Saturday, October 30, 2010

Country Music Star Teams up with JDRF to Inspire Kids With Diabetes and Raise Money for Research

This is a subject I am very familiar with, both my boys were diagnosed with this dreaded disease at age 10 (1 year apart).  Odd thing is, that to have two brothers in the same family with type 1 diabetes, well the odds of this happening were more than winning the lottery.  We managed and they still manage the disease, and hopefully they come up with a cure in our lifetime.


-- George Canyon, award-winning country music recording artist, dedicates hit single to children living with type 1 diabetes, a condition he knows by heart --

NEW YORK, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of November's Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day 2010 (November 14), George Canyon, country music recording artist and Nashville Star finalist, will release his current Canadian hit single, "I Believe in Angels" in the U.S. and offer a special gift – a free download of the song at www.georgecanyon.com/jdrfusa in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). A donation will be made to JDRF on behalf of each download through the month. Canyon knows all too well what kids with diabetes go through; he has lived with the condition for 26 years.

"When I was diagnosed with diabetes at age 14, I didn't really have anyone to look up to. There wasn't anyone saying 'I'm living my dreams and I have diabetes,'" said Canyon. "This song is about living your dreams and not letting anything stand in your way."

In Canada, the single "I Believe in Angels" has reached number five on the country music charts.

"George Canyon has not let type 1 diabetes get in the way of achieving his dreams of becoming a singer," said Claire Schultz, SVP of Marketing and Communications for JDRF. "A long-time partner of our JDRF affiliate in Canada, we are pleased to have George Canyon reach audiences all over the U.S., and are grateful for support of JDRF."

Canyon will be joining JDRF chapters in New York, Los Angeles, Memphis and Nashville, giving inspirational talks and performances for children living with diabetes and their families.

For more information about George Canyon visit www.georgecanyon.com and to receive a free download of "I Believe in Angels," visit www.georgecanyon.com/jdrfusa.

This initiative is sponsored by Animas Corporation, makers of the OneTouch® Ping® Glucose Management System.

About George Canyon

Canadian country superstar George Canyon has come a long way since he placed #2 in the second season of the popular TV show "Nashville Star". He has had numerous chart-topping songs and received many top awards for his music. The award he's most proud of is a humanitarian award from the Canadian Country Music Awards for his support of the Canadian troops and his work to aid the search for a cure for type 1 diabetes. George was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 14 and was told that he would never realize his dreams of flying an airplane for the military. Today he flies his own plane and is an Honorary Colonel in the Canadian Airforce. Canyon tirelessly tours Canada and the U.S. giving inspirational talks and performances for children stricken with type 1 and their families with the message to 'never give up on their dreams'.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leader in research into a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump – each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Last year, it funded more than $100 million in diabetes research, in more than 20 countries. For more information, go to www.jdrf.org.

About type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system that strike children and adults suddenly, and lasts a lifetime. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. People with type 1 diabetes must take multiple injections of insulin daily or continuous infusion of insulin through a pump just to survive. Taking insulin does not cure any type of diabetes nor prevent the possibility of its devastating effects: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack, and stroke. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is often diagnosed in adulthood in which a person's body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively. There are approximately 3 million Americans living with type 1 diabetes, and more than 30,000 children and adults are diagnosed every year.


SOURCE JDRF

This Date In Music History - October 30

Birthdays:

Eddie Holland (Holland/Dozier/Holland), producer, songwriter, wrote Motown hits for Supremes, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, Freda Payne, Chairmen Of The Board. (1939)

Grace Slick - Jefferson Airplane, Starship, (1939)

Otis Williams - Temptations (1939)

Chris Slade - Manfred Mann's Earth Band, AC/DC, Gary Moore, The Firm (1946)

Timothy B Schmit - Poco, Eagles (1947)



David Green - Air Supply (1949)

Joey Belladonna - Anthrax (1960)

Jerry De Borg - Jesus Jones (1963)

Gavin Rossdale - Bush (1967)

Canadian rapper Snow, (Darrin O'Brien) (1969)

Tommy Walter - Eels (1970)

Maurizio Lobina - Eiffel 65 (1973)

Kassidy Osborn - SHeDAISY (1976)


They Are Missed:

In 2002, Jam Master Jay, from Run-DMC, was murdered by an assassin's single bullet at his recording studio in Queens, New York.

