Artistic communities around the world continue to come together in efforts to aid the island nation of Haiti after the devastating earthquakes of January 12, 2010. Music City has done its part with the recent collaboration of the biggest names in Nashville’s own Country, Christian and Gospel music communities.
Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY and Dove Award winning artist Michael W. Smith gathered a community of Nashville-based artists on January 27 at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studio to record “Come Together Now” – a song written by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan – to benefit Haiti relief efforts.
Released under the banner Music City Unites For Haiti (Various Artists), and with the studio’s, artists’ and musicians’ time all donated, proceeds from the single will go to designated charity and relief work through Samaritan’s Purse and American Red Cross.
The single is now available at all digital retailers.
Bringing aid and relief efforts to Haiti is a personal mission for Michael W. Smith, who has already traveled to the island with Samaritan’s Purse, a non-denominational evangelical Christian humanitarian organization, in the wake of the earthquake, and whose wife Debbie has done missionary work in the nation in the past.
“I’m deeply grateful to Michael for all his efforts to help those suffering in Haiti,” shares Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse. “Every artist and every individual who can use their talent and ability to shed light on those in need, when it’s all added together, it makes a huge difference. My prayer is that God will use this song and video to touch the hearts of this nation to give generously to the people of Haiti.”
In addition, “Come Together Now” will be the lead track for the March 2nd Healing4Haiti, a full album project featuring songs by artists including Israel Houghton, DecembeRadio, Kari Jobe, The Afters, Hawk Nelson, Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosley, Canton Jones, Lincoln Brewster and Mary Mary. For more information on the album, please visit: www.samaritanspurse.org.
Artists part of “Come Together Now” Music City Unites for Haiti include:
Aaron Shust, Alathea, Amy Grant Vince Gill, Ashley Cleveland, Austins Bridge, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Chris McClarney, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Sligh, Don Poythress, Dorothy Savage, Duane Allen, Echoing Angels, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, Jaime Jamgochian, Jared Anderson, Jody Davis, John Schlitt, Kate Lazar, Katinas, Kevin Max, Kirk Sullivan, Lee Greenwood, Manic Drive, Margaret Becker, Mark Hall, Matt Dowley, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Meredith Andrews, Michael Tait, MIKESCHAIR, Mike Weaver, Paige Armstrong, Phil Stacey, Point of Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Restless Heart, Selah, Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac, Veronica Petrucci, Wynonna, and Yellow Cavalier.
Yesterday at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios, multi-platinum, GRAMMY and Dove Award winning artist, Michael W. Smith gathered a who’s-who list from the music community to record “Come Together Now.” The song, penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan – and produced by Bryan Lenox – was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti.
“The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure out how we can help,” shares Smith. “We wanted to create something that the community could support, for the greater good of those in Haiti. Everyone gave of their time: the studio was donated, the musicians donated their time and all proceeds from this song will go to designated charity/relief work through The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. It’s incredible to be part of something that is going to help
so many people.”
In addition to lending their voices in song, several artists also recorded PSA’s for The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse for use in upcoming months.
Contributing artists include: Aaron Shust, Alathea, Amber Hezlep, Anthony Moreino, Anthony Skinner, Ashley Cleveland, Austins Bridge, B. Reith, Brady Toops, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Byron Chambers, Calvin Nowell, Charmaine, Chris McClarney, Chris Sligh, Chuck Girard, Dana Jorgensen, Darwin Hobbs, David Mullen, Don Poythress, Donovan Tea, Dorothy Savage, Duane Allen, Echoing Angels, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, Greg Jennings, Hillary McBride, Jaime Jamgochian, Jared Anderson, Jasmine Sagginario, Jason Baird, Jason Dunn, Jimmie Allen, Jody Davis, John Ford Coley, John Schlitt, Joseph Martino, Julia Ross, Justin Rivers, Kate Lazar, Kate Schettler, The Katinas, Kevin Max, Kirk Sullivan, Lara Landon, Lanae Hale, Lannie Anderson, Lee Greenwood, Mandisa, Manic Drive, Margaret Becker, Mark Hall and Megan Garrett of Casting Crowns, Matt Dowley, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Melinda Doolittle, Meredith Andrews, Michael Cavallo, Michael Olson, Michael Tait, Michael Tash, MIKESCHAIR, Mike Weaver, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, The Oak Ridge Boys, Paige Armstrong, Phil Stacey, Point of Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Rachel B. James, Reco Hight, Restless Heart, Ruben Mundo, Russ Mohr, Sarah Ross, Sarah Sadler, Selah, Shannon Cochran, Shawn Cavallo, Stephanie Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Terrence James, TobyMac, Tommy Coomes, Travis Cottrell, Trey Heffinger, Wynonna, and Yellow Cavalier. (Artist list subject to change.)
The song will be made available for sale soon, with all proceeds going to benefit relief efforts to Haiti. More details on the song’s release date are forthcoming.