“My dad has Parkinson’s disease; he’s had Parkinson’s for more than 30 years. He was diagnosed when he was 47 years old. When your family is struck by this disease, where do you look — you look to Michael J. Fox. I’m just so grateful for Michael really showing the way and being a north star for all of us,” said Willie Geist, host of NBC’s Sunday Today and MJFF Board Member as he spoke on the red carpet of The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s (MJFF) “A Country Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s” event.  

On Wednesday, April 16, over 1,100 guests gathered at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee for MJFF’s sold-out event. Attendees joined and celebrated the enormous progress in Parkinson’s research to date, including recent scientific breakthrough discoveries propelling new and better treatments forward. 

#ACountryThing was a legendary and star-studded evening, bringing together guests for an evening filled with country music, comedy and a delicious cocktail menu curated by local Chef Philip Krajeck of Rolf and Daughters. Host Willie Geist opened the show with heartfelt remarks. Little Big Town kicked off the show with a high-energy performance of five hit songs including “Girl Crush” and “Boondocks.” Nine-time GRAMMY winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Sheryl Crow took to the stage to introduce Little Big Town member, Kimberly Schlapman, who provided heartfelt remarks on her family’s journey caring for her mom who has lived with the disease for nearly two decades. 

In a touching moment, Team Human Powered Potential (Team HPP) members, Brendan Cusick, Peter Durso, Scott Forman and Patrick Morrissey joined the stage while the crowd applauded in response to the Foundation’s short film, written and produced by Foundation Board member and Michael’s longtime producing partner, Nelle Fortenberry. The audience was moved by Team HPP’s inspirational remarks and the film’s spotlight on the record-breaking $41 million raised by the crew last summer while rowing from Monterey, California to Kauai, Hawaii — all to advance MJFF’s mission to find a cure. 

The night continued with a-list performances including a light-hearted comedy set by Nashville-based comedian, Dusty Slay, who had guests laughing in their seats. Chris Stapleton, 11-time GRAMMY winner, amazed the audience with a set list including major hits, “You Should Probably Leave,” “Staring Over,” “Joy of My Life,” “Broken Halo,” and “Tennessee Whiskey.” The audience was on their feet for a finale comprised of Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton performing a rendition of “Johnny Be Goode,” by Chuck Berry.  

Willie Geist joined MJFF CEO and Co-Founder Debi Brooks and Michael J. Fox in conversation as they gave thanks to MJFF’s community of people, families, researchers and supporters each playing a role to speed better Parkinson’s treatments and a cure. Brooks provided an update on the tremendous advances in science that are leading to monumental new treatments and will produce more results in the next five years, expressing gratitude for every contribution. 

Since its inception in 2000, MJFF has funded over $2.5 billion in high-impact research programs, and the Foundation’s third event in Nashville raised over $1 million, with 100 percent of proceeds from the evening going directly to speed the Foundation’s global research programs.  

#ACountryThing special guests in attendance included Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes; Alicia Witt; Sheryl Crow; Senator Bill and Mrs. Tracy Frist; Scott Hamilton; and many more. 

Speaking exclusively with Entertainment Tonight, Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman interviewed Michael J. Fox on the secret to his optimism and advice for people and families like hers on the lived Parkinson’s journey.   

On his gratitude for the Foundation’s scientific leaps forward being felt across the community and the promise that lies ahead, Michael shared exclusively:  

“We’re in business to go out of business. Truly what I’m most proud of, is the people who have Parkinson’s. And I think I can say this, hopefully with humility and sincerity, if I made it easier for people to explain what they’re dealing with, to say well, it’s the thing Michael J. Fox has — then that’s a great gift.”  

Watch more of Michael’s reflections in his exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight here.  

The evening was made possible by event sponsors, Blake and Jennifer Bookstaff; Frist Cressey Ventures; Sylva Family/Cachengo; Hendricks Family Foundation/Fibrus; Virginia and Richard Fitzgerald; Kathy Harris; Juliana and Alex Krys; Lipman; Morrell Property Collective; Pinnacle Financial Partners; ONE Community; The Schrieber Family; Christine and Sonny Whelan.  

Check out these top highlights from #ACountryThing.