NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Doug Deutsch PR) - This past weekend,
Kellie Pickler headlined a Country Crossing-sponsored concert at the Dothan Civic Center that benefited the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank. Matt Kennon and local band
Houston County also performed. The majority of the tickets for the concert were distributed through the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank, raising $16,366 and 8,825 pounds of food to be distributed to the Wiregrass area this holiday season. These donations translate to 92,134 meals that will be made available to those in need.
'This is a great day,' says Ronnie Gilley, president, Ronnie Gilley Entertainment and developer of Country Crossing. 'It's hard to put into words how happy we are to be able to fulfill our promise to give back to the community. The money and food raised through this concert will go along way, and there's more to come. Country Crossing will continue to give back to the community as we move forward with the project.'
The Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank is a non-profit, hunger relief charity that collects surplus food and distributes to agencies in a five-county service area that includes Houston, Henry, Dale, Geneva and Coffee counties, as well as parts of northwest Florida and southwest Georgia.
Julie Gonzalez, special projects coordinator, Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank, says 'We were thrilled that Country Crossing partnered with us for this event. The amount of money and food raised will help feed 92,134 people in our area. We are blessed to have this opportunity.'
The concert was originally planned to be the first concert at Country Crossing's Celebrity Station Amphitheater. Because of inclement weather, the show was moved to the Dothan Civic Center. A debut show for the venue is being planned and an announcement will be made at a later date.
Kellie Pickler -
After making it to the top six on the 5th season of American Idol, Kellie Pickler was guaranteed a place on the American Idol tour. Her unmistakable talent and star quality also earned her a recording contract in Nashville.
Her debut album, Small Town Girl, was released on Halloween Day, 2006, and was certified Gold just three months after its release. It yielded 3 top 15 singles.
On the national broadcast of the 41st CMA Awards in 2007, she offered a heart-wrenching performance of 'I Wonder,' the yearning song she had written about the mother who abandoned her as a child.
'Don't You Know You're Beautiful,' is more than a song, it's a statement from Kellie, who chose the upbeat tune to lead off her self-titled second album. Urging inner strength, independence and confidence, it is powerful message from this resilient young woman who has wrestled with insecurity, endured tragedy, suffered heartbreak and celebrated triumph on a winding road to maturity, self-awareness and newfound happiness. She is destined to remain one of Country Music's lasting stars.
Houston County -
Zack and Adam Hooper put their music careers on hold and were working in their family's restaurant when Adam began collaborating with John Milldrum. Adam soon asked Zack to join them and Houston County was born.
With their debut CD on Stroudavarious Records, the trio announce themselves as one of country music's most compelling new acts.
Adam and John's musicianship perfectly complements Zack's skill with lyrics. Their songs are emotionally powerful treatments of loss, confusion, hope, belief and purpose, brought into focus by their collective musical talents.
The album varies from the upbeat and summery "Workin' On A Suntan," to "Nothing's Gonna Shake Me," a declaration of steadfast love and "I Can't Make It Rain," the album's poignant first single.
Matt Kennon -
Matt Kennon, recently signed to BamaJam Records, bursts onto the scene with the impactful song, 'The Call.' Rife with redemption, the tender and touching ballad is causing radio request lines to light up nationwide. 'The Call' is a moving story of how simply reaching out to someone else can make all the difference. One phone call can be life affirming, even life-saving. The powerful song was produced by the legendary James Stroud.
Whiskey-voiced and heavily tattooed, Matt Kennon survived a rebellious youth and came out on the other side with his faith, determination and a love of music intact. As a songwriter, Kennon's lyrics tell his story and the stories of countless others who have been challenged by life and have overcome tremendous odds to achieve success.
Kennon is clear about his music and his mission.
'I want to touch people with my music,' Matt says. 'This is my calling. This is what God put me on this earth to do. Whether it's 100 people or 1 million, I want to have an impact.'
