Country Music Legend, Collin Raye, Launches Foundation After CMA Nov 1 in Memory of His Late Granddaughter, Haley

Country Music Awards Late Night Gala Draws Stars to Perform and Launch Collin Raye's Blessed Chair Foundation, in Memory of Granddaughter Haley Who Passed Away

Jamie O'Neal, John Berry among music artists who will perform with Raye after the CMAs on November 1st in downtown Nashville; new foundation will provide wheelchairs to help families of disabled children.

NASHVILLE, Oct. 19, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- It's been a long and painful two years since Haley Bell, granddaughter of multi-platinum country music star, Collin Raye, died at age nine from an undiagnosed neurological disorder. But "Poppi," as Haley called him, has moved back to Nashville and has turned the pain of Haley's death into a way of helping families who are unable to afford wheelchairs for their disabled children. More about the event is here: www.countrylatenight.com.

"For my daughter Britanny (Haley's mother) and I, the reality of the Blessed Chair Foundation gives us purpose beyond the pain and hurt of losing our sweet angel, Haley," says Raye, who charted 16 #1 hits, and 24 Top 10 hits through the 90's with songs like "Love Me," "In This Life," "Little Rock," and "One Boy, One Girl." In 2011, Raye's first inspirational album, His Love Remains, was released and remains the #1 reviewed Christian CD on Amazon.com.

The newly formed foundation is named from lyrics in the song "She's with Me," a song Collin Raye wrote about Haley when she was still alive. Collin sings about her "Blessed Chair" which carried Haley everywhere with the family and which greatly improved the quality of Haley's life.

According to the Survey of Income and Program Participation, there are 3.4 million wheelchair/scooter users among the U.S. non-institutional population ages 6+, which represents 1.3% of the U.S. population ages 6 and over. There are many families of special needs children who are working hard to make ends meet yet cannot afford to purchase a basic wheelchair that they need to improve the quality of life of their loved one. This foundation seeks to reach and help these families.

Country music stars Jamie O'Neal, John Berry and other country music artists are scheduled to perform with Raye after the CMA Awards on November 1st. The event will be an elegant evening of live performances, premium bar and gourmet food at The aVenue in downtown Nashville. This event will be the official launch for The Haley Bell Blessed Chair Foundation. Many other artists are expected to stop by or perform (pending official confirmations). Artists unable to attend but donating autographed guitars include Vince Gill, Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery and Joe Diffie.

The Foundation is partnering with Cradle Concepts, LLC, Collin's record label, and Custom Travel Incentives, CTI, a New York City-based marketing firm providing a trusted resource for corporate hospitality, trip incentives, promotions and special event production. A member of the Country Music Association since 2006, CTI is also the exclusive travel packager for Broadway Across America.

To purchase tickets to Country Late Night 2012 with Collin Raye, to donate a wheelchair or for more information on Collin Raye's CMA After Party, go to www.countrylatenight.com. For Interviews please call Kristina Hernandez at 703-373-0632 or email khernandez@crcpublicrelations.com.

Christian Newswire

Lee Roy of THE ROYS Awarded No. 1 Inspirational Country Single Plaque For I Wonder What God's Thinking

Power Source Magazine Presentation Held During Luncheon Aboard Historic General Jackson Showboat

Elaine Roy, Lee Roy and Power Source Managing
Editor Jason Higgins. Credit: Wyneka Thomas Photography

Nashville, TN (October 17, 2012) -- Lee Roy of the award-winning brother/sister duo THE ROYS was honored Monday when he received a plaque from Power Source Magazine for his Number 1 Inspirational Country Single, "I Wonder What God's Thinking." The presentation took place during Day 2 of Inspirational Country Music Week (October 14-18) aboard the historic General Jackson Showboat. Honorees and luncheon attendees enjoyed a scenic cruise and were entertained with live performances by Geoffrey Andrews, Russ Murphy, Steve Richard, Laura Dodd and Larissa. "I Wonder What God's Thinking" questions the Lord's perception of today's often selfish society that frequently ignores our fellow humans in need. The poignant song was featured on THE ROYS' extremely popular and critically-acclaimed Rural Rhythm Records' debut CD, LONESOME WHISTLE.

"Every award is meaningful in its own way," comments Lee. "But to be recognized for my efforts as a songwriter is especially humbling, since I believe in divine inspiration. I wrote it after watching the news and considering how separated so many of us seem to have become from each other and from God."

Lee and his sister Elaine comprise THE ROYS, a powerhouse duo that's repeatedly rocketed up the charts and grown in popularity during the past two years. Their August-issue EP, NEW DAY DAWNING, debuted at Number 2 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart in early September and two weeks later the disc had risen to Number 1 on Amazon's Bluegrass Best Sellers list. The EP's first single release, "Still Standing," debuted on the Power Source Bluegrass Top 35 chart this month.

The reigning ICM's Bluegrass Artist of the Year, THE ROYS, are candidates for nomination in three award categories for 2012: Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year and Bluegrass Artist of the Year.

The siblings are playing an active role in this year's Inspirational Country Music Week, with appearances on Sunday, October 14 (ICM Opening Ceremony at Cornerstone Church) and on Thursday, October 18 as they kick off the 20th Anniversary of the ICM Faith, Family & Country™ Awards Show with the evening's first performance.
Fans can follow Lee and Elaine online at THEROYSonline, FACEBOOK and on Twitter @theroysonline.

Grammy Nominees Jeff & Sheri Easter to appear on the Grand Ole Opry

Two-time GRAMMY-nominated and six-time Dove Award-winning artists Jeff and Sheri Easter are scheduled to appear on the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, August 4 for two shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

These gospel music family group mainstays will be premiering songs from their upcoming release Eyes Wide Open (Spring Hill Music) which will hit streets on September 18. They will be performing with other artists, including Carrie Underwood, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Jean Shepherd, Bill Anderson and many others.

“Jeff and I feel so at home at the Opry,” states Sheri. “We both grew up in families of bluegrass gospel artists, so we made a lot of longtime friends over the years, many of whom are part of the Opry family. It always feels like coming back home when we’re there.”

Jeff adds, “Our music has always been country; our lyrics have always been gospel; and we love to sing love songs to each other; so stylistically, we fit in well with not only the Opry artists, but also the Opry fans.”

To learn more about this week’s Grand Ole Opry shows, visit http://www.opry.com or call 1-800-SEE OPRY.