Country triple threat MacKenzie Porter took over Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Monday night (11/20) to put on her inaugural benefit concert as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society, MacKenzie Porter + Friends Present: Country vs. Cancer.
“This means so much to me,” Porter shared from the stage. “Cancer has affected my life in so many ways and I’m sure it has every single person in this room. I’ve always wanted to be involved in something like this.”
Recruiting friends and collaborators for the one-of-a-kind evening, Dustin Lynch, Nate Smith, Walker Hayes, Lily Rose, Alana Springsteen, and Madeline Merlo joined Porter on the bill, raising $85,000 for the American Cancer Society, supporting its vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
“These artists are so busy so the fact they’re here shows how much this means to all of us,” Porter continued. “Doing good, spreading love, and helping people is the reason we’re all here.”
Detailing her journey to becoming an American Cancer Society ambassador with PEOPLE ahead of the show, Porter took to the stage performing fan-favorites like “These Days” and “Pickup,” and debuting some new music from her forthcoming full-length album, like freshly released “Bet You Break My Heart,” and May-dropped heat seaker “Chasing Tornadoes.”
Supported by her all-star lineup, the guest artists serenaded the audience with their own hits including Nate Smith’s “Whiskey On You,” Alana Springsteen’s “goodbye looks good on you,” Lily Rose’s “Villain,” Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like,” and Dustin Lynch’s “Small Town Boy.” Madeline Merlo surprised fans, popping up to make Porter’s “Chasing Tornadoes” a duet for one night only, while Porter joined in for performances of Hayes’ “Halloween” and her 2X Platinum, six-week No. 1 collaboration with Lynch “Thinking ‘Bout You.”
Wrapping the night with a milestone moment, Lynch presented Porter with a career plaque in celebration of her six No. 1 songs at Canadian country radio and seven Music Canada Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum certifications.
