Russell Dickerson has been tapped as the latest CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador to stand up for equitable music education initiatives across the U.S. The CMA Foundation is the Country Music Association’s philanthropic arm.
Growing up with both parents active in the arts—his mom is a music teacher and his dad is a choir director—Russell has experienced first-hand the meaningful effects music education has on a young person’s life. He said, “I've never not been a student of music, and started out in children's choir at church. My mom was my 4th grade music teacher, and I was in band from 6th grade to senior year. I look back on my school years and get choked up sometimes thinking about some of my incredible teachers. They're making a huge impact on the lives of their students whether they see it or not. Music education is the foundation and backbone of everything I am today.”
As a CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador, Russell will take the stage from the Grand Ole Opry Saturday (May 8th) in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, which started yesterday (Monday, May 3rd). The show will benefit the CMA Foundation, which supports music education across the U.S. and will be livestreamed on Circle TV’s Opry Live and various other platforms. Viewers will be invited to donate to the CMA Foundation by texting TEACHERS to 707070. Russell will be joined by Jamey Johnson & Randy Houser, Chris Lane and Steve Wariner.