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February 21, 2010,
Kevin P. Donovan, (Christian Post)- While the
star-studded cast of “Valentine’s Day” was helping the
romance flick snag the box office’s No. 1 spot with its
$52.4 million debut, another star-studded crew released
its highly anticipated project over the same weekend but
with a different aim.
Two weeks after Christian music star Michael W. Smith
gathered a who's-who list from the Christian and Country
music communities to record "Come Together Now," the
song was released on iTunes and Amazon for purchase
along with the mission to support quake-devastated Haiti
by having all proceeds from the song's sales benefit
relief efforts there.
In total, over 100 artists were brought on board for the
project, including Aaron Shust, Brandon Heath, Chris
Sligh, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, The Katinas,
Mandisa, Mark Hall, Matthew West, Melinda Doolittle,
Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, Phil Stacey, Point of
Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Steven Curtis Chapman,
and TobyMac.
The song – penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy
Morgan – was written to remind people of the need to
help those in Haiti following last month’s 7.0-magnitude
earthquake.
"The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure
out how we can help," said Smith as he assembled the
award-winning group artists.
"We wanted to create something that the community could
support, for the greater good of those in Haiti,” he
added.
For the project, Belmont University opened the doors of
its Ocean Way Studios to the artists and the musicians
donated their time with the intent to have all proceeds
from the song to go to designated charity/relief work
through The American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse.
In addition to lending their voices in song, several
artists also recorded PSA's for The American Red Cross
and Samaritan's Purse for use in upcoming months.
“It's incredible to be part of something that is going
to help so many people," commented Smith.
In the days leading to the song's release, a website (cometogethernowhaiti.com)
was created, as well as a Facebook page and Twitter
account.
Through these and other media, the artists behind “Come
Together Now” are encouraging their fans to help spread
word of the project and to also call their local radio
stations to request for the song to be played.
The cost to purchase the song on iTunes and Amazon.com
is $1.29. The project’s website also provides a way for
supporters to make direct donations to Samaritan’s Purse
and The American Red Cross.
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