Cancer Diagnosis Brings Renewed Focus
(Nashville, Tennessee...) - Less than a year ago Wade Hayes received news that would not only change his life but potentially end it. The singer, songwriter and guitar slinger was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer last December. Successful surgery and chemotherapy removed the cancer and gave him a renewed sense of purpose for his life and career. He was inspired to write a song called "Is It Already Time" about his ordeal, and many from the team that helped launch his career at Sony Music/Columbia Records have reunited to produce, promote, publicize, market and sell his new music for a worthy cause - cancer research.
Spearheaded by former Columbia Nashville promotion vet Jeri Cooper, she and Hayes' longtime manager Mike Robertson have brought together former Sony/Columbia staffers Allen Butler, Craig Campbell (Campbell Entertainment Group), Blake Chancey, Jack Christopher (RPM Entertainment), Debi Fleischer, JR Hughes (Quarterback Records), Bob Mitchell (Big & Rich/The Farm Management), Jennifer Shaffer and Scott Siman. The single will be released on Siman's RPM Entertainment label. Publicity duties will be shared by Campbell and Hayes' longtime indie publicist Ronna Rubin, and other Columbia alums and other generous companies are donating their time and effort to increase awareness.
"I knew I felt strongly about this and I kept getting yes's from people who wanted to help, so I knew I had to keep going," said Cooper. It's really amazing to see all of these people come together for the love of an artist and the sole purpose of helping him realize a simple dream of letting the world know the importance of getting tested for colon cancer."
Wade brought hit producer Don Cook, who was at the helm for his six Top 15 singles and the gold-selling albums Old Enough To Know Better and On A Good Night, out of retirement to produce "Is It Already Time." Plans are in the works to record an entire album for release in 2013.
Play MPE has donated digital distribution of the single to country radio stations, and Dale Turner and Radio Informer have agreed to include the single free of charge on their September 17, 2012 Country Sampler CD. The single will be available on iTunes, amazon.com, Spotify and most digital outlets, and all proceeds will go to the Colon Cancer Alliance. To listen to the new single, visit www.wadehayes.com. Audio PSAs are available to radio stations interested in adding them to their inventory.
"You will be reading a lot about Wade, his continuing struggle with colon cancer, and this song in coming days," said Bob Moody, founder and Senior Consultant of the Real Local Radio Group. It probably won't be a hit in the usual sense, because the subject matter is so emotionally powerful, but it should be a 'Song of the Year' candidate next year. This is a unique situation, but I am hopeful that most of my radio colleagues have enough heart, brains, and courage to see that this song gets the exposure it deserves."
In its June 23, 2012 issue, Country Weekly Magazine placed Wade Hayes on the cover of the popular fan publication - a coveted spot usually reserved for current superstar artists - and followed with a four-page feature inside the issue detailing Wade's diagnosis, treatment and his dreams for the future.
Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the US. The American Cancer Society estimates that 143,460 people will be diagnosed in 2012 and that 51,690 will die from colon cancer in the United States. Early detection is vital -- over 80% of all cases of colon cancer can be prevented with recommended screening. Despite its high incidence, colon cancer is one of the most detectable and, if found early enough, most treatable forms of cancer. If you are 50 or older, or younger than 50 and have symptoms are a family history getting a screening test for colon cancer could save your life.
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