Strike A Chord for MHA: Brice Beaird’s CD Now Appearing premiered in a concert with Beatlegras raising over $20,000 to benefit Mental Health America’s Operation Healthy Reunions
Brice Beaird’s new CD Now Appearing was released at a concert at Lakewood Theatre recently, which also featured the fabulous band Beatlegras. All of the evening’s proceeds benefitted Mental Health America’s Operation Healthy Reunions, raising just over $20,000.
Beatlegras took the stage for the first set and the audience was rockin’ to the band’s unique sound with their renditions of “Get Back,” “Lady Madonna” and more. Beaird brought his band on for the second set and was welcomed with a standing ovation as everyone sang “Happy Birthday.”
“There are two very special songs on Now Appearing,” Brice said. “The song, ‘When Will It End,’ was written to help create awareness of a program called Operation Healthy Reunions. Developed by Mental Health America, OHR offers assistance in getting for our returning veterans who might be suffering mental issues after returning from the war. I lost my sister to mental illness and I pledged to learn more about the disease and do something in her memory. I joined the board of MHA and have been a member for nine years, serving as chairman for two years.”
“We’re honored that Brice chose Mental Health America as the beneficiary for this CD release,” said Mike Gelhausen, president, MHA. “He has served as an inspiration for others to become involved and has brought awareness into the community about this very special program, Operation Healthy Reunions.”
Beaird continued, “ ‘The Old Rock Church’ is another cause related song I wrote in memory of Elizabeth Toon. At twenty-two, she was tragically run over and killed in Los Angeles four years ago. Her father, Larry Toon, established the Elizabeth Toon Foundation in her memory. This foundation supports several great causes, including Camp John Marc and The Old Rock Church outside Cranfills Gap, Texas. Elizabeth visited this beautiful church with her dad and proclaimed to him that she wanted to get married there. Today, she is buried there in the cemetery next to the church. Two years ago, I was asked to play a benefit concert at Poor David's Pub along with friends Tom Douglas (Nashville songwriter) and Tom Faulkner (long time friend). Knowing this was to raise money and awareness of the Foundation and the Old Rock Church, I visited the church and while there wrote a song about it, and Elizabeth. At the CD release concert, I played it with Beatlegras joining in on harmonies, to a crowd of about 450, who all stood and joined me in singing “Amazing Grace” at the end of the song. It was a sweet moment, much like at this concert - a tremendous night, ending in a standing ovation. We made a lot of money, created a lot of awareness and saw a lot of smiles. I couldn't have asked for more!”
The Old Rock Church is now being considered for a documentary piece produced by Dallas based London Broadcasting in a series they are developing called Bronco Roads. Brice’s song, “The Old Rock Church,” will be featured in this film. (Elizabeth Toon was a Highland Park High School graduate. Her parents still reside in the Park Cities.)
A well-known local singer whose voice is smooth as silk with a James Taylor-esque edge, Beaird and the Big Sound Band (all of whom performed on the CD: Milo Deering, Jamey Perrenot, Roland Elbert, Carlyle McCoullough, Bob Gentry and John Landefeld) also recently performed at Poor David’s Pub. He has also appeared at Border’s Books and Opening Bell Coffee on Lamar.
The new CD features 11 other new original songs, including the very thoughtful, “He's My Son,” to the funny and whimsical, “I've Got No Friends in My Space.” NOW APPEARING is available for purchase, as well as individual songs from the CD, on iTunes or you can visit his website at http://www.bricebeaird.com to purchase the CD and it will be mailed to you.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Clear Channel and Park Cities News/The Waters Family.
Brice Beaird’s new CD Now Appearing was released at a concert at Lakewood Theatre recently, which also featured the fabulous band Beatlegras. All of the evening’s proceeds benefitted Mental Health America’s Operation Healthy Reunions, raising just over $20,000.
Beatlegras took the stage for the first set and the audience was rockin’ to the band’s unique sound with their renditions of “Get Back,” “Lady Madonna” and more. Beaird brought his band on for the second set and was welcomed with a standing ovation as everyone sang “Happy Birthday.”
“There are two very special songs on Now Appearing,” Brice said. “The song, ‘When Will It End,’ was written to help create awareness of a program called Operation Healthy Reunions. Developed by Mental Health America, OHR offers assistance in getting for our returning veterans who might be suffering mental issues after returning from the war. I lost my sister to mental illness and I pledged to learn more about the disease and do something in her memory. I joined the board of MHA and have been a member for nine years, serving as chairman for two years.”
“We’re honored that Brice chose Mental Health America as the beneficiary for this CD release,” said Mike Gelhausen, president, MHA. “He has served as an inspiration for others to become involved and has brought awareness into the community about this very special program, Operation Healthy Reunions.”
Beaird continued, “ ‘The Old Rock Church’ is another cause related song I wrote in memory of Elizabeth Toon. At twenty-two, she was tragically run over and killed in Los Angeles four years ago. Her father, Larry Toon, established the Elizabeth Toon Foundation in her memory. This foundation supports several great causes, including Camp John Marc and The Old Rock Church outside Cranfills Gap, Texas. Elizabeth visited this beautiful church with her dad and proclaimed to him that she wanted to get married there. Today, she is buried there in the cemetery next to the church. Two years ago, I was asked to play a benefit concert at Poor David's Pub along with friends Tom Douglas (Nashville songwriter) and Tom Faulkner (long time friend). Knowing this was to raise money and awareness of the Foundation and the Old Rock Church, I visited the church and while there wrote a song about it, and Elizabeth. At the CD release concert, I played it with Beatlegras joining in on harmonies, to a crowd of about 450, who all stood and joined me in singing “Amazing Grace” at the end of the song. It was a sweet moment, much like at this concert - a tremendous night, ending in a standing ovation. We made a lot of money, created a lot of awareness and saw a lot of smiles. I couldn't have asked for more!”
The Old Rock Church is now being considered for a documentary piece produced by Dallas based London Broadcasting in a series they are developing called Bronco Roads. Brice’s song, “The Old Rock Church,” will be featured in this film. (Elizabeth Toon was a Highland Park High School graduate. Her parents still reside in the Park Cities.)
A well-known local singer whose voice is smooth as silk with a James Taylor-esque edge, Beaird and the Big Sound Band (all of whom performed on the CD: Milo Deering, Jamey Perrenot, Roland Elbert, Carlyle McCoullough, Bob Gentry and John Landefeld) also recently performed at Poor David’s Pub. He has also appeared at Border’s Books and Opening Bell Coffee on Lamar.
The new CD features 11 other new original songs, including the very thoughtful, “He's My Son,” to the funny and whimsical, “I've Got No Friends in My Space.” NOW APPEARING is available for purchase, as well as individual songs from the CD, on iTunes or you can visit his website at http://www.bricebeaird.com to purchase the CD and it will be mailed to you.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Clear Channel and Park Cities News/The Waters Family.
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