Carolyn Dawn Johnson Meets with the girls of Girls, Inc

Nashville, TN (Girls, Inc) -- Always looking for an engaging personality to encourage their young members to be “strong, smart and bold”, the Knoxville/Oak Ridge, TN chapter of Girls, Incorporated recently invited Equity Music Group recording artist Carolyn Dawn Johnson to speak to a group of more than 60 young girls.

Johnson talked to the girls about her journey from a small farm in Canada to a recording contract in Nashville. The group, ranging in age from 5 to 13, listened intently as Johnson reminded them they could accomplish any goal as long as they believed in themselves. Johnson also treated the girls to an acoustic performance of “Taking Back My Brave”, a song she recently wrote about maintaining belief in oneself and working through challenges.

"I've played to a wide variety of audiences during my career, but this performance was a special one that will always stand out in my memory," Johnson said. "These girls are wonderfully bright and eager to take on the world -- they're simply looking for a little guidance and inspiration."

Johnson, an artist noted not only for her vocal ability but also for her skills as a songwriter and producer, has just completed work on “Love & Negotiation”, her first album for the Equity Music Group. The album is scheduled for release in early 2007.

Girls, Incorporated provides educational programs to millions of American girls, with more than half of those served coming from low or moderate-income families and single parent homes. Girls, Incorporated of Knoxville/Oak Ridge, serving more than 1,000 girls a year, offers research-based, informal educational programs such as Galaxy Girls, which helps middle-school aged girls explore the universe and it's mysteries by using concepts in math and science.