Mitchell Tenpenny Reflects on Opry Benefit Show for 10Penny Fund and New Cancer Support Community Partnership

Mitchell Tenpenny is still coming down from the high of last night’s special show at the Grand Ole Opry. The country star united with the 10Penny Fund, several artist friends and the historic venue to raise awareness for the emotional, social and mental health support needed by patients and families facing a cancer diagnosis.

He caught up with Country Now the following morning to reflect on the memorable evening and the incredible support that made it all possible.

Over the years, Tenpenny has continued to raise awareness and funds through live concerts, sporting events, merchandise sales and his annual October fundraiser. This year, he decided to take the event to the next level, trading in his usual Cornhole Tournament for a special night at the Grand Ole Opry.

“I was like, this could be the perfect opportunity to really continue to spread awareness to the fund and what we do in a different way than just the Cornhole thing. So it was just like, alright, this is going to be a little more challenging, but we’ve got to do it because they’re letting us, which is crazy,” Tenpenny admitted.

The Opry also donated $5 from every ticket sold to the 10Penny Fund, and fans filled the venue to support the cause and enjoy a star-studded lineup curated by Mitchell. The night featured Opry member Chris Young, along with Lee Brice, Devin Dawson, Ernest, Sierra Hull, Jackie Lee and Jo Dee Messina.

Plus, in order to fulfill Tenpenny’s mission of having people with real stories and close connections to cancer to be a part of the night too, Macy Page, a cancer survivor and sister-in-law to music artist Thomas Rhett was invited to serve as guest announcer.

“When I went back there to talk to Macy and met her family, that’s the kind of thing that I want people to see, the joy in somebody that’s defeated cancer, that’s gone through it, that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Somebody could see her face, hear her voice and have hope, that’s what it’s all about,” Tenpenny reflected.

One of the evening’s standout moments came during the second half, when Tenpenny, Lee Brice, Ernest and Devin Dawson took part in a songwriter’s round. This was a rare format for the Opry, as it has only been featured a handful of times throughout the venue’s more than 100-year history. Tenpenny made sure to highlight the special portion of the show, which gave each of the artists a chance to share the stories and inspiration behind their songs in a more stripped-down setting.

“Getting up there with some of my buddies and doing that and then having Chris Young close the night out. It was just truly special.”

Along with all the epic performances, Mitchell Tenpenny was proud to announce the launch of his partnership with Cancer Support Community (CSC), a global nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and strengthening people affected by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.

The Tennessee native initially founded the 10Penny Fund in 2018, inspired by his personal experience with seeing how cancer can impact a family after losing his father to the disease in 2014. Since then, he has witnessed several more family members get diagnosed with cancer and face the emotional hardship that comes along with that.

He has seen firsthand how there is not enough access or information regarding a space for people to get help for their mental health while battling the disease.  

“I feel like my dad, if he had mental health or it wasn’t so taboo or whatever at the time, it would’ve been a different story. I truly believe that. And especially as I get older, just mental health in general, not just for cancer, but in general, it’s so important these days. We have so much coming at us at all times in this new world with technology and everything. And we need to know that it’s okay to ask for help and to have someone to talk to.”

This is a cause that has become a big focus of his, in hopes of helping not only those with cancer, but also their family members to get the help and support that they need. When he found out about CSC’s work, there was no doubt that it was the perfect fit.

Formed in 2009 through the merger of The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide, CSC provides trusted emotional, social, and practical support at no cost by connecting patients and their families with experienced licensed professionals, safe in-person and online communities, and comprehensive resources.

“When we found that out, I was like, ‘This is perfect. Let’s do it.’ Met Lisa and she’s so amazing and had the same vision and truly wants to save lives and help people. And so it was just like, ‘Alright, man, this is a God thing. It’s timing up perfectly’,” Tenpenny added.

CSC serves as the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States and offers no-cost emotional, social, and mental health support, including through the Cancer Support Helpline at CSC-867-5309 (272-867-5309).

During the event, the 10Penny Fund also presented CSC with a $110,000 donation onstage.

Since 2018, the fund has been stacking up donations while Tenpenny vowed not to spend a cent of it until figuring out exactly where the money would be going. Now that they have found the right home to partner with, he plans to keep the donations going and continuing to help as much as possible.

Chris Young also generously donated an extra $25,000 to the 10Penny Fund, adding to his many past donations to the fund.

“I was blown away by everyone’s generosity and just their hearts, man…You need to be reminded that there’s a lot of good in this world and that was awesome.”

Once the main event wrapped up, a post-show event was held in Studio A, where Tenpenny performed a few additional songs and sat down for a Q&A with WSM personality Charlie Mattos. The special moment also featured a surprise appearance from his wife, Meghan Patrick, who joined him onstage to perform “Golden Child.”

Looking back to when the fund was first stated, the “Ain’t My Problem” singer shared that his music was gaining great momentum at the time and knowing that he was growing a platform bigger than himself along the way, he wanted to put it to good use.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Grand Ole Opry (@opry)

He and his team got to work in creating his very own charity that would provide cancer patients and their families with valuable support beyond traditional medical treatment by investing in programs focused on healing, encouragement and community.

“I just think when you’re getting opportunities and blessings, you got to give it back. And like I said, it’s just not about us. We just play guitar and get to sing. It’s awesome, it’s fun, but it’s such a bigger picture. And I was like, if I have any voice to say anything at all, I don’t like to talk about a lot of things as far as the world, I want everybody to live their life the way they want to live it, but if I’m going to spread something, I want it to be something that I truly care about.”

“And losing my father sucked. So I wanted people to know that there’s mental health available. And as I get older, we all need it,” Tenpenny added.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cancer Support Community (@cancersupporthq)

The full total from the Opry’s $5-per-ticket donation has not yet been tallied, but it’s safe to say the night was a meaningful success. Filled with heartfelt moments, generosity, great music and an important cause, the event brought people together to support a mission that hits close to home for Tenpenny.

“It was a night just full of music and for a great cause. And the partnership that we finally got, it was awesome because we now know where the money’s going, how we’re going to use the money to make sure we’re going to save lives…To do it at the Opry was the perfect place and venue and that’s why we decided to do it all there.”

“It was such a special night and I’m just still pinching myself this morning that it was real,” Tenpenny added.