Saturday, August 30, 2014

Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude

18th Annual Singers and Songwriters

For St. Jude

September 13, 2014 - 8:00 PM

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758

Introducing

The Shoals Group

Blaine Cantrell "Country"
Blaine is a singer/songwriter who proudly acknowledges his hometown of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, as “The Original Hit Capitol of the World.” Over the years, he has landed many songs in some of Nashville’s major publishing companies where one of his tunes was put on hold for Hank Williams, Jr. and one on hold for an upcoming movie. Although Blaine writes mostly in the country music genre, he has written Americana, Gospel, Blues and he’s always looking to venture into writing something new.

John Crosslin “Americana and Alternative Country”
John hails from the Muscle Shoals area and has a deep love for many genres of music.  Loving honesty in a well written song, he is more inclined to listen to well-crafted songs that are off the beaten path. John writes songs that will bring tears as well as songs that will have you rolling in the floor with laughter. 

Will Stults "Country/Americana"
Will Stults is a Performing Songwriter from Russellville, Alabama. He has been a featured performer at The Bluebird CafĂ©, Jim Parker’s Acoustic Songwriters Showcase, The Shoals Songwriters Showcase and more.
Lori Lovelace-Muse “Country"
Lorie has had a passion for music and songwriting since elementary school. She got serious about her music journey as a young adult and started working on her music and songwriting skills. Lorie says, “My hope is that through my journey I will be able to inspire others to find their own passions and pursue their dreams. We only have one life. We must find our God-given purpose in life while we have the chance and go for it!”

Tim Cannon "Blues/Soul/Country/Acoustic/Songwriter"
Influenced by everyone from rockers Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and Daughtry. to country artists Rascal Flatts and Shenandoah, Tim Cannon is carrying on the tradition of the soulful hit music recorded in the lazy southern town of Muscle Shoals, AL. "Everyone from The Rolling Stones to Bob Seger to Lynyrd Skynyrd has recorded here in our little town", says Tim. "And I'm just proud to be a part of the legacy of Muscle Shoals with my debut CD, 'Wild Fire'".


There's more comin'

Donate
In person at the event or
Check or money orders:
Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude

18th Annual Singers and Songwriters

For St. Jude

September 13, 2014 - 6:30 PM

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758

Introducing

Huntsville Group 2

Cristina Lynn - "Country"
Cristina Lynn is making her mark with a style of modern, uplifting country. Rich emotion is evident in every song, and Cristina uses her voice to paint vibrant pictures of everyday life and shared experiences.

Greg Mitchell - "Country"
With a fresh cut to his credit, Greg is honing his version of country music, which he describes as “not quite Haggard, but not quite Chesney.” Greg has opened for many country music hit writers and Grammy winners with his sometimes soulful, sometimes sinful songs that are sure to get your attention.
Robert Barnes - "Oldies But Goodies/Americana"
Robert writes and sings many genres, but always delivers a terrific performance. He ranges from a blues sound, 60’s 70’s, 80's and Americana, and a little bit country.
Dana Marie Bright - "Indie Pop"
Pianist Dana Bright is fascinated by the power of intimate lyrics and intense chords. She draws on her love for classic ballads, praise music, and heart-felt love songs to capture a few real and raw moments of life with a gentle touch.

Grace Eileen Wood - "Folk/Christian"

Grace Eileen is a terrific guitarist as well as singer and songwriter. Her music focuses primarily on Folk. She has many inspirations and influences for her music and songwriting, with Christ being her biggest influence.

Homegrown Songwriters is loaded with talent! They are active in their music careers performing all over and everywhere they happen to be. They are from all walks of life, college students, business owners, engineers, school teachers, music teachers. All with busy lives, but always ready to donate their talent and time to support community causes and benefits. Send out the appeal for help and they will come. They never fail to deliver a wonderful show. 

There's more comin'

Donate
In person at the event or
Check or money orders:
Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Danny's Promise


More than 70 years ago, Danny Thomas, then a struggling young entertainer with a baby on the way, visited a Detroit church and was so moved during the Mass, he placed his last $7 in the collection box. With only a few coins left in his pocket, Danny prayed for a way to pay the looming hospital bills. The next day, he was offered a small part that would pay 10 times the amount he'd given to the church. Danny had experienced the power of prayer.

Two years later, Danny had achieved moderate acting success in Detroit, but he was struggling to take his career to the next level. Once again, he turned to the church. Praying to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, Danny asked the saint to "help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine."

His career took a turn for the better, and soon he moved his family to Chicago to pursue career offers. A few years later, at another turning point in his life, Danny visited a church and remembered his pledge to St. Jude. Again he prayed to St. Jude and repeated his pledge to build a shrine to the saint if he would show him the way.

In the years that followed, Danny's career flourished through films and television, and he became an internationally known entertainer. He remembered his pledge to build a shrine to St. Jude.

In the early 1950s, Danny began discussing with friends what concrete form his vow might take. Gradually, the idea of a children's hospital, possibly in Memphis, Tennessee, took shape. In 1955, Danny Thomas and a group of Memphis businessmen who had agreed to help support his dream seized on the idea of creating a unique research hospital devoted to curing catastrophic diseases in children. More than just a treatment facility, this would be a research center for the children of the world.

