Anti-bullying concert makes stop in Decatur County

DECATUR COUNTY, Tenn. — Hundreds of local kids learned a valuable lesson Wednesday in a unique way.

“It’s very important to have events like this here at the school so we actually know what bullying is and whenever we are bullying people so we are more aware of it,” Riverside High School senior Blayne Hayes said.

The All-Star Nation Tour is a four-city anti-bullying concert that features high-profile artists sharing their music as well as their testimony.

“Every one of my friends and people in my life completely turned their back on me and started harassing me and bullying me for two years,” Lifetime reality show “Preachers’ Daughters” star Kolby Koloff said. “And so it’s pretty weird being back in high school, because I did not have a very good experience, but it’s pretty redemptive to be able to share my story.”

She shared her story of battling cyber-bullying and encouraged kids to break the mold.

“They don’t have to give into the norm because it is normal just to tweet something mean, or to comment on something, or to spread a rumor, or spread a photo around, and we can break that normal,” she said.

Four artists performed and spoke Wednesday morning, and organizers said they will reach around 60,000 kids by the end of this year’s tour.

“Some people mightn’t realize the pain they are doing to somebody or somebody is having trouble at home,” senior Jacob Seaton said. “The more respect you have for your peers, the better.”

After the concert, students were able to meet and hang out with the artists.

Organizers said they plan to return next year.