Jake Owen‘s 13 years of consistent contributions to St. Jude was honored on the 26th of January, Saturday night with the St. Jude Angels Among Us Award. The award was given during the 30th annual Country Cares event in Memphis and it hosted about 1,000 members of the country music industry.

This latest accolade might just be his most meaningful. The “Down to the Honkytonk” singer has spoken highly about his duty to support the causes that St. Jude propagates. He feels like he’s just picking up what country music stars have done since 1989.

“I’ve always believed that country music is songs for the family, songs for the people. Common folk. And I believe that it just goes hand in hand with the mission for St. Jude, as far as lending a helping hand. I think you hear those types of sentiments in a lot of country songs. I think they’re just relatable.”

Giving Back

More than $800 million has been raised through St. Jude Country Cares radio-thons and events. Owen has even participated in some, including golf tournaments and concerts held in his native Florida.

“I feel like that’s our duty as a country music entertainer. It’s not just singing songs for people and entertaining. It’s what we do with the platform that we’ve so luckily been given … How do you help people? How do you give back? I know that by being an example and being a leader in that, hopefully others will follow. That’s what I was taught by guys like Randy and so many others that have come before me.”

Owen joined singer Randy Owen, Clint Black and Michael Ray after accepting the award. Previous recipients of the Angels Among Us Award include Brad Paisley, John Rich and Darius Rucker. Posthumous awards went to former ALSAC Chief Operating Officer David McKee and St. Jude Country Cares Advisory Board member Sharon Eaves.