Musicians' fundraiser shows real heart

By Tom Corwin

Staff Writer

His band was named New Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association this year, and he is up for two Grammy Awards. But Augusta native Charles Kelley gets excited talking about his father, cardiologist John Kelley.

Mr. Kelley, of Lady Antebellum, and his singer-songwriter brother, Josh, headlined a Young Philanthropists of University Health Care Foundation fundraiser on Nov. 29 to benefit the Dr. John W. Kelley Endowment.

The event raised more than $70,000 that will go toward education, training and helping cardiovascular patients at University Hospital. And the best part was that Dr. Kelley had no idea it was coming until they called him up on stage.

"I thought we were just there because the boys' friends had gotten them to help raise money for a worthy event," he said.

Dr. Kelley practiced at University from 1978 to March 2006 before moving to his farm in Young Harris, Ga.

He was instrumental in beginning a cardiovascular technician training program at the hospital, among other things.

Charles Kelley, speaking by phone from Las Vegas, where his band had just performed, said he sometimes got to see his father work and help train others.

"It was just funny to see the amount of time he put into it and wanting to teach those guys," he said." I remember watching that and really being kind of proud of him."

At the Nov. 29 event it was Dr. Kelley's turn to feel proud, watching his sons and their friends perform in a worthy cause.

"For them to be involved in this as part of their project to give back to the community made it even sweeter," he said. "That was the icing on the cake."

The recognition for Dr. Kelley is certainly deserved, said Sybil Surrett, the senior development officer for the foundation.

"He was so instrumental in the school at University," she said. "I think the school would have folded if it had not been for his commitment to the school."

Since Dr. Kelley helped found the cardiovascular tech school in 1992, its graduates have spread throughout the country and have gained recognition for the program.

"I go to national meetings," Dr. Kelley said, "and people in Florida, people on the East Coast, people on the West Coast where our graduates have infiltrated, they say, 'I tell you one thing. When they're scrubbing in, we don't have to worry because they know what to do. They're well-trained.' That certainly makes us feel good that we're doing it the right way."

His father's work did not come without sacrifice, Mr. Kelley said.

"We'd be out throwing the baseball, and he would be called in to do something at the hospital," he said. "People don't realize those jobs are really time-consuming."

Mr. Kelley said this is a good time right now for his father and the family.

"This is a really cool little moment for our family, just with all that is going on in our careers, and with my dad being honored like that," he said. "I appreciate Augusta rallying around our family right now. It's nice to feel loved and supported."

Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213 or <a href="mailto:tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com">tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com</a>.

<b>Brothers Charles Kelley, left, and Josh Kelley, right, performed for the Young Philanthropists of University Health Care Foundation on Nov. 29 to help a University Hospital endowment created in honor of their father, Dr. John W. Kelley, center. </b>[CAPTION]</p>

<p>FILE/ASSOCIATED PRESS[CAPTION]</p>

<p>CRYSTAL STROUD/SPECIAL