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ACM LIFTING LIVES & VANDERBILT KENNEDY CENTER 2nd ANNUAL ACM LIFTING LIVES MUSIC CAMP JUNE 26-JULY 1, 2011 IN NASHVILLE, TN

WHAT: 2nd Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, a week-long residential program open to campers nationwide with developmental disabilities, talented in music. The Camp has a dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities and providing music enrichment through performance and education. ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the Camp, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service.

WHO:  Superstars volunteering time to participate include Gary Allan, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood and Wynonna, along with hit songwriters Odie Blackmon and Brett James, and renowned producer Mark Bright

WHEN:   Monday, June 27th:
9:30am-12noon              Songwriting workshop with Gary Allan, Odie Blackmon & Brett James
at University School of Nashville.  Campers craft a song from concept to final wording (interview opportunities with participants).

6:00pm-7:30pm             Art N’Music session with Little Big Town, at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.  Shaun Giles from the Frist helps campers create Warhol style self-portraits while using music to inspire artistic expression.

Tuesday, June 28th:
5:45pm-7:00pm             Campers karaoke onstage with music great Wynonna at Winner’s Bar. 
6:00pm Artist Arrives     Great b-roll and interview opportunities with Wynonna and representatives from VKC and ACM Lifting Lives

Friday, July 1st:
8:00pm Check In             Campers LIVE Performance with Darius Rucker at the Grand Ole Opry,
8:30pm Perf                     campers will reprise their 2011 ACM Awards hit “Music from the Heart”
and share the original song they will write at this year’s camp

MEDIA RSVP:  To inquire about covering any of the ops listed above, please email brooke@acmcountry.com.

MORE:  In 2010, ACM Lifting Lives began fully funding what was previously called the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Music Camp, with a $30,000 grant to underwrite the costs of the first-ever ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp.  The grant enables the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to continue to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service.

Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of physical and mental conditions that includes
genetic syndromes and autism spectrum disorders. They begin anytime during development up to 22 years of age and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. People with these disabilities have difficulty with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that intellectual developmental disabilities affect one in five individuals.

For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.