Kris Kristofferson to headline event in Santa Claus

Kris Kristofferson, Shawn Camp (with special guest) and David Murphy and Friends will headline a very special event to be held in Santa Claus, Indiana on Saturday, May 18.

Yes, you read that right.

Kris Kristofferson, famous actor, award-winning short story writer, Golden Gloves boxer, Rhodes Scholar, songwriter, helicopter pilot, folk and country music performer, Country Music Hall of Famer, Golden Globe winner, etc., etc., etc. is coming to Santa Claus to perform at Big Tree Farm for a fund-raiser to end all fund-raisers.

The venue is almost as exciting as the line-up.

The beneficiary, even more so.

And the host? Why the host is as fascinating as they come.

Jasper native Ed Ewing is owner of Big Tree Farm and the force behind this Party With A Purpose.

Ewing is a wildly successful businessman with concerns across the globe.

That is common knowledge.

What may be less known is his genuine compassion and willingness to give back. He especially supports charities involving children with cancer and other terminal diseases, as well as children’s charities for those who are less fortunate.

Like he was.

Ed Ewing grew up poor. His family didn’t even own a car, something he has rectified a hundred fold as an adult.

The fund-raiser this Saturday benefits the Shalom Foundation and the Pediatric Surgery Center in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Ewing is hosting this event on behalf of his friend, Steve Moore, who by day serves as Chief Executive Officer of Country Music Association Inc., the organization that promotes country music across the globe with over 11,000 members and three television stations under his direction.

Why a children’s surgery center in Guatemala?

Moore went on a mission trip to the Central American country in 1998.

He was moved to tears by the abject poverty, where the poorest of the poor families have no way to care for their children who are ill.

As a result, he was involved in building this unique and high tech surgery center 12 years ago.

It is staffed with nurses and pediatricians but surgical teams come in on a rotating basis from children’s hospitals across the U.S., including Vanderbilt, Dallas and Denver Children’s Hospitals.

The teams provide different types of surgery, from urological restructuring to orthopedic surgery to cleft palate repair.

The permanent staff assists after surgery, teaching families how to care for their children post-op.

The center provides all medications, instructions and support and even housing for family members at no cost.

Moore relishes the reactions of mothers and fathers when they enter the center with their child for the first time. “They can’t believe it,” he explains. “They live in dirt-floored huts with thatched roofs and they walk into this beautiful Children’s Hospital …. the emotion is beautiful.”

What else is beautiful?

Big Tree Farm.

Over the years, Ewing has hosted many fund-raisers for a variety of charities at his expansive Santa Claus property. There is The Diner, where cocktails will be served. pre-concert at 5 p.m. CDT. A study in classic red, black and white with neon stripes wrapping the drop ceiling above the bar, the attached garage houses Ewing’s stellar car collection, including a ’52 Jaguar that is to die for and a Bentley or Rolls Royce (something lovely crafted in the 1930s at any rate) once owned by John D. Rockefeller.

A tour of this Classic Car Museum is included for attendees, followed by dinner in what the Ewings call The Barn, an expansive space more resembling a country-style nightclub featuring an intimate stage, all the equipment first class musicians could want, a side room for pool and games, a bar, even a disco ball and strategically placed fog machines.

The all-you-can-eat menu will feature steak and fried chicken with appropriate trimmings (catered by the Schnitzelbank) with an open bar (manned by staff from the Headquarters).

Ewing notes four private airplanes will be flying in from Texas, two from Canada and one from Florida for the charity event.

In fact, his original goal was to raise $100,000 by offering 20 tables (each seating eight) at $5,000 apiece.

Ewing and his wife, Linda, who are underwriting all expenses for the fund-raiser, met that goal and decided to offer an additional 20 tables for the same price.

This is the opportunity of a lifetime to enjoy an unforgettable evening while helping those who are truly in need. At the end of the evening, four VIP tickets to the next Country Music Awards, complete with back stage passes will be auctioned off, as well as a guitar autographed by Kris Kristofferson himself.

Dress is farm barn party appropriate.

Oh, one more thing.

A crew from the Discovery Channel will be on-site next Wednesday through Saturday filming an episode of Million Dollar Collection featuring Ewing’s amazing autos. They will also film the benefit concert.

Neither Ewing nor Moore finds it unusual to dedicate so much time, talent and money to others. According to Moore, Ed has spent his while life giving back for children.

“For whatever reason,” Ewing explains, “God put us on Earth and he blessed some more than others with financial success.”

To him it only makes sense to do what he can.

In addition to his work for children with illnesses, Ewing has built ranches in Alabama for abused children. For these children he tries “to instill that net worth is NOT our self worth. We want to get them to adulthood knowing they are worthy in their own eyes and the eyes of God.”

The 20 additional tables are on sale now, but call post haste as they may go fast. The cut-off is next Wednesday, May 15.

To reserve a table or for more information, contact Alison Bender, Executive Director of the Shalom Foundation at 615-397 4547 or Linda Holland, secretary for Ed Ewing at 214-756-6262.