ACM LIFTING LIVES “SERIES AT VANDERBILT”
The ACM Lifting Lives Series at Vanderbilt is designed as a research-based program that incorporates activities to provide vocational and social skills training that will reduce stress, improve confidence and self-esteem for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Participants (ages 16-50; living in middle Tennessee) will be selected through an application process that seeks to recruit individuals with vocational interest related to the entertainment industry.
In 2013, we will launch the pilot program to include 10 participants. The program will include eight monthly sessions (4-5 hours each) that will expose the participants to the entertainment industry and various support roles which ultimately “make the music happen.” The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center will develop the program curriculum. The ACM host committee will facilitate volunteer engagement for each session. Each activity will be planned with an emphasis on employment and volunteer opportunities and some activities will include resume writing and an interview skills workshop.
The ultimate goal of the experience is for participants who complete the program develop the skills to be placed in an internship or job. The activities and outcomes should encourage media attention that will publicize the mission of ACM Lifting Lives and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.
ACM LIFTING LIVES BENEFIT GALA
GARTH BROOKS AND TRISHA YEARWOOD TO HOST ACM LIFTING LIVES® BENEFIT GALA PRESENTED BY MATTRESS FIRM IN DALLAS, TEXAS ON APRIL 17, 2015 GALA TO FEATURE HEADLINERS KEITH URBAN & LADY ANTEBELLUM PLUS SPECIAL PERFORMANCES BY HUNTER HAYES AND LITTLE BIG TOWN NANCY O’DELL & MONTEL WILLIAMS TO CO-HOST
Country music luminaries Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will host the first-ever fundraising gala on April 17, 2015, just two days before the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards. The benefit gala presented by Mattress Firm will take place at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The gala will feature ACM Awards nominees Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, and special performances by Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town and The Band Perry.
A host of celebrities along with prominent music industry and entertainment executives are scheduled to attend. The inaugural gala will kick off with a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner, live auction and a stellar line-up of performances by country music’s most celebrated artists.
ACM Lifting Lives will be donating funds raised from the gala to several Texas-based organizations including Garth Brooks' charity, Teammates for Kids and the Child Life Zones in Children's Health of Dallas and Cook Children’s of Fort Worth.
"The Academy has an almost 50-year history of charitable giving and wonderful relationships with Garth and Trisha. When Garth called about hosting this event, it was the culmination of years of hard work, and furthers the missions of our organizations - healing through the power of music, and improving lives by connecting fans, artists and the industry," said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
"Mattress Firm is passionate about improving lives and we are excited to partner with ACM Lifting Lives and their commitment to help others through music," said Karrie Forbes, Mattress Firm Foundation Board Member and Chief Marketing Officer of Mattress Firm.
The benefit gala is among the highly-anticipated events held during the ACM Awards week culminating with the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music's Party of the Year®. The ceremony, co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, will broadcast LIVE from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.