Garth Brooks To Receive George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award For Caring and Compassion

Country music legend Garth Brooks has been named the first-ever recipient of the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

August 21, 2019

Garth Brooks; Photo Courtesy the Artist

Country music legend Garth Brooks has been named the first-ever recipient of the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for Caring and Compassion.

According to a press release, the award was created “to honor outstanding individuals who advance solutions to the world’s toughest challenges and exemplify the extraordinary traits of its late founder and the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush.”

Brooks will receive the honor this fall at the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Gala, which will be held Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.

“Garth is one of our generation’s true singer and songwriter legends – but what many people aren’t aware of, is Garth’s commitment and passion for creating viable change in communities across America,” shared Neil Bush, chairman of Points of Light. “My father always admired the way Garth used his visibility to support and lift up those in need. And much like my father, Garth is a true humanitarian whose generosity comes from his empathetic compassion for others.”

“The fact that this award is a reflection of 41, his beloved Barbara, and the work they believed in is the greatest honor,” Garth Brooks stated. “An award is only as good as its recipient – my hope and goal is to make the Bush family and the Honorary Chairs proud that Garth Brooks is the first name on this award for caring and compassion.”

Presidents George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama will serve as honorary chairs of The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Gala, while Lauren Bush Lauren, granddaughter of President Bush, and Ray Chambers, founding chairman of the Points of Light Foundation, are the co-chairs of the upcoming Awards Gala.

Garth Brooks is the co-founder of the Teammates for Kids Foundation and a longtime Habitat for Humanity volunteer. His charitable efforts also span from supporting St. Jude Children’s Hospital, to aiding Nashville after the tragic flood of 2010 and much more.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.