Danny started raising money for his vision of St. Jude in the early 1950s. By 1955, the local business leaders who had joined his cause began area fundraising efforts, supplementing Danny's benefit shows that brought scores of major entertainment stars to Memphis. Often accompanied by his wife, Rose Marie, Danny crisscrossed the United States by car, sharing his dream and raising funds at meetings and benefits. The pace was so hectic that Danny Thomas and his wife once visited 28 cities in 32 days. Although Danny Thomas and his friends raised the money to build the hospital, they now faced the daunting task of funding its annual operation.

To solve this problem, Danny, of Lebanese descent, turned to his fellow Americans of Arabic-speaking heritage. Believing deeply that these Americans should, as a group, thank the United States for the gifts of freedom given their parents, Danny also felt the support of St. Jude would be a noble way of honoring his immigrant forefathers who had come to America.
Danny's request struck a responsive chord. In 1957, 100 representatives of the Arab-American community met in Chicago to form ALSAC® with a sole purpose of raising funds for the support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Since that time, with national headquarters in Memphis and regional offices throughout the United States, ALSAC has assumed full responsibility for all the hospital's fundraising efforts, raising hundreds of millions annually through benefits and solicitation drives among Americans of all ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds. Today, ALSAC is the nation's second largest health-care charity* and is supported by the efforts of more than 1 million volunteers nationwide.

Through striking improvements in the care of pediatric leukemias and numerous forms of solid tumors, St. Jude—which now has a daily operating cost of $1.9 million—has brought about improved health care for children all over the world. St. Jude's physicians and scientists have pioneered treatments that have helped push the overall survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent when the hospital opened in 1962 to 80 percent today.

From a promise of "Help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine" to the fulfillment of his dream, Danny lived to see his little hospital become an international beacon of hope for the catastrophically ill children of the world. The founder of St. Jude and ALSAC died on February 6, 1991, just two days after joining patients, parents and employees to celebrate the hospital's 29th anniversary. He was laid to rest in a family crypt at the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion on the grounds of the hospital. On July 12, 2000, his wife, Rose Marie, passed away and now lies with her beloved husband in the hospital's Memorial Garden. 

Today, their children, Marlo, Terre and Tony, carry on their parents' work and remain a driving force in fulfilling their father's mission. Danny Thomas is gone, but his dream lives on.


18th Annual, "Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude"

September 13, 2014

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758
(256) 325-3779


 Donate
In person at the event or
Check or money orders:
Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

Monday, August 11, 2014

For The Children at St. Jude Children's Hospital!!

WOW!! Read this Facebook post from Singer/Songwriter, MaryJustice Lucas*



"PLEASE SHARE THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS (pages)

Post #2 I know it’s long, but please take a moment to read.

SAVE THE DATE: 09/13/2014! Stem & Stein in Madison / Time: to be announced

Ok guys, so most of you hopefully saw post #1 about this event! This is to raise money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Lots of us songwriters are working on ways to earn donations besides just what will be collected at the show.

I have prayed about it and have come to the one that is heavy on my heart.

I would like to see how many donations I can raise for St. Jude's by buzz cutting all of my hair off.

It hit me pretty hard thinking about how my Grandfather, Carl D. Lucas, battled with cancer as well, and how I regret not shaving my head for him. Honestly, it never crossed my mind 'til later on in his battle and then when it did, I was afraid it would really just break his heart, instead of comfort him... So I want to do something like that now... In honor and memory of him, in honor and memory of those past & present that have had cancer affect their lives or someone in it ... I know it's not a cure but it's a step towards one, I pray... 

So, I'm wondering how many of you would possibly be willing to make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation.

Every penny counts ... Even if it's a dollar, it makes a difference...

So please comment or message me and let me know if you would like to donate.

My goal is to raise at least $500.

Thank you in advance for your love and support!

~DIRECTIONS FOR DONATIONS~

1. In person at the Stem & Stein fundraiser

2. Check or money orders:
-Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital
-with my name (MaryJustice) on the memo line
-mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

3. Direct link to “Singer/Songwriters for St. Jude Event” donation FaceBook page.
- I will post this link once I have it."

MaryJustice Lucas and Young Fan at Swampers



Event: 
September 13, 2014
10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758
(256) 325-3779

Note: This event is a very worthy cause. Please read the July 30th post regarding history of this annual event. Line-up of all singers with photos in a future post. Please click the links and like these pages on facebook to show your support! Don't forget, every dollar ($) helps toward the treatment and finding a cure for childhood cancer. St. Jude Children's Hospital treats and and has saved lives of many children, at no cost to the families. ALL monies collected at this event will be matched by Mr. Del McGee and The Stem and Stein, so your donation will be tripled. 
ALL FUNDS GO DIRECTLY TO ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
*click the links

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

MaryJustice Lucas Playing Swampers

Saturday, August 9, 2014 
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Swampers Bar and Grill
10 Hightower Pl, Florence, AL 35630


MaryJustice Lucas has been invited for a return engagement at Swampers! This 19-year old, up and coming entertainer, is someone to keep in your sights! MaryJustice currently holds the #5 spot on ReverbNation's Nashville Pop (Singer/Songwriter) Chart and consistently ranks in the Top 10. Although ranked as "Pop," her music is more in the Indie style. Her songs are written and performed, straight from the heart, with "bittersweet honesty". Whether considered Pop, Indie or New Country, her songs appeal to music lovers of all ages.  

MaryJustice recently released an EP entitled "Forgiveness and Faith" now available on iTunes, Amazon and other internet music stores.

If you are in the area or near by, it's worth the trip to spend the evening with MaryJustice at the legendary and "family friendly" Swampers.