Country music icon Dwight Yoakam is set to headline the inaugural Dwight Yoakam & Friends: Rockin’ for the Kids at The Roxy, a one-night-only charity concert taking place during GRAMMY week in Los Angeles. The event will be held Wednesday, January 28, at the legendary Roxy Theatre and will raise funds for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
The benefit is presented by Yoakam alongside Billy Bob Thornton and McG. Yoakam will deliver a full performance with his band, joined by special guests Charley Crockett, Marcus King, Lukas Nelson, with more artists to be announced. Acclaimed director and producer McG will serve as emcee for the evening.
A Personal Inspiration Behind Rockin’ for the Kids
The idea for Rockin’ for the Kids grew out of a deeply personal experience for Yoakam and his wife, Emily. Several years ago, during the height of COVID, the couple brought their infant son to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where they met Dr. Mark Krieger, Senior Vice President and Surgeon-in-Chief at CHLA. While their visit ultimately resulted in reassuring news, the experience left a lasting impact.
At the same time, Yoakam had recently participated in a livestream fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House located across the street from CHLA, a connection Dr. Krieger acknowledged and appreciated. While spending time inside the hospital, Dwight and Emily witnessed countless children at various stages of treatment and recovery, an experience that stayed with them long after they left.
In later conversations with Dr. Krieger, Emily reflected on her past volunteer work at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville and asked how they might give back to an institution that supports so many families each day. Those discussions sparked the idea of creating a lasting charitable effort that would bring artists together to support pediatric care.
From One Night to an Annual Mission
The concept became reality in September 2024 when Yoakam was invited to perform a charity concert at the Lido Theatre in Newport Beach, owned by McG. Yoakam suggested that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Children’s Hospital Orange County be named beneficiaries. During that event, Yoakam and Dr. Krieger reconnected and discussed launching a recurring benefit during GRAMMY week, giving rise to Rockin’ for the Kids.
“When you walk the halls of a children’s hospital, it changes you. It puts all of life in a very graphic perspective,” said Dwight Yoakam. “As Emily and I were there with our own child, we saw so many families facing battles no one hopes to ever have to endure. And while we were fortunate to not face those challenges, that experience never left us. Rockin’ for the Kids is our way of saying thank you to Dr. Krieger and the entire staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, on behalf of every family who puts their trust in them every single day.”
Supporting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
CHLA leadership expressed gratitude for the partnership and the vision behind the event.
“On behalf of everyone at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, we are thrilled to be partnering with Mr. Yoakam and his wife on what is sure to be a truly special evening,” said Mark D. Krieger, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief and the Billy and Audrey L. Wilder Chair in Neurosurgery. “We are grateful to Dwight and Emily for their passion and vision in bringing this night to life.”
Additional artists participating in the concert will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets and Event Information
Tickets for Dwight Yoakam & Friends: Rockin’ for the Kids go on sale Wednesday, January 14, at 10 a.m. PT via dwightyoakam.com. A limited number of sponsor and VIP tickets are available by contacting Matt Semler at msemler@chla.usc.edu.
