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MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund Efforts
Nashville event to raise funds for flood relief
May 6, 2010 - 4:11pm
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Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage.com
Darius Rucker
The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter's 12th Annual GRAMMY Block Party and Membership Celebration will take place on May 11 at Owen Bradley Park in Nashville, Tenn., providing Academy members with an opportunity to come together and celebrate music through a variety of live performances.

In light of the recent floods that have severely affected the Nashville area, this year's event will serve as a fundraiser for the newly established MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund, helping local musicians in need. Artists scheduled to perform at the event are bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent, contemporary Christian artist Plumb, GRAMMY-winning country artist Darius Rucker, country music duo Steel Magnolia, and funk band Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow and Recording Academy Chair George J. Flanigen IV also will be in attendance.

MusiCares' emergency assistance efforts have already begun, and 100 percent of every dollar raised will be immediately distributed to help those in the music community that are victims of the flood. Donations to MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief may be made at the MusiCares table at the GRAMMY Block Party or online here.

MusiCares' initial assistance will provide funds for food and clothing, gasoline and transportation, clean-up efforts, relocation costs, medicine, and other critical supplies. To apply for assistance, please contact MusiCares' South Regional office at 615.327.0050 or toll-free at 877.626.2748.

"Sometimes you take a detour. It doesn't matter where or when. You don't know where you might end up when you're coming from where you've been.

Sometimes you take a detour on the way to where you go, wondering which way you're gonna turn when you get to the end of the road. Life takes a detour."

These are lyrics from my song 'Detour' on my new album Indiana Rain.

As one of the authors in the inspirational book, Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths, I tell the story of a young mother's promise and a daughter's devotion.

We all have our ups and downs in life.  How we choose to deal with them determines the outcome.

When Life Takes a Detour: Discovering the Road to Your Destination is my way of sharing my own experiences and the lessons learned on my journey.

My stories are revealed through my songs, my artwork, my books and my performances.

Here is a powerful example of what can happen when life takes a detour and a simple solution we can all apply to our daily lives.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since Danny Gans left us. The first time I saw his show was at the Rio Hotel and Casino. Since that first night I saw him perform several times through the years; bringing friends and family.

Many of us watched as Danny Gans built an amazing career for himself in Las Vegas. When Steve Wynn built a large theater in the Mirage, his audiences just kept growing.

People from around the world discovered a treasure when they watched Danny Gans on stage, transforming himself in a matter of seconds from one performer to another with just a change of a hat, a wig or a scarf, a cigarette or a glove, a song or a smile.

It was a shock when I heard the news on the radio that morning. I couldn’t believe it. No one could.

When I think of Danny Gans it brings a smile to my face. He made us laugh, he made us cry. As he took us on a journey down memory lane, he gave us laughter and food for thought.

He was also an example for those who ever had a dream crushed for one reason or another.

When life threw him a curve ball and his baseball career ended suddenly, Danny Gans embraced his ability to make people laugh by impersonating the entertainers he grew up watching on TV.

In his show, for a brief moment, his audiences were transported to another place and time as Danny Gans paid tribute to others in the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Danny Ganz was an incredible showman. I saw him often at charity events and parties, where he was always gracious and accessible to his fans. Danny Gans was a true entertainer.

Sandy Kastel, Author Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths ‘Detours’

Danny Gans
October 25, 1956 – May 1, 2009

A long time headliner in Las Vegas, Danny Gans was known as “The Man of Many Voices.”   Before he went into entertainment, Gans played baseball for the Durham Bulls, but an injury derailed his sports career so he set his sights on Broadway where he perfected his one man show.  In 1996, he moved to Las Vegas, starting at the Stratosphere.  He eventually moved his show to the Rio, the Mirage, the Encore, and most recently, the Encore.  The sign advertising his show is reportedly the largest free-standing marquee in the world.  In 1992, Gans portrayed Dean Martin in the CBS miniseries, Sinatra.  Danny Gans died unexpectedly at the age of 52.  Reports indicate that Gans died of an accidental reaction to prescribed medications he was taking.

Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
The Strength of Women-Book

We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.

This empowering collection of stories reminds us that we all have choices, and the choices we make are what determine the course of our lives. The authors of these stories are real people who have reached into the depths of their souls to share their inspiring journeys when navigating the difficult paths of their lives. These extraordinary people have persevered against the odds and made choices that enabled them to achieve successful lives. Through their experiences, we can find many important lessons to help us avoid wrong turns and blind alleys. Their stories show us that we can overcome our challenges and live more satisfying, passion filled lives.

"We live. We love. We explore. Our hearts are broken only to be mended again. We are devastated by life's tragedies and yet we survive."

Sandy Kastel, Author Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths 'Detours'


MORE ABOUT THE BOOK:
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors

If you feel “stuck” in a situation that appears to be beyond your control, these stories will show you how others have coped with crisis and uncertainty, made tough choices and positive changes in order to find deeper meaning and satisfaction in their relationships and learned to live with purpose every day. Rarely do we find a book that addresses so many different challenges. Life Choices does this in a powerful and inspiring way. This book is about experiences, the people who lived them, and how they created successful lives. From values and self-fulfillment to legacy, this book offers new resources for people who have tough choices to make every day.

Filled with wisdom and love, this book is a soothing companion for anyone searching for the courage to make a choice to change his or her circumstances. These authors and their stories prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that success belongs to everyone, no matter where they come from or what has happened to them. They are living proof that miracles can and do happen. You can be one of these people. You can navigate through difficult times and find your pathway to the life you choose to lead. Put the strength of others to work for you. Courage is not the absence of fear or pain. Courage is taking the steps to move through it.