Southeast Missouri native David Nail headlines flood relief concert in Sikeston

In times of crisis, people join together to help out in any way they can. As Southeast Missouri recovers from flood and storm damage, one Kennett, Mo., native is using his talents to help his roots.

MCA recording artist David Nail will perform today at the Sikeston Field House in a concert to benefit the SEMO Health Network, which is helping flood and storm victims in Southeast Missouri. Nail will be joined by Texas musician Trey Wilson and Sikeston, Mo., native Anna Katherine DeHart in a concert.

"I think it's human nature to want to help out anytime you see those struck by the devastation that the recent weather has caused in parts of the southeast and Midwest," Nail said in a release on his website. "Being from Southeast Missouri, obviously their struggles have hit me the hardest. This show will hopefully rally the spirits of those affected!"

Nail had an on-again, off-again relationship with Nashville, Tenn., and his music career after high school. He finally broke into the business with "I'm About to Come Alive" in 2008. His music dances between traditional county and Southern soul and continues to please old fans and win new ones.

C.J. Cruze, program director with B97.9, which organized the concert, said he is proud to be able to help his community with this event.

"We were trying to figure out how we as a station could help out with the flood folks, and we knew he was from Southeast Missouri," Cruze said. "We took a chance, got hold of his agent, and they told us that he could do the Friday [show]."

After securing Nail for the concert, Cruze said the next step was figuring out how to get the money to the people.

"SEMO Health Network has been getting it out to people faster than any other agency," he said.

Cruze said all of the money raised, including donations, will go to the SEMO Health Network. In addition to the concert proceeds, Cruze said Nail will be doing a silent auction at his merchandise booth during the concert.

"He will be auctioning sports memorabilia," Cruze said. "He's got a signed basketball from Dick Vitale, he's got some Cardinal overnight packages, stuff like that."

SEMO Health Network first started its work in Southeast Missouri in 1978, and now provides a wide range of health services throughout the area.

Cheryl White is the CEO of SEMO Health Network and said its staff is passionate about helping others.

"I think the main motivation of the staff is the everyday stories told when they visit the clinics for an appointment. You are drawn in to their lives and you feel their joy and their pain," White said. "So when we have a personal encounter with a flood family and they tell you what they have lost or how they are trying to get back into their homes but can't due to snakes ... you get a visual of how their life took a devastating turn in a matter of hours. Everything they had is destroyed and many of those people did not have flood insurance."

White said the organization has reached out to the Joplin, Mo., community, too, in the wake of the deadly tornado there Sunday.

White said SEMO Health Network is counting on this concert to help fill the coffers. She said the flood relief efforts came through donations and staff members volunteering to help and that the organization has used up most of its resources even though "there is still a great deal of flood recovery for the families in our community."

"This is why the David Nail benefit concert is so important," White said.

All proceeds from the concert will help provide money for families displaced by the flood. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased by calling 800-821-3093 or by going to www.semofloodrelief.com.