Stapleton fundraiser concert downtown at the Ellis

Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music and the Ellis Theater will welcome Chris Stapleton for two exclusive fundraising performances this Saturday, April 12, at the historic Ellis Theater downtown.

All proceeds from these special concerts will support the construction of the Congress of Country Music’s Community Hall—a gathering space within the world-class country music museum and performing arts center that aims to welcome and inspire all.

“Chris Stapleton is one of the finest artists of our time,” said Stuart, Grammy-winning Country Music Hall of Famer and founder of the Congress of Country Music. “To have Chris Stapleton perform at the Ellis Theater, in the heart of my hometown, is an honor and a moment we will never forget. We are thankful that Chris has so graciously donated his time to help raise money for the Congress of Country Music.”

These concerts are a key part of the Congress’s continued development, helping to ensure its future place as a lasting cultural institution.

“This is exactly what I envisioned for the Congress of Country Music,” Stuart added. “Bringing the best of country music to Philadelphia, Mississippi, in a way that is personal, meaningful, and unforgettable. This fundraiser brings us one step closer to completing that vision.”

Stapleton will perform at 5 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available through the Ellis Theater Box Office, ellistheater.org, or ticketmaster.com.

An anonymous donor has generously purchased an allotment of tickets to be given to select recipients of this special event.

Beneficiaries include a 12-year-old cancer survivor through Make-A-Wish, a cancer survivor and nursing student, a couple raising a child with Down Syndrome who also provide free support to other families, and individuals devoted to The Refuge of MS, a day program for special needs adults.

Additional tickets were donated to HOSA–Future Health Care Professionals, part of the Philadelphia/Neshoba County Career Technical Center. These will be used as a prize to help send 24 students to a national competition in June, held in Nashville.

Before Stapleton’s performances, audiences can enjoy live music from Grace Bowers, Brittney Spencer, and local artist Jax Moore during the Congressional Sessions—a showcase of legendary icons, chart-topping artists, and rising stars—presented by Pearl River Resort.

Stapleton’s two performances at the Ellis will also be simulcast live on a 22-foot high-definition video wall outside the theater. Gates open at 12 p.m.

The Congressional Sessions will become an annual fundraising tradition, taking place in front of the Ellis Theater on Byrd Avenue. All proceeds will support the continued construction and completion of the Congress of Country Music.

“The Congressional Sessions is more than just a show – it’s a celebration of country music’s legacy and future, held right here in my hometown,” Stuart said. “This event will bring together artists and fans in a way that honors our roots while paving the way for what is to come. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to Philadelphia, Mississippi, for this special occasion.”