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By Scott Nicholson
It’s a little early in the year to think about stocking
stuffers, but a seasonal project is heating up to ensure that
nobody’s stocking goes empty this Christmas.
A music project bringing together a variety of High Country
talent will be collected into a compact disc that will be sold
in the three-county region served by the Hunger Coalition. The
project is the brainchild of Crae Morton, who got the idea after
hearing a church choir performing at a Christmas service. “I
heard a song by the choir and thought about how they spent a
lot of time practicing just to perform it once,” he said.
“If we put it on a CD, it could be heard many times.”
Morton, who is serving as the project’s producer, said
the CD will show off the diversity of talent and styles in the
mountains, from traditional mountain music and bluegrass to
Gospel hymns and even a bagpipe tune.
A number of local musicians have committed to donating performances
or songs, and artists are helping with the packaging and promotion.
Morton said sponsorships are available for $100, which will
earn a CD and a mention on the sleeve. Sponsorships will help
fund the cost of recording, which will take place at Appalachian
State University’s Hayes School of Music. Among the participating
musicians are Rebecca Eggers Gryder, the Todd Wright Quartet,
First Presbyterian Church children’s choir, Rumple Presbyterian
Church choir and Jessica Presnell. Wright, director of Jazz
studies at ASU, is also one of the project’s organizers.
“Because they are artists in the area served by the Hunger
Coalition, that adds a special touch,” Morton said. “These
are all seasonal and holiday tunes. It’s a fun project
and it will raise awareness of the Hunger Coalition.”
A couple of performance slots are still open and the project
still needs more sponsors. Groups interested in performing should
send a tape or CD to the “Holiday CD Project”, c/o
The Hunger and Health Coalition, 141 Health Center Drive, Boone,
NC 28607. An open air tape recording will suffice for submission.
Because interested groups will likely exceed available space
on the CD, a committee will review submissions and decide on
the final lineup.
Additionally, any retailers who want to sell the CD can contact
Morton at (828) 733-2013 and contributions to the project are
tax-deductible. Retailers will also benefit by being featured
in media advertisement of the CD.
Organizers hope to begin selling the CD in October and continue
through the holiday shopping season. A CD release party and
event is tentatively scheduled for early October.
The Hunger Coalition helps feed the hungry or those in a crisis
in Avery, Watauga and Ashe counties. More information is available
at www.hungercoalition.com.
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