotel Montana, assisted at a nursing home and helped to install water filtration systems in orphanages and schools.
Big Kenny is no stranger to helping others in need. In 2005 he became aware of the incidents that were happening in Darfur, Sudan. So when he had found musical success and acquired financial resources, he flew to Sudan with 23 cases of aid, medical supplies and musical instruments.
Love everybody. That is the motto that he lives by, preaches and is also what motivates Big Kenny to help.
This "is what my heart tells me to do. I don't have no choice, I can't fight it and I can't change the feelings I have," said Big Kenny. If "I've got something - I want to do something with it."
Big Kenny is here in Haiti, serving those who dedicate their lives to serving others.
"I just want [the service members] to know, as a performer and as a citizen, I appreciate what you are doing and I want to encourage you all to keep up the good work," said Big Kenny.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2010 19:44 |
| Story ID: | 46166 |
| Location: | PORT-AU-PRINCE, HT |
| Web Views: | 298 |
| Downloads: | 252 |
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