(Nashville, Tenn. – March 21, 2012)  With recent initiatives involving Carter’s Chord, The Rick & Bubba Show and its presence at Country Radio Seminar 2012, global humanitarian organization World Vision continues its push into the Country music market.

Female Country trio Carter’s Chord embarked on a goodwill trip earlier this year to the Dominican Republic, where the group personally sponsored two children of their own.  During the visit, the sisters experienced firsthand the work of World Vision out in the field and filmed a video for their song, “Love A Little Bigger.”

Popular syndicated radio show hosts Rick & Bubba recently partnered with World Vision for the third year in a row for their two-day Rick & Bubba Show radiothon.  The event resulted in the sponsorship of more than 800 children through the World Vision program.

“The global impact we’ve been able to make on over 825 children’s lives this year, and over 2,600 children since 2009, is beyond words,” said Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey.  “The overwhelming response from our listeners and the ability to be part of something so meaningful just blows us away.  Doing what we do for a living and being able to make such an impact through World Vision really does make it all worth while.”

In an effort to raise awareness in the Country music community, World Vision was also an active supporter and sponsor at Country Radio Seminar 2012, held February 22-24 in downtown Nashville.  The nonprofit organization sponsored the CRS media room, meeting and recording PSA messages with more than 60 artists during the three-day event.

Country acts Adam Gregory and Amber Hayes were among the artists introduced to World Vision at CRS 2012.  They join a growing list of supporters in the Country format, including Carter’s Chord, Terri Clark, Sarah Darling, Patty Griffin, LoCash Cowboys, Ricky Skaggs, Chuck Wicks and Wynonna, among others.

“Country artists and their fans are among the most generous people in the world,” says World Vision Channel/Product Director Michael Bianchi.  “It is World Vision’s desire to empower artists to spread the news about how their fans can help make lasting change around the world, and we were thrilled with the interest we received at CRS 2012 from the Country music industry.”

World Vision raises more than $2 billion annually through its work in nearly 100 different countries, employing more than 40,000 individuals around the world.  The organization is currently sponsoring 4.1 million children in its fight against poverty and its mission to provide things like medical care, access to education, economic development, spiritual nurture and disaster relief for those in need.  One of the founding members of the ONE campaign, World Vision is consistently ranked among the top charities in the world.

More than 400 artists and celebrities have committed to the World Vision cause to date, including musical acts: Terri Clark, Patty Griffin, The Isaacs, Sarah McLachlan, PawnShop kings, Kenny Rogers, Jordyn Shellhart, Ricky Skaggs and Wynonna. For more information, visit www.WorldVision.org.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.  For more information, visit www.WorldVision.org.

Pictured above: Carter’s Chord met one of their sponsored children, Franyely (center), and her family during the group’s goodwill trip to the Dominican Republic earlier this year.

(Nashville, Tenn. – Sept. 8, 2011)  Global humanitarian organization World Vision has announced the addition of several Country music artists to its growing list of supporters in the United States and around the world.

The most recent round of artists to join the World Vision efforts are: Attwater, Carter’s Chord, Jason Crabb, Sarah Darling, Lainey Edwards, LoCash Cowboys and Gary Morris.  Since 2009, World Vision has become an active sponsor at the CMA Music Festival and increased its presence within the Country music community through its Use Your Voice: Do Good campaign.  The campaign has already achieved success within the Gospel and Contemporary Christian markets with more than 900,000 sponsorships of children in need.

Artists in partnership with World Vision use their voices on the road and elsewhere to encourage fans to join them in speaking out on behalf of those around the world whose voices are not heard: the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed.  Among the diverse roster of acts already committed to the World Vision cause are: Terri Clark, Patty Griffin, The Isaacs, Sarah McLachlan, PawnShop kings, Kenny Rogers, Jordyn Shellhart, Ricky Skaggs, Chuck Wicks and Wynonna. Together, these and many other artists and fans have sponsored nearly one million children over the last 23 years.

World Vision Artists are humanitarian advocates who mobilize and educate their fans about the desperate need of millions of children and families worldwide.  Because of their strong voice among a crucial audience, World Vision Artists play a vital role in supporting World Vision’s efforts to make a difference and influence change around the world.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.  For more information, visit www.WorldVision.org.

April 15, 2011, Nashville, TN–Humanitarian and relief organization World Vision hosted a reception at the CMA headquarters for Music Row executives to meet World Vision U.S. President Rich Stearns. For the past two years World Vision has been working to expand their successful “Use Your Voice: Do Good” campaign into the Country marketplace by partnering with artists through tour sponsorships and development. 

Stearns, a best-selling author and former president of Parker Brothers Games and CEO of Lenox China, wanted to meet with country music influencers to further the conversation regarding global issues of justice and poverty and the positive impact artists can have. “Use Your Voice: Do Good” provides an opportunity for the Country music community to join forces with one of the most respected humanitarian organizations in the world in an effort to combat the issues of poverty around the globe.

The event was attended by over 50 Music Row executives and was hosted by World Vision’s Nashville based team. The “host committee” for the event included John Huie (CAA), Kathy Olen (WME), Lynn Morrow (Adams & Reese, LLP) and Steve Moore (CMA), each of whom have been involved in discussions with World Vision during the past two years regarding country music initiatives.

“Use Your Voice: Do Good” has been a very successful campaign within the Gospel and Contemporary Christian touring market with more than 750,000 children in need being sponsored over the past 12 years alone. World Vision has more than 20 years of experience in touring and music business partnerships and believes the Country market is a natural fit in their ongoing efforts to help more children. Artists who have been involved thus far include Ricky Skaggs, Wynonna, Patty Griffin, Kenny Rogers, Terri Clark, Chuck Wicks, and Jordyn Shellhart.

Stearns stated, “At World Vision we look for the most relevant and impactful means of telling the message of those who desperately need our help around the world. Over and over we have seen and experienced the power of the voice of artists like those in country music. Not only does the music have an impact, but artists also have the platform and the respect to influence significant change for generations to come.”

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.