GAC And TCN Add THE GRASCALS', "I Am Strong," Featuring Dolly Parton

Emotionally-Charged Video Hits Airwaves!
Nashville, TN (January 21, 2011) -- This week, Great American Country (GAC) and The Country Network (TCN) add The Grascals' emotionally-charged video, "I Am Strong."

Directed by industry veteran David Corlew (who makes his music video directing debut here), and produced by David Bennett (former head of TN Film Commission), the moving video features a special guest appearance by Country Music Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton. "I Am Strong" was written by The Grascals' Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson, along with close friend, Jenee Fleenor.

The song was inspired by the stories of children being treated for cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, following a visit to the hospital made by Johnson, and Grascals Terry Smith and Terry Eldredge. The video was filmed there, and several young patients make appearances throughout the clip.

"The bottom line and the whole point of the video was to convey the song's message," Johnson says. "We didn't want to take anything away from the children or their stories, and I think we stayed true to that."

For Corlew, whose directing background has been mostly on the documentary side, the opportunity to direct The Grascals was "wonderful." But it was the interaction with the children of St. Jude's that he found the most moving. "I loved working with them," David adds. "Their smiles were 'the moment,' and they really seemed to enjoy themselves."

The video is impacting globally and airing on CMT.com, CMC (Australia), AOL, Yahoo, UsMag.com, and hundreds of other websites. A portion of the proceeds from the song will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"I Am Strong" is from THE GRASCALS & FRIENDS - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin disc, which debuted this week on the Billboard Bluegrass chart at #1. The project features the group singing duets with Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Dierks Bentley, Joe Nichols, Charlie Daniels, Tom T. Hall, The Oak Ridge Boys and Darryl Worley. The CD, released last week on BluGrascal Records, is exclusively available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and online at www.crackerbarrel.com.

Pictured Above: During Country Cares Radiothon last weekend in Memphis, The Grascals- Danny Roberts, Jeremy Abshire, Kristin Scott Benson, Jamie Johnson, Terry Eldredge and Terry Smith- posed with patient Ella at St. Jude's. (Credit: Jeremy Westby)