In 2003, Steve O'Rourke suffered a stroke and died in Miami, Florida. He had managed Pink Floyd since 1968, and was the executive producer for their 1982 film 'The Wall.'

In 2007, Linda Stein, former co-manager of punk band The Ramones, was found beaten to death at her Manhattan apartment. Mrs Stein was the ex-wife of Seymour Stein, former president of Sire Records, which was the launching pad for the Ramones, Talking Heads and Madonna. Mrs Stein had become one of New York's leading estate agents, her clients included Sting and Billy Joel, long-time friend Sir Elton John told the New York Times he was "absolutely shocked and upset".

Producer and saxophonist Mike Terry died in Detroit in 2008 (age 68). Worked with Martha And The Vandellas, Jackie Wilson, Mary Wells, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers and Edwin Starr.


History:

In 1960, Elvis Presley attended RCA studios in Nashville where he recorded fourteen Gospel songs for his upcoming LP 'His Hand In Mine.'

In 1961, Philles Records issues their first single, "There's No Other Love Like My Baby" by The Crystals, which will climb to #20 on the Billboard Pop chart early next year. The label derived its moniker by combining the first names of owners Phil Spector and Les Sill.

Also in 1961, just two days after Beatles fan Raymond Jones asked for The Beatles' German single "My Bonnie" (recorded with Tony Sheridan) at Brian Epstein's NEMS record store in Liverpool, two girls asked for the same record. Epstein's difficulty in locating the record was due to him not knowing that the record was released, not by The Beatles, but by Tony Sheridan and 'The Beat Brothers' ('Beatles' resembles a vulgar slang word in German, so The Beatles' name was changed for this single).

1963, On the final day of their Swedish tour in 1963, the Beatles recorded an appearance for the Sverige Television program ‘Drop In’ in Stockholm. They performed "She Loves You," "Twist and Shout," "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Long Tall Sally."

Roy Orbison was awarded his ninth Gold record in 1964 for "Oh! Pretty Woman," which will stay on the charts for 15 weeks.

Patty Duke's "Say Something Funny" entered the Billboard Pop chart in 1965, where it eventually reached #22.

The Who appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England in 1965.

In 1967, Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones admitted in court to possession of cannabis and allowing his flat to be used for the smoking of the drug. His plea of ‘not guilty’ to the charge of possessing methedrine and cocaine was accepted. Jones was sentenced to nine months in Wormwood Scrubs prison. He was released on bail the following day.

In 1968, the MC5 record live tracks for their upcoming album at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. The lyrics of the stage version of the single "Kick Out The Jams" are changed from "kick out the jams brothers and sisters" to "kick out the jams motherfuckers!,' causing quite a stir among both teens and parents.

Hotlegs made their live debut in 1970 supporting The Moody Blues at the Festival Hall, London. Their only hit "Neanderthal Man" made No. 2 in July 1970. The members from the group went on to become 10cc.

In 1970, Jim Morrison of The Doors was fined and sentenced to six months in jail after being found guilty of exposing himself during a gig in Miami. The case would still be on appeal when he died on July 3rd, 1971.

John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band went to #1 on the UK and US album charts in 1971 with 'Imagine.' The album contained two tracks attacking Paul McCartney, "How Do You Sleep" and "Crippled Inside." Produced by Phil Spector, Lennon and Yoko Ono, the set features contributions from George Harrison and members of Badfinger. It would be John's only solo LP to sell a million copies and his most popular album until 'Double Fantasy' which went to number one shortly after his assassination on December 8, 1980.



In 1972, Elton John gave a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II, making him the first Rock 'n' Roller to be asked to appear in a royal variety performance since the Beatles did it in November 1963.

The Osmonds were greeted by 10,000 fans at Heathrow Airport in London in 1973. Yes, the Osmonds!

John Lennon issued his “Mind Games” album in 1973.

