COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL FINDING DEEP ROOTS IN COUNTRY
Charity Hosts Luncheon to Encourage Country Music Industry to RESPOND with Compassion: KKGO helps 265 children during radio-thon
Nashville, TN (July 22, 2011) — Some of the biggest names from Nashville’s Music Row now have a better understanding of what Compassion can do. Renowned children’s charity Compassion International hopes country music executives, artists and fans will RESPOND with Compassion to improve the lives of children around the world. “Today, truly marks the launch of something so meaningful for both Compassion and Country Music,” says Zane King, Artist Relations Manager for Compassion International. “I believe it is a day that children across the globe will someday celebrate because those in the Country Music industry have decided to make a difference about global poverty.”
Among Country’s A-list executives who attended were former Sony Music Entertainment Chairman Joe Galante and BNA Records’ Vice President of National Promotion, Bryan Frasher.
Artists in attendance included 90’s hit maker John Berry, whose chart topper, Your Love Amazes Me still ranks among the most popular love songs of all time. You could call Berry Compassion International’s ambassador to Country Music. “Having had the opportunity to go and see these children and to see the need in their homes makes it possible for me to tell you that these are not just pictures of needy children,” says Berry of his involvement with Compassion International. “They are real and they need our help.”
Sony artists Wade Bowen and 2010 American Idol top three Finalist Casey James also attended the luncheon.
Country Radio Personality Tonya Campos spoke at the luncheon. In 2009, her station – KKGO in Los Angeles – became the first country station to host a Compassion International Radio-thon. In just one day Campos and her co-workers helped secure sponsors for 265 poverty-stricken children. The station has since made the Compassion International Radio-thon an annual event. Campos, herself, sponsors two girls from Nicaragua and her commitment extends far deeper than writing a check each month. “It’s important that they know someone truly cares about them,” she says. “I go back each year and visit them.”
Campos encouraged other country stations to embrace Compassion International’s cause and encourage their listeners to RESPOND with Compassion.
Zane King believes the country music industry, as a whole, can carry Compassion to people his organization has never before reached. “To me, the concern and care is just indicative of the American spirit that embodies the heart and soul of Country Music”
ABOUT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:
Compassion International (www.compassion.com) is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 25 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works through local churches to holistically address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children—enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Compassion has been awarded nine consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator.
Compassion International (www.compassion.com) is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 25 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works through local churches to holistically address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children—enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Compassion has been awarded nine consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator.