By Kelly Taylor, WKTV

Michigan band POP EVIL took time out of their tour schedule to visit with some special fans at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis, Tennessee recently. The band was invited by the hospital as part of Music Gives to St. Jude Kids, an initiative that mobilizes the music community — artists, fans, corporate partners and sponsors — to join in the fight against childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, and to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Playing for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was a career highlight,” said Pop Evil frontman Leigh Kakaty. “Whenever you can help bring inspiration and positivity to children in need it makes it all worthwhile. Being able to bring smiles to both the kids and their families was humbling and something we hope we can do more of in the future.”

The band performed some of their biggest hits like Footsteps and Take It All. Video of each performance can be seen here. Bassist Matt DiRito added, “It has been such an honor to be able to work hand-in-hand with the staff and families at St Jude. Those kids have touched our lives in a way that is so incredibly powerful and different from anything we have experienced in our travels across the world.”

Pop Evil was formed in North Muskegon, Michigan in 2001 by Leigh Kakaty. He then added Dave Grahs, Dylan Allison, and Jamie Nummer. Later, guitarist Tony Greve was added as a temporary studio musician for the band but was invited to become a full-time member in early 2007.

The band will perform in Grand Rapids on Feb. 25 at the new venue, 20 Monroe Live. Go here to get tickets.