Tex-Mex Fiesta Honoring Gene Jones

 

Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta 2022

The Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta co-chairs Alana Stewart and Jaclyn Smith led the 2022 event at The Rustic in Dallas, Texas this year, as opposed to their usual Beverly Hills location. Attended by more than 350 guests from Hollywood and Dallas, this event raised funds for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge and Stand Up To Cancer. 

The Rustic was transformed with floating pinatas, colorful lanterns, and mariachis for the fiesta-themed event, designed and produced by The James Group. Guests sat under a starry Texas sky at festive tablescapes as they enjoyed endless margaritas and Tex-Mex food (Farrah’s favorite). 

Alana Stewart, Linda Gray, Jaclyn Smith, George Hamilton

Guests were greeted with an opening performance by Sydney Sherrill and stylish gift bags provided by Neiman Marcus. The burlap totes were filled with several full-sized luxury products: Retrouve’s face serum, Sobel Skin moisture cream, a Knesko Nanogold Repair face mask, eyeshadow by Nude Envie, and Sisley mascara. Also included was a signed copy of Linda Gray’s ‘The Road to Happiness' and a bag of Tom’s Perfect 10 Ginger Zing Granola.

Alana Stewart, Sheryl Crow

The evening program began with co-chairs Alana Stewart, CEO and President of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, and Jaclyn Smith, former “Charlie’s Angels” co-star with Farrah Fawcett, introducing the emcee of the event, George Hamilton. The crowd was immediately engaged by Hamilton's charm, wit, endearing sense of humor, and famous tan. After capturing all the philanthropic hearts, Hamilton introduced Dr. Lawrence Piro, Fawcett’s former oncologist and Chief Medical Advisor for the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, who gave insight into the importance of the evening’s fundraising efforts. 

Jaclyn Smith presented the “Angel Award” to Dallas’ beloved award-winning actress, Linda Gray. Ryan O’Neal was also acknowledged with the Angel Donor Award by Alana Stewart. O’Neal’s son, Patrick O’Neal, accepted the award and shared a heartfelt tribute and letter from his father.

Marjon Henderson, Jonika Nix, Tracy Lange

Other event highlights included a live auction led by Samantha Robinson from Heritage Auctions, with fundraising champions such as lunch with George Hamilton the following day at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and a trip to Las Ventanas in Cabo, Mexico, paired with an elegant necklace from Skibell Fine Jewelry. Also auctioned was a custom-made piece from renowned designer Mark Zunino, as well as an exciting LA package including three nights at the glamorous Beverly Hills Hotel and a dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago.

The star-studded evening brought out nine-time Grammy-Award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, who generously donated her time to the cause. Her long-term relationship with Stand Up To Cancer and personal battle with breast cancer brought another level of intimacy and connection to the evening.

Sheryl Crow

Guests on the Red Carpet: Dr. Brad Allen, Mark Bradford, Sheryl Crow, Allan DiCastro, Patrick Foley, Linda Gray, George Hamilton, Patrick O’Neal, Dr. Lawrence Piro, Tim Quinn, Jaclyn Smith, Alana Stewart and Mark Turnipseed

Local guests included: Sami Abboud, Katy and Lawrence Bock, Jamie Jo Boulogne, Clint Bradley, Andrea Cohen, Betsy and Matt Cooper, Julie and Dayton Conklin, Jessica and Jim Courville, Mitch Davis, Deanna and Dr. Jeremy Denning, Linda Ewing, Lea Fisher, Lauren and Alex Gillan,  Georgina Hartland, Marjon Zabihi Henderson, Kristi and Ron Hoyl, Lindsay and Chuck Jacaman, Kris Johnson, Kylee Kimosh, Kara and John Kratzer, Darin Kunz, Joan Schnitzer Levy, Chelsea and Bryan Milner, Gina and Bob Mimlitch, Niven Morgan, Jonika and Corky Nix, Lisa and Bill Ogle, Brittanie Buchanan Oleniczak, Brent Rodgers, Devin Savage, Kit Sawers,  Stephanie and Michael Seay, Lyn Skibell, Melissa Spencer, Chuck Steelman, Anne and Steve Stodghill, Shelby Wagner and Samantha Wortley. 

The Farrah Fawcett Foundation is grateful to all those who supported the 2022 Tex-Mex Fiesta. Donations can be made here.

Superstar Artist Participation Drives Success of ACM Events Resulting in Record $1.5 Million Donation to ACM Lifting Lives®

Superstar country artists played a key role in the success of the 51^st Academy of Country Music Awards™, ACM Honors and other ACM events in 2016, resulting in a stellar year for the Academy – including reaching 11.7 million viewers with special country music moments during primetime in September alone -- and the highest-ever annual donation to ACM Lifting Lives - $1.5 million.

In April, the 51^st ACM Awards telecast returned to MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with hosts Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, which reached 11.2 million viewers on CBS. And for the first time ever this fall, ACM Honors became a televised special reaching more than 4 million viewers. In addition, the ACM-constructed one-of-a-kind musical collaboration featuring Keith Urban with Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town in the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) telecast reached nearly 8 million viewers. Both specials aired on Friday, September 9, 2016, with SU2C preceding ACM Honors on the CBS Television Network, for a combined viewership of 11.7 million. Ticket proceeds from several 2016 ACM events went to the ACM Lifting Lives donation, among other Academy contributions.

To date the Academy has given over $8 million to ACM Lifting Lives, resulting in more than 100 grants, 75 emergency grants to music industry professionals in need, and partnerships with Music Health Alliance, Seacrest Foundation, St. Jude, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, among many, many others.

“The important work ACM Lifting Lives does in improving lives through the power of music is only possible because of the incredible artists and industry friends who donate their time and talent to ACM events, period,” said Tiffany Moon, ACM EVP/Managing Director. “We will continue to make every charitable dollar we spend stretch to reach those who need it most. It’s a process we all feel privileged to be a part of, and we’re grateful to the ACM and Lifting Lives Boards for their support.” 

PHOTO: [Left to right] Academy of Country Music Officers and ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors: Paul Moore (Parliamentarian), Carmen Romano (Treasurer), Duane Clark (Vice President), Tommy Moore (Secretary), Ken Tucker (Chairman), Lori Badgett (Past ACM Lifting Lives Chairman), Ed Warm (ACM LL Chairman), Ben Vaughn (President), and Tiffany Moon (ACM EVP, Managing Director).

About the Academy of Country Music
Founded in Southern California in 1964, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) is a fan-focused artist and industry-driven organization, providing the financial resources to ensure the on-going philanthropic work of ACM LIFTING LIVES, the charitable arm of the Academy which works to improve lives through the power of music. The Academy has a rich history in the entertainment industry, having been founded when Southern California was a hotbed of emerging country music and when Westerns were a staple of television programing and film production. Comprised of more than 4,900 professional members nationwide, the ACM is headquartered in Encino, Calif. For more information, log onto www.ACMcountry.com or www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

About ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. Through partnerships with artists and strong ties in the music industry, ACM Lifting Lives develops and funds music-related therapy and education programs, and serves members of the community who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. Generous donations and the support of artists and fans ensure ACM Lifting Lives is able to fund everything from disaster relief and helping communities in need, to music education in schools and music camps for those with disabilities, to supporting programs that use music therapy as a means to help our veterans and wounded warriors, while providing grants to help them ease back into life. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.