On Tuesday evening (October 25), Big and Rich headlined the annual Rock the Cradle fundraising event held at Nashville's famed Loveless Barn, benefiting the babies born at Baptist Hospital. Daryle Singletary was also on hand for the event, which held extra special meaning in his heart. Just a year ago this week, Singletary and his wife, Holly, were welcoming their newborn twins into the world -- Jonah Michael and Mercer Ellis.

The twins' arrival came a few weeks earlier than expected, resulting in premature births. Thanks to the resources and knowledgeable staff at Baptist Hospital, the twins were ready to be taken home from the NICU after only nine days.

"I am honored to be a part of a fundraiser and foundation like Rock the Cradle, being associated with Baptist and the NICU," Singletary told Taste of Country prior to taking the stage on Tuesday night. "Not only was our kids there, but to think that the first hours of our kids’ lives were so tended to, that the rest of the months following really helped. The care they got in the first few hours allowed them to be healthy and strong and do well for the next 11 months. We are grateful and very thankful for everyone that was involved in our kids. We have been very blessed and very fortunate. We’re just honored to be able to give back a portion of what they gave us when our babies were born."

After a feast of the Loveless Cafe's fried chicken, pulled pork BBQ, slow cooked green beans, corn pudding, mashed potatoes and gravy and their world-famous biscuits and cornbread, Singletary took the stage for an acoustic performance. Singletary shared with the audience a special song he wrote after becoming a father titled 'Things Are So Much Different Than Before,' complete with a slideshow of photos of his young sons who were in attendance with their mama, proudly sitting in the front row.

Prior to Big and Rich taking the stage, Will Byrd held a live auction. Items included vacation packages to Rosemary Beach, Fla., an autographed Taylor Swift guitar, tickets to the 2011 CMA Awards, pearls worn and owned by the former First Lady Barbara Bush, wine tasting and pre-game sideline passes and tickets to a Tennessee Titans football game.

Each year, Baptist Hospital delivers more than 7,000 babies, more than any other hospital in Middle Tennessee. One in seven of these babies are born prematurely. Donations to the Baptist Hospital Foundation have helped to renovate and equip the Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Baptist Hospital and t0 provide continuing education for nurses and other staff in order to assist families. For more information on how to donate to the Baptist Hospital Foundation, visit their website here.

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