Friday, April 23, 2010

Several students currently attending Texas colleges are funding their higher educations in part with money raised for scholarships at the Lubbock Independent School District's annual Evening of the Arts concerts.  April 23rd's concert at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center is the fourth one.

The Evening of the Arts is one of the biggest musical events of the year for the school district. The show featured a variety of talent, including an appearance by recording artist Richie McDonald, former lead singer with the band Lonestar.

Every dollar spent on the tickets went toward scholarships for LISD graduates who study music or art education at Texas colleges or universities, said Robert Rumph, the school district's director of fine arts.

"The goal is for them to come back to Lubbock to teach," he said.

The concert spotlighted performers from all four LISD high schools and rotational representation from middle schools and elementary schools, Rumph said. The time limitations of producing a 90-minute show prevents featuring students from every school in the district every year.

Graduates from all four LISD high schools have benefited from the scholarships and are currently attending Texas Tech. Wayland Baptist University, South Plains College and West Texas A&M University, Rumph said.

McDonald, who sang two songs at the Evening of the Arts, also performed at a Saturday concert that benefited the same scholarship fund.

The CH Foundation, the Helen Jones Foundation and individual donors have also contributed to the scholarship fund, he said. Altogether $23,000 has been raised over the years, he said.

"We get some outstanding support from the community," he said.

Rumph said the money raised from a silent auction at the concert also went to the scholarship fund, he said.

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  Country artist MARK CHESNUTT has announced that he will tour with RICHIE McDONALD & TRACY LAWRENCE’s “Country Rat Pack” tour for select dates this SPRING and SUMMER. CHESNUTT will perform with the tour for five shows beginning APRIL 3rd in FT. PIERCE, FL. He will also join the tour for stops in OCEAN CITY, MD on MAY 7th, NORTH BEND, OR on MAY 28th, COLUMBUS, GA on JULY 17th and WEBSTER, MA on AUGUST 15th. 

  CHESNUTT was added to the tour after Country artist TRACY BYRD revealed that he would no longer be a part of the tour. 

  CHESNUTT said: “TRACY BYRD is a very good friend of mine so when they called asking if I could fill in, there was absolutely no hesitation from me; I said yes. Being a ‘Rat Packer’ gives me a chance to reunite with my old Roadhouse buddy TRACY LAWRENCE and I've always respected RICHIE McDONALD. I just can’t wait.”

Since the earthquake hit Haiti in January, World Help has been working around the clock to provide basic needs to thousands whose lives have been devastated by the quake.

We have seen an incredible response to this catastrophe and in appreciation for what our donors have done, we created a music video using footage and photos from Haiti and put them to the song that Richie recorded with the Children of the World, “Blessed are the Hands.”

Our prayer is that this video will touch the hearts of those who have given and prayed for Haiti.

We are challenging individuals to continue to pray for Haiti and the restoration that is taking place. 

Click here to see how "Blessed Are The Hands"  is helping!

Recorded live at the historic Ryman in Nashville, Songs 4 Worship Country Live at the Ryman brings together an amazing array of country stars performing today's top Worship songs including Above All, Holy Is the Lord, Heart of Worship, Indescribable. These are once-in-a-lifetime performances recorded in the perfect setting, the Ryman Auditorium, the mother church of country music.

Songs 4 Worship Country Live features contemporary and traditional country stars such as Ricky Skaggs, Richie McDonald,  Bryan White, Collin Raye, Susan Ashton, and Rebecca Lynn Howard delivering powerful, uplifting performances in this intimate setting. The live show is enhanced with additional performances from Alabama, Randy Travis, Diamond Rio and Alison Krauss, all lending their voices to the greatest worship songs of all time. Additionally, the Songs 4 Worship Country Live DVD captures the power these great performances have to inspire and uplift at the historic Ryman theater. Songs 4 Worship Country: Live at the Ryman is an uplifting, one-of-a-kind collection that celebrates the powerful bond between country artists and their faith.

Additional selections from this collection will be sent to you every few weeks, each conveniently billed to your credit card. Click here to learn more.  

 To watch the video - click here !

Join Richie by helping with immediate disaster relief for Haiti.

Text RICHIE to 90999 to give $10 to Compassion International and Help Haiti.

 Courtesy of Country Weekly - November 14, 2009

Richie recently took part in the Miracle League Concert, a benefit to build a basesball field for the physically challenged kids  of Baton Rouge.  Check out this video to learn more about this great cause and the concert that raised over $100,000!

People First of Henry County, the annual sponsor of the Mr. and Miss Special Henry County Pageant, presents “If Every Day Could Be Christmas”, with our special guest, Richie McDonald. The concert will be held on Saturday, December 19, at 3:00 PM at the Henry County Performing Arts Center in McDonough, GA.

As the frontman for the multi-platinum band Lonestar for fifteen years, Richie McDonald won peoples hearts with classic ballads such as “Amazed” and “I’m Already There”. McDonald is now taking his music to the next level as he embarks on his solo career.

Beginning his solo career, McDonald recorded a Christmas album titled, “If Every Day Could Be Christmas” , which will be out on October 13th.  In June of 2007, Richie released a Christian album,  ”I Turn To You”, which spent a great deal of 2007 on the top 20 sales chart.   This was a different side of himself that Richie always wanted to show the fans.  Richie was on the cover of Homelife Magazine in February of this year, a monthly magazine that is devoted to nurturing godly families by providing biblical solutions and practical advice for everyday life. He has also co-written a song with renowned Christian author, Karen Kingsbury, and has performed at several E-Women Conferences around the United States.

Currently on tour promoting his country album, “Slow Down” , which is due out at the end of the year or early 2010, McDonald is taking the album title to heart, taking things slow and enjoying life.

Richie was the special guest Judge at last year’s sixth annual Mr. and Miss Special Henry County Pageant and also was our entertainment. He has a huge heart for people with special needs. Remember to include Saturday, December 19, in your holiday plans. Tickets will go on sale Monday, October 5, and are $20 each. They can be purchased online at RichieMcDonald.com (with an added $1 handling fee per ticket for debit or credit cards)  or you may purchase them at any of the seven Moye’s Pharmacy locations throughout Henry County for $20 with a check or cash.

Be sure and join Richie’s free online fan club to receive information about Richie and about his December 19th, Christmas show in  Henry County.   It will be a night to remember!

These concert tickets make an awesome Christmas gift for all your friends and family and a great way to celebrate the Christmas season! Make your plans now to join us for this VERY Special event! We are so fortunate to have Richie McDonald visit Henry County and perform a Christmas concert. He is very excited about coming back to Henry County. Only 700 tickets will be sold—so make sure you order your tickets early or go to your local Moye’s Pharmacy to purchase them.

A free meet and greet will be held after the show.  For more information, check out our website at People First of Henry County.