Scotty McCreery Guides Fellow Country Music Singers In Touching ‘Angels Among Us’ Cover

Mar 23, 2023

"Angels Among Us" was originally written by the American country band Alabama. The group, best known for their singles "Love in the First Degree," "Mountain Music" and "Dixieland Delight" gained popularity in the 1980s. Celebrated for its mix of country rock with elements of bluegrass, folk and gospel, Alabama evolved over the course of its career from a bar circuit band to a genre-defining group. 

The group released dozens of albums before disbanding in 2004. Years later, the band reunited in 2010 and again began touring as well as releasing new music. In 2019, Alabama was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame.

Through their success, the band was also noted for having both a fan-oriented as well as a philanthropic stance. Often pairing with local charities to raise both awareness as well as funds, they used their star power and status to bring attention to important issues. One organization that Alabama often supported was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Founded in 1962, the nonprofit focuses on treating young patients who have been diagnosed with particularly catastrophic diseases, such as leukemia or other cancers. With astronomically high operating costs, the research hospital depends on a steady stream of donations in order to keep its doors open. Despite this daily hurdle of funding, St. Jude hospital remains dedicated to providing care without cost to the patient. Since opening, it has managed to push the childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%.

In order to help pay for this incredible medical service, a special new recording of Alabama's "Angels Among Us" was cut in 2017.

Originally released as a country Christmas song, the track has a long history of being covered. Given its lyrical content, the song is often chosen for charity events and Christmas recordings. In 2012, singer Demi Lovato released a cover of "Angels Among Us" to support the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Then in 2018, actress Kristin Chenoweth sang the tune with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during a Christmas concert. 

In 2017, the track most notably had new life breathed into it by a slew of country music's best-known performers. With superstars like Carly Pearce, Hunter Hayes, Brennley Brown, CB30, Jillian Jacqueline, Lucy Hale, RaeLynn, Sara Evans, Scotty McCreery, Tegan Marie and Temecula Road, the song was star-studded as well as for a good cause. 

Spearheaded by McCreery, who is known for his early days on "American Idol," the group recorded a touching rendition of “Angels Among Us” to benefit St. Jude hospital. In collaboration with Radio Disney and Radio Country Disney, McCreery recorded the country classic just in time for Christmas. 

McCreery, who had won the 10th season of the popular reality TV series, was at the time promoting his newest song, "Five More Minutes," and had just signed a new label deal with Triple Tigers Records/Sony Music Entertainment in August 2017.

Outside the recording studio, McCreery also appeared as a contestant on the show, "Celebrity Family Feud." The country star managed to win a whopping $25,000 for the charity of his choosing, which happened to be St. Jude Children's.

When it came to rerecording "Angels Among Us," the young country star was a fitting choice given his existing relationship with the Tennessee nonprofit as well as his place in country music. At the time, McCreery was known for his 2011 debut "Clear As Day" as well as 2012's "Christmas with Scotty McCreery," so he seemed tailored to lead the project. 

In the touching music video, McCreery, along with Evans, Pearce and RaeLynn, could be seen in the studio with some very special guests. The musicians were joined by patients at St. Jude hospital, who took pictures and watched as the ensemble sang this memorable tune. 

Judging by the excitement on some of their faces, viewers could tell that this day in the studio was a dream come true for some of the patients. The children got to meet the artists and spend the whole day watching them record, listening through headphones and playing with the sound equipment — what an incredible gift! Moreover, it was touching to watch those who benefited from the funds raised by the single to be able to partake in its creation. Isn't it amazing what we can do when we all get together?

The version of "Angels Among Us" was played on Radio Disney with a special note to listeners asking them to help raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. It was incredibly successful, and due to the popularity of the song, Disney managed to donate $25,000 to St. Jude hospital, according to the video description. Isn't that awesome?

The truly unique model of St. Jude Research Hospital and the care that the facility is able to provide is part of what made this single and the funds it raised so special.

Of the patients admitted to St. Jude, reportedly "more than 50 percent of our patients are under- or uninsured." Due to the severity of their illness, the cost of care, as well a myriad of other reasons, St. Jude sees children whose "care can surpass more than $1 million." For this reason, St. Jude operates on a philosophy that demands that "no family ever (receive) a bill from St. Jude for care and no family is asked to pay co-pays or deductibles," which allows for care to be prioritized over cost. 

In order to achieve this incredible level of care, St. Jude donations are largely directed toward medical costs. Specifically, "82 cents of every dollar received from donations, research grants, insurance recoveries and investment returns goes to support the current and future needs of St. Jude." 

This dedication makes the success of McCreery and company's "Angels Among Us" all the more heartwarming. It was great to see such successful young artists lend their time and talents to such a worthy cause. And to look just so happy to be involved as well. 

Because of the sacrifice of these amazing singers and their collaboration with Radio Disney, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was able to make a huge step in the fight against childhood cancer. 

You can watch their sweet music video and see the truly amazing time each musician had recording this very special song alongside their audience of extra special listeners. 

What was your favorite moment from the music video? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends and family, as well as any fellow Scotty McCreery fans!