The animated cartoon, Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, was shown on NBC-TV in 1978. The four rock stars had to deal with a mad scientist who went crazy in an amusement park. All four members of Kiss had just released their individual solo albums.

Melbourne, Australia's Men At Work had the number one song in the US in 1982 with "Who Can It Be Now?" They would follow with three more Top 10 hits, "Down Under" (#1), "Overkill" (#3) and "It's A Mistake" (#6)

Paul Weller announced the breakup of The Jam in 1982.

Linda Ronstadt made her operatic debut in "La Boheme" in New York City, NY in 1984.

Barry Manilow's tour opened at Radio City Music Hall, New York in 1984. His series of concerts sold out to the tune of $1.9 million, besting (by $100,000) the record then held by Diana Ross.

The Beastie Boys released the LP 'License To Ill' in 1986.

Kurt Cobain smashed his very first guitar in 1988.

In 1990, Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose was released on $10,000 bail, after being arrested for allegedly hitting a neighbor over the head with a bottle. The incident happened after a complaint to the police about loud music coming from the singers house.

In 1992, George Michael filed a writ seeking to dissolve his contract with Sony Records. In June, 1994, a British judge would rule in Sony's favor, but Michael would refuse to release any more material with Sony. The old Sony contract would eventually be bought out by David Geffen who put Michael back in business.

Meat Loaf went to #1 on the US album chart in 1993 with 'Bat Out Of Hell II. Back To Hell.'

David Bowie, Tom Donahue, Gladys Knight And The Pips, Jefferson Airplane, Little Willie John, Pink Floyd, Pete Seeger, The Shirelles and The Velvet Underground are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995.

All four original members of Black Sabbath reunited momentarily in 1998 to play "Paranoid" on US TV’s David Letterman Show.

Also in 1998, David Bowie hosted a song writing contest on his web site to help complete the lyrics to his song "What's Really Happening." 20 year-old Alex Grant was the winner and was later present for the song's recording session.

Michael Jackson's album entitled "Invincible" was released in 2001.

In 2004, an arrest warrant was issued for Motley Crue singer Vince Neil after he allegedly knocked a soundman unconscious during a concert. Neil was said to have punched Michael Talbert in the face at Gilley's nightclub in Dallas after he asked the soundman for more volume on his guitar but attacked Talbert as he adjusted it, leaving him unconscious for 45 seconds.

Forbes.com reported in 2007 that Elvis Presley had regained his crown as the highest-earning dead celebrity, with an annual income of $49m during the past year. John Lennon ranked second with $44m, while Peanuts cartoon creator Charles M Schulz was third on the list, Beatle George Harrison was fourth with $22m. Nirvana's Kurt Cobain topped the list in 2006.

The Eagles' two-disc album, 'Long Road Out Of Eden' (their first complete studio album since ’79), was available on the group's website and Musictoday.com in 2007. "We worried for a while about how to fit in with what's happening on radio," says singer-drummer Don Henley. "Finally we decided we just need to be who we are." The CD was sold exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores.

'The Other Side Of The Mirror,' a DVD chronicling Bob Dylan's performances at the '63-'65 Newport Folk Festivals, wa released in 2007. It contained previously unreleased footage from the legendary Rhode Island concerts. Another Dylan related release is the soundtrack to 'I'm Not There.' Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder does his rendition of "All Along the Watchtower" backed by members of Sonic Youth, Wilco and Television. Sonic Youth take a run at the title track.

In 2008, Neil Young postponed his concert at the Forum in L.A. to show solidarity for union arena workers who are striking over a contract dispute. "I am extremely disappointed to have to choose between satisfying my fans or backing my brothers and sisters of the [union]," says Young in a statement.

As a Halloween gift to fans in 2008, Bruce Springsteen’s "A Night With The Jersey Devil" is available for free download on his official website. The sinister-sounding Blues tune was inspired by the famous mythical creature that supposedly lived in the Pine Barrens area of New Jersey. However, Springsteen cancels his annual home Halloween display over concerns the crowds could compromise the safety of neighborhood kids and their parents.