Biloxi, MS--

It should be noted that when 3 Doors Down performs anywhere, they give it their all. The group from Escatawpa, Mississippi, knows the meaning of rock and roll and with each show they put on, they bring it. Their annual charity show for The Better Life Foundation is no different.

This year’s event was held at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and featured special guests Sara Evans and members of the Musik Mafia—Jon Nicholson, Shannon Lawson, Damian Horne, Randy Hauser and the man himself, Big Kenny.

First to take the stage was the Musik Mafia who were perfect for opening the show. The members of the group got on stage and had a jam session with one anther. Each member took turns singing, and playing guitar during the acoustic set. Perhaps the most surprising moment was when the Mafia came out on stage and Big Kenny sat on a wooden box and began to play it like a drum. When Big Kenny took the microphone, it was to perform the Big and Rich hit, “8th of November.” The track is thought provoking on the record but to hear it live is nothing short of amazing.

Next up was Ms. “Suds in the Bucket” herself—the beautiful and talented, Sara Evans who is even more beautiful and talented in person. Evans had the audience’s attention from the moment she stepped on stage and she kept it until well after she left.

Evans performed a series of her songs from her new “Greatest Hits” album and with each song, her love for the stage shined through. Performing for a little over an hour, Evans brought a little bit of blue grass, a little country and a ton of heart to the evening’s event.

As 3 Doors Down got ready to take the stage, the crowd’s energy grew exponentially with every passing minute. It was time for everyone to attend a rock show. No more Nashville, no more country—just pure, Southern-bred rock and roll. When 3 Doors Down came on stage, they did so with passion. Performing for a home-town crowd, Brad Arnold, the band’s vocalist, addressed the crowd as his friends and delivered a phenomenal performance. For an encore, Arnold called Sara Evans back out on stage and performed “Here Without You,” and made the song sound like it was written to be a duet.

All of the artists performed at the event for free, making sure that all of the proceeds from the event went to The Better Life Foundation for charities all over the coast.

The Better Life Benefit is one of 3 Doors Down’s favorite event each year and something that they say makes Christmas better for them.

“[The concert] is just giving back to our community and actually it is a lot of fun doing it,” says Arnold, “It has been some of my best Christmas memories as of recent memory for me and you know, we have a voice so why not use it to do something good and have some fun doing it.”

Be sure to check out 3 Doors Down’s newest studio album titled, 3 Doors Down, in February.