***Opinions and content are my own and in no way affiliated with Bobby Bones, The Bobby Bones Show, or iHeart Media***
When syndicated country radio star Bobby Bones takes the stage with his sidekick “Producer” Eddie Garcia, and his band “The Raging Idiots” for their 7th Million Dollar Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, he will have inched a step closer to raising $25 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to date. Assuming a normal charitable ratio of dollars to project good done with them, that would be over $100 million of societal benefit – no small feat for, as Bones often says, “just a dumb comedy band.”
The ticket link to this year’s Million Dollar Show on April 3rd: here.
Both the trajectory of the donations Bones’ team has garnered as well as the star power that has come out to the mid-week show to raise money is nothing short of astounding. Starting from a baseline of $1 million raised in 2014, now reaching $22 million, the sky is the limit given Bones’ trademark dogged efforts and drive for consistency.
How did we get here?
Let’s take a look show by show, million by million.
Million Dollar Show 1: December 7, 2015
The inaugural show was billed as a celebration of The Raging Idiots having exceeded $1 million in donations raised via their songs, shows, and tour stops. At the time, marketing materials provide the total donations leading into the Million Dollar Show at $1.5 million. The musical lineup for the evening featured Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Brett Eldridge, and others.
Million Dollar Show 2: January 9, 2017
Show #2 was a fabulous encore – filled with the drama of host Bobby Bones’ comeback from a bout with the flu during the days leading up to the big night, featuring another star-studded lineup that included A-listers Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett, and, lastly, culminating with the GOAT himself, Garth Brooks (duh), handing Bones a check for $2 million for St. Jude.
According to reports at the time, The Raging Idiots total charitable donations had now reached nearly $6 million.
Million Dollar Show 3: January 22, 2018
Now reaching past the $7 million mark for St. Jude, Million Dollar Show #3 showcased the talents of powerhouses Keith Urban and Darius Rucker. Interesting side note: Luke Combs was also in the lineup, but only as a “second tier” billing on the show’s advertising. Hot take: MDS #3 catapulted Combs’ modern day success. (I’m joking, of course)
Million Dollar Show 4: January 14, 2019
The stars were out to raise money, again, for Bones and St. Jude in 2019. Million Dollar Show #4 was headlined by Luke Bryan, Lady A (back then the whole name), and alternative/pop act Three Doors Down. The total donations to charity at the conclusion of show 4 have now reached in excess of $8 million.
Million Dollar Show 5: January 13, 2020
Who says shows didn’t happen in 2020?
Bones and The Raging Idiots braved the kinda-pre-COVID waters to host their charity event just as the pandemic was poised to lock the US in early 2020. The event’s top performers were Brooks and Dunn and Kane Brown. At the bottom of the show’s marketing posters is a third-tier listing for (then) up-and-coming singer/songwriter Lainey Wilson. Another star propelled by a MDS??? (hahah)
Leading into a COVID-induced two year hiatus after this show, the total money raised by Bones and team is now in excess of $11 million to date.
Million Dollar Show 6: February 21, 2023
They’re back…now boasting donations of over $20 million!!!
Not only have the donations increased substantially for the period the MDS went AWOL between show 5 and 6, for the first time the Million Dollar Show was broadcast on Circle TV in April 2023. The show’s lineup included Parker McCollum, Tracy Lawrence, and Michelle Branch.
Next Up:
Million Dollar Show 7: April 3, 2024
Back at the Ryman and poised to push the total donations raised for St. Jude well over $22 million, this year’s Million Dollar Show includes performances by Sam Hunt, John Pardi, Ben Rector, and Edwin McCain. Tickets will undoubtedly sellout in advance of the show but are still available as of this publication.
Whether attending the shows or just loving everything Bones is doing on the radio, in writing NYT bestselling books, or poking fun at this athletic ability during his “Too Much Access” shows, fans understand that Bones personifies consistency – showing up with a great attitude in everything you do in order to be successful.
It should be no surprise, then, that there will certainly be layers of consistency on display during April’s 3rd Million Dollar Show – the consistent stream of musical talent that will take the stage, The Raging Idiots self-deprecating humor throughout, the majestic beauty of the Ryman Auditorium, and, most importantly, the MILLIONS of dollars that will be used to save kids’ lives at St. Jude.
Raising a $1 million is impressive, raising $10 million is amazing, nearly $25 million and growing is simply Bobby Bones being, well, Bobby Bones.
To support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, click here.
