22 JULY | AUGUST 2019
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit laughs4life.com. For more information, visit cadiecalhoun.com.laughter is the
best medicine
Thirty-one-year-old Cadie Calhoun from Hattiesburg left
her home and headed to Nashville at the age of 17 to pur-
sue a music career. Shortly before moving to Nashville,
Calhoun had planned to move to New York City to pursue
acting, but she says she could not ignore her calling once
multiple people told her she should be a singer.
The third-generation singer from Mississippi says,
“Mamaw started the family love affair with music.” The
familiar ties with music continued with Calhoun’s moth-
er playing piano and singing in the church choir. “This is
what I was born to do,” Calhoun adds. “I’ve known it my
whole life; everyone in my family has known it my whole
life.” From writing her music to being an audio engineer
to editing videos, Calhoun is involved at every level of her
music’s production.
Calhoun’s album, “UnHitch,” was released in February
after a year and a half break from music. After the respite,
Calhoun changed her style from country to pop. “Because
my record is definitely a Southern-sounding album, Mis-
sissippi had a huge influence on it on the Delta side with
the blues and the soul,” she says. — E.K.Laughs 4 Life will bring the medicinal wonders of laughter with head-
lining comedian Frank Caliendo to the Saenger Theater in Hatties-
burg on August 2. All ticket proceeds from the 4th annual event will
go to the International Myeloma Foundation, Forrest General Hospi-
tal Cancer Center, and Children’s of Mississippi.
Kent Oliver of Hattiesburg was diagnosed with incurable cancer,
Multiple Myeloma, at 34 years old with a wife and two young daugh-
ters at home. As Oliver went through 20 weeks of chemo and a
stem cell transplant, laughter with friends was the most powerful
encourager.
In 2016, Oliver founded Laughs 4 Life to raise Multiple Myeloma
awareness, to give back and to provide the community with a night
full of laughter.
“I’m reminded daily to remember to laugh and keep things in per-
spective,” Oliver says. “The event has brought the community to-
gether in a really unique way across all walks of life, but personally,
it’s a reminder that laughter is an important component to living a
fulfilled life.”
Laughs 4 Life raised over $450,000 over the past three years.
This year, a portion of the money raised will support the creation of
Smile Centers at Batson Children’s Hospital, which will be designated
spaces for activities promoting laughter. — E.K.
pop with
mississippi twang
Kent and Candace Oliver pose with comedian
Bill Engvail at the 2017 event.