Artists Step-In To Lend Voices In Messages Dedicated To Military Children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 9, 2012)—American country singer/songwriter, national recording artist
Billy Reasons participated in the 2012 CMA Awards Week activities for the very first time, not as a hopeful nominee, presenter or performer, but as the founder and spearhead of the charity organization
Billy’s Bear, Inc.
A former Air Force veteran, Billy Reasons launched
Billy’s Bear as an endeavor to bring the voices of loved ones home from the fields of battle afar to family and children here in the states via “the heart” of a cuddly, furry, teddy bear. To date, the organization has delivered more than 6,000 bears to the children of our nation’s deployed parents and aims to distribute 10,000 Billy’s Bears in 2013.
Traditionally, Reasons travels abroad to perform for our service men and women, bringing the bears to our sisters and brothers of service who record on-site a personal message, loving greeting, or prayer from behind the walls of war. Upon return to the USA, Reasons delivers the personalized bears to the corresponding military children and families. The bears made their first appearance at the “Music Row Live” radio remotes with a bit of a different intention from their usual purpose.
Each year, Sharla McCoy of McCoy & Associates selects a charity to be recognized as part of the annual three-day “Music Row Live” radio remotes held at the Tracking Room in Nashville, Tenn. This year, McCoy embraced the vision of Billy’s Bear [a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation] and its mission to reach out to children of military families whose parents will sadly not return home from duty.
McCoy delivered a moving presentation to introduce Billy's Bear to the major market radio stations and key industry representatives in attendance during her annual radio reception and "Picking Party." McCoy gave a heartfelt testimony surrounding the bears meaningful purpose: "These bears make lifetime impressions on not only the deserving children, but tug at the heart strings of those parents serving overseas who are unable to be at home with their little blessings to tuck them into bed each night." Following McCoy, Army Staff Sgt. Dustin Buzze, who served three tours of duty and is currently stationed at 101st Airborne/Fort Campbell, shared his personal experience of the role Billy's Bear played in connecting him with his young children while deployed—moved the audience to tears.
Reasons’ story and the cuddly bears’ messages captivated the enthusiasm and compassion of all who attended. Each artist participant (including Rodney Adkins, Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Chris Young and Teddy Gentry of Alabama) recorded a special message intended for a child who has lost a mother or father in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. Many superstars (such as Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and Kelly Clarkson) also signed the bears’ t-shirts dedicated as auction items to support the charity’s funding efforts.
All of the represented radio stations attending the 2012 “Music Row Live” remotes will return to their respective cities and distribute the recorded
Billy’s Bear to a deserving child in their own community.
“Nothing can take the place of a lost parent, but with the help of our friends in country music, we are hoping this bear will bring comfort to as many children as possible with the warmth of a bear hug and a heartfelt message from a favorite country music artist,” Reasons introduced.
“The outpour of support and eagerness from all of our artists has been overwhelming and above and beyond what we ever imagined,” raved the director of “Music Row Live” Sharla McCoy. “Billy’s Bear is an organization very dear to my heart; we are blessed to work so closely with the good people serving our country and proud to have introduced such a worthy cause to our friends in radio and to the artists here in Music City.”
“I am truly privileged and honored to champion such an important foundation,” Reasons added. “I have seen tears of gratitude stream down the faces of the toughest service men and women because this small fur-wrapped gift is the sole reason their child recognizes the sound of their voice. And if we can bring just a little bit of comfort and happiness to those children who have lost a mom or dad overseas through this week’s efforts then we can all sleep a little better at night.”
