Randy Rogers is having an enchanted year. The ACM nominee made appearances on both Leno and Letterman. Rolling Stone magazine ranked his live show alongside such artists as U2 and The Stones in its list of Top 10 Must-See performances. The band’s self-titled album became the No. 1 most downloaded country album on iTunes. And more than 2,200 people showed up and bought the band’s album at an appearance at Wherehouse Music. But with all the success over the past couple of years, Rogers said he hasn’t felt the need to leave Austin.

“I love where I live,” he said. “I don’t feel any pressure to leave and go to Nashville.”

It’s Austin where he gets his inspiration. Not only for his music, but for other things as well. When home, Randy loves to cook, spend time with his family and play a little golf. Which is why he decided to participate in the “For The Sake of the Shot” golf tournament to raise dollars for a camp for children with Diabetes.

“I have diabetes on both sides of my family ... It’s a very preventable thing, a very manageable thing,” he said.

So when he and the band perform at The Cotillion in Wichita, The Kansas Area Diabetes Association will be joining them with information about prevention, nutrition, upcoming fundraising events and Camp Discovery, where 150 local kids with diabetes can swim, canoe, ride horses and learn how to control their disease. And that’s not all the organization is doing. There’s The Tour De Cure, bicycle ride, The BAD ride, (a motorcycle ride) and the Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes coming up this fall at the zoo.

The Randy Rogers Band built its audience by combining forces--a dynamic live act centered around songs that fit the rowdy, party vibe of the concert circuit, but their songs really say something. And so does Randy. His concern for kids with diabetes says a lot about who he is and what’s truly important.

“Our Kansas area office serves over 150,000 people with diabetes and there are many more out there who do not know they have it. One of our goals as an association is to raise awareness about diabetes. We really appreciate this opportunity to spread the word!”

Sarah Beth Webb, Director American Diabetes Association Kansas Area

Randy and band appear at 8:00 pm Friday, May 1 with special guests Jason Eady and The Wayward Disciples. Doors open at 7:00 pm, so come early and check out the information from The Diabetes Association. Advance tickets are $12.50 at Select-a-Seat, The Cotillion, House of Sight & Sound and the employee clubs. Tickets on the day of the show will be $15.00. For further information and to charge tickets by phone call 316-722-4201 or logon to thecotillion.com.