Medicine of Music Raises Funds for Songs of Love Foundation

Medicine of Music Compilation CD Raises Funds for Songs of Love Foundation

When 11-year-old Destiny Dawn Dyer received a CD containing a song written, performed and recorded just for her, she was more excited about what it meant to her personally than about the fact that it would be a featured track on a fund-raising CD for the Songs of Love Foundation. Destiny, who receives treatment at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville for a rare bone disease, also had no idea about the extent to which she would have a part in promoting the project.

Songs of Love is a non-profit charitable organization that has provided over 7,000 personalized, original songs to seriously ill children and teens in over 350 hospitals nationwide, free of charge. "Destiny's Song," written by Tammy Cochran, Deborah Allen and Anita Cochran, along with Carl Allocco, a member of the Songs of Love staff writing team, and performed by Allen, Cochran and Cochran, is one of four new songs on Medicine of Music - Country Compilation Volume I, to be released by Madacy Entertainment on August 2. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the album will go directly to the Songs of Love Foundation.

Created by New York native John Beltzer in 1996, in memory of his late brother, Julio, the Songs of Love Foundation has enlisted the talents of more than 500 songwriters and singers, who create one-of-a-kind songs for children and teens with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Song requests are submitted by parents, doctors, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals by completing a profile that includes specific information about the child's home, special interests, friends, pets, family members, etc. Then, the team of talented songwriters, vocalists, musicians and producers goes to work writing and recording the special song that will be delivered to the child, giving him or her strength, courage and hope throughout the treatment process. In short, they receive and respond to the powerful Medicine of Music.™

"The country music community in this unprecedented collaboration has warmly embraced the Songs of Love Foundation," said Beltzer. "As a result of this tremendous effort, many more ailing children will experience the unique thrill of hearing their very own 'Song of Love.'"

Medicine of Music features fifteen inspirational country hits including: "Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey's Song)" by Buddy Jewell, "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack, "Love Without End, Amen" by George Strait, "Don't Laugh At Me" by Mark Wills and "Then They Do" by Trace Adkins. (Please see full track listing at the end of this release). In addition to "Destiny's Song," the new songs featured on the CD are "Picture You In Heaven" by Anita Cochran, "Deeper Waters" by Deborah Allen and "Songs of Love," written and performed by the late Julio Beltzer.

"Destiny's Song" is the first single from the CD, and it was released to country radio via CDX on June 27. The song is also in the midst of a three-week run on Music Row's Monday Music program. Picture Vision created a music video for"Destiny's Song," which includes Destiny along with Anita Cochran, Deborah Allen and Tammy Cochran. The video will premiere on GAC on July 29 as part of a one-hour special containing videos of songs on the album, hosted by Suzanne Alexander, along with Deborah, Anita, Tammy and Destiny. The special will debut on Friday, July 29, and air an additional nine times.

"I will treasure my experience with The Songs of Love Foundation forever," said Deborah Allen. "Of all the many songs I have written in my lifetime, none has been more rewarding or fulfilling than 'Destiny's Song.' The smile on her face is the greatest gift of all. Thank you, Songs of Love, for making it possible."

Songs of Love was recently brought into the public spotlight in a 60 Minutes II feature by Dan Ratherthat aired on June 29. Leeza Gibbons mentioned the organization on her nationally syndicated "Leeza At Night" radio show after seeing the 60 Minutes II story.

Other parts of the marketing plan for the CD include a Songs of Love radio special that will air on the Jones Radio Network during the weekend before the CD's release. Anita, Tammy, Deborah and Destiny will appear on GAC's CRL on August 2. Country Weekly covered the video shoot for "Destiny's Song" and is planning an upcoming feature, and GAC's Country Music Across America shot b-roll in the studio and at Destiny's house for a future story. Radio news Web site www.allaccess.com will also spotlight the project for three weeks before its release. A release party will be held on August 9 at BMI in Nashville.

For more information about Songs of Love visit www.songsoflove.org, or call 1-800-960-SONG.