(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 16, 2012)  Country artists are stepping up and showing their support in the fight against autism on Tuesday, March 13, at the Nashville benefit concert Autism Speaks™ Presents “Autism Sings!”

 

Country artists Ty Herndon, Bucky Covington, Bo Bice, Carter’s Chord and Mockingbird Sun will perform individual acoustic sets at the event, as will 13-year-old Katie Chance, who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum when she was two years old.   An accomplished singer and performer, Chance also serves as the Junior Ambassador for Autism Speaks Tennessee Community.  CMT Top 20 Countdown host Evan Farmer is emceeing the “Autism Sings!” event, which benefits research efforts at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Autism Research.

“Autism Sings!” is held from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. in the upstairs room at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Nashville.  VIP seating is available beginning at 6 p.m.  Public seating and doors open at 7 p.m., with music starting at 8 p.m.  There is a minimum $5 donation at the door.  Advanced tickets are also available by contacting Kathy Streng at (615) 238-1625 or Kathy.Streng@AutismSpeaks.org.

“We are thrilled with our fantastic lineup of musicians, whose talent is only overshadowed by their generosity and support of such an important cause.  For only $5, people can see a great night of music and help fund critical research for the one in every 110 children diagnosed with autism,” says Autism Speaks Regional Director, Kathy Streng.   “We are very grateful for the continued outpouring of caring and generous support from this wonderful community.”

Over the past five years, Autism Speaks has given back more than $2 million to the state of Tennessee.  Funds are used to support the initiatives at the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) at Vanderbilt University, science grants, community grants, AutismCares grants, Baker Camp Scholarships and various toolkits that are available for free, including the 100-Day Kit, developed to provide much needed support to families during the initial diagnosis period.

An autographed guitar signed by all six participating “Autism Sings” artists is being auctioned off, and fans can also bid on meet-and-greet packages with the artists.   For more information, contact Kathy Streng at (615) 238-1625 or Kathy.Streng@AutismSpeaks.org.

Media interested in attending should contact Christy Watkins at Aristo P.R. at (615) 269-7071 or christy@aristomedia.com.