NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (Dec. 5, 2014) – Mercury Nashville / 19 / Interscope Records artist Scotty McCreery performed a fundraising concert at the Toyota Oakdale in Wallingford, CT last night that raised $60,000 for the 12.14 Foundation. Their mission is to develop programs that help children gain confidence, inspiration and skills to rise above and ultimately go beyond even the most horrific events. The programs will be an innovative combination of exploration of the arts, and a coherent, evidence based personal development strategy. The organization’s long-term goal is to build a special center to house these multi-disciplinary educational programs, including a performing arts center, which will be based in Newtown, but its doors will be open to benefit people nationwide. The center will honor those lost on December 14, 2012, while providing a venue that supports many forms of healing and forward-looking positive change.
McCreery serves as a National Goodwill Ambassador for the 12.14 Foundation and was excited to bring his “See You Tonight Tour” (featuring special guest Danielle Bradbery) to the area and help them move closer to their dream. “Music has always been a positive force in my life, whether as a fan or now as an entertainer,” said the singer/songwriter. “It feels great to bring people together with my music and help such a worthwhile cause as the 12.14 Foundation.”
“Scotty’s benefit concert last night was nothing short of incredible,” said Michael Baroody, MD, Founder of the 12.14 Foundation. “He showed his strong support of the 12.14 Foundation, love for his country and honored the sacrifices of our troops. Even at such a young age, he serves as an example for all of us. In addition to his obvious musical talents, Scotty is genuine, kind and has unshakable conviction. His generosity from last night helps further our efforts to utilize the performing arts in helping children understand their strengths, passions and capabilities preparing them with tools for tomorrow.”
McCreery is currently rising up the charts with his hit single “Feelin’ It” from his sophomore album See You Tonight, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. That album’s title song, a top 10 hit co-written by the singer, was one of three singles from the “American Idol” champion that were recently certified Platinum by the RIAA in the same week (the other two being “The Trouble with Girls” and “I Love You This Big” from his Platinum-certified first album Clear as Day, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart). The ACM, CMT Music, ACA, and ICM Award winner, who was recently ranked No. 2 on Country Weekly’s “2014 Country’s Sexiest Men Poll,” will be a presenter on the upcoming inaugural “American Country Countdown Awards” broadcast airing live from Nashville on Dec. 15 on the FOX Television Network. For tour dates and more information, visit ScottyMcCreery.com. Follow him on Facebook atFacebook.com/ScottyMcCreery and on Twitter @ScottyMcCreery.
About the 12.14 Foundation
The 12.14 Foundation’s long-range goal is to build a landmark, multi-purpose performing arts and education center of historical significance in Newtown as a beacon of hope and positive change for use by and to benefit people everywhere. To be designed by a team of world-class professionals, the center is intended to attract top tier performers and will incorporate advanced multi-media capabilities to extend the foundation’s reach to a worldwide audience.
The foundation currently provides leadership training for Newtown students in conjunction with experts from the Yale University School of Management, and produces arts programming in other venues, such as its recent productions of “The 101 Dalmatians Musical,” “A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Seussical: the Musical.” The productions garnered national attention and included the participation of more than 200 children from the Newtown area in collaboration with award-winning Broadway directors, actors and producers.
For more information and to make donations, visit http://www.1214foundation.org. Mobile phone users can make a $10 tax-deductible donation to 12.14 Foundation by texting CTKIDS to 80077*.
