New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Bria Kelly, famous for top 10 finish on The Voice last year, and top 20 stint on America's Got Talent, the year before, was the obvious choice to record the vocals for the new song "Why Me?" When asked what this song means to Bria, she replied, "I am humbled by the opportunity to support such an amazing cause. Written by Amy Havens Hines and Donna Hughes, this song should be an eye opening reality check to those who turn a blind eye to animal cruelty."
Amy Hines reached out to Donna Hughes, an Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter and Animal Rights activist. Hughes has recorded a series of anti-chaining songs including the first, "Dog On A 10 Foot Chain," that appears on her album From The Heart, and the follow-up "One Less Dog In The Cold."
"When Amy Hines sent me her haunting lyrics, I immediately had a vision for the melody, and after reading her haunting lyrics, I knew the title had to be what all dogs on chains are thinking, "Why Me?" Dog chaining is legal in my area, so after many sleepless nights, tossing and turning, worrying about all the dogs who live all around me on chains, I knew we had to get this song recorded by someone special! I am honored and sincerely grateful Amy chose me as her partner to complete this song. I have true admiration for her and all the happy hearts and helping hands at Dogs Deserve Better, as they rehabilitate dogs from a lifetime of suffering," said Hughes.
The song "Why Me?" came together in one day. They then reached out to Bria Kelly to perform it knowing that her powerful vocals and huge fan following would certainly help bring global attention to this powerful tune.
The lyrics then traveled to Nashville where it was professionally recorded and mixed by musician Scott Vestal who also played acoustic guitar and bass on the recording. Vestal's impressive career includes stints with Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Donny and Marie Osmond, Sam Bush, David Lee Roth, Ricky Skaggs, and many other high profile artists. He has also appeared on numerous national TV shows.
Other musicians on "Why Me?" include the amazing talents of: Jenee Fleenor, (currently performing with Blake Shelton) on Violin; Josh Shilling (lead vocalist with Mountain Heart) on Piano and Harmony; Chris Bown (Belmont University, Sam Bush, Linda Rondstadt) on Drums; and Bob Williams (has played Rhythm and Blues with the Peptonz, American folk music with Carey Creed, Bluegrass with the Grass Menagerie, and classic Rock and dance music with Scott Young and Steppin' Out) on Guitar.
Cetre Peques (Music Video Director) and the entire Who's Johnny Creative production team immediately jumped on board to produce the music video for "Why Me?" in hopes of raising awareness and showing the correlation between animal abuse and crimes against humanity. Dr. Sheri Bias, Liquid Talent Agency joined the team by providing over 50 professional actors.
On July 25, 2015, the actors, writers, producers, and Bria Kelly showed up on 1915 Moonlight Rd. in Smithfield, Virginia. Once the home of Michael Vick's "Bad Newz" dog fighting compound, it is now home of Dogs Deserve Better that operates the Good Newz Rehabilitation Center for Chained & Penned Dogs. After what can only be described as a "surreal" experience, the 22 hours of filming took place on the very property where dozens of dogs had been fought and died. No one left without having a life altering experience.
The "Why Me?" video can be viewed at YouTube.
The song can be purchased for download on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon and all major distribution sites. A portion of every song will benefit the dogs at the Good Newz Rehabilitation Center for Chained & Penned Dogs (www.dogsdeservebetter.org).
More information about "Why Me?" can be found at whymemusic.com.
