Singer/Songwriters unite for 2nd Annual Change the World Fundraiser

Grayton Beach, FL – (October 20, 2007) – Three well-known Nashville music artists will be the highlight of the 2nd Annual Change the World Fundraiser as they unite for a exclusive performance in hopes of making an impact on the lives of Ukrainian orphans. Greg Barnhill, along with talented singer/songwriters Jamie O’Neal and Tony Haselden, will perform an intimate Songwriters in the Round as the featured entertainment for the benefit scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 at Alys Beach at 5 p.m. The collaboration of talent will be the focal point of the evening for those purchasing the $100 tickets to the event.

Barnhill, who frequents the Florida gulf coast to concentrate on his songwriting, has gained national notoriety and the respect of fellow musicians with his talent for songwriting as seen in hits like the Grammy-nominated song “Walkaway Joe”. Because he has developed strong ties to the Northwest Florida community, Barnhill plans to visit the coast again, bringing a few Nashville friends with him in hopes of making positive changes in the lives of Ukrainian orphans.

The evening fundraiser benefits the Barnes Family Foundation – a non-profit organization set up by Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes of the famous Sister Schubert yeast roll company. Funds raised for the foundation will be earmarked to build a home in the Ukraine to help house several orphaned children.

“What an honor it is to have such talent come and donate their precious time for such a worthy fundraiser,” said Barnes. “I am thrilled to see so many people unite and rally behind this cause that is so near and dear to my heart. Greg really worked hard to make this happen for this event and I am forever grateful.”

Barnhill, a native of New Orleans, has been writing songs for several music artists since his move to Nashville in 1985. He has gained a reputation for talented writing that equates to hits for musicians. Barnhill’s first big bump into the national scene was when he wrote “Walkaway Joe” which was recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley. The song rose in the music charts quickly gaining popularity and he was nominated for a Grammy in 1993. Since then, Barnhill has composed several songs for other well-known singers as well as cutting his own albums which reveal his raw voice, diverse musical compositions and poignant lyrics. Barnhill had a huge crossover pop hit with "House of Love", written for Amy Grant and Vince Gill, and his song “She’s Taken a Shine”, written for John Berry hit number one. Barnhill was also nominated for an Emmy in 2007 for writing and producing The Today Show theme. His latest CD, No Chaser, has already earned nods from music critics.

Jamie O’Neal, a singer/songwriter since she was a young girl, gained national attention when she released her debut single, “There is No Arizona”, in 2000 and the song rose to number one in the Billboard Country Singles chart. O’Neal went on to receive the “Best New Female Artist” award from the Academy of Country Music in 2001.

Tony Haselden is no stranger to the music industry with a long history as guitarist and vocalist with Lousiana’s LeRoux, a band he co-founded in 1978. LeRoux’s biggest hits were "Take A Ride On A Riverboat" with its 4-part a capella intro, the 1978 hit song "New Orleans Ladies", the 1982 hits "Nobody Said It Was Easy" and "Addicted", and the 1983 hit "Carrie's Gone". Since moving to Nashville, TN, in the late 1980’s Haselden has written several songs that hit number one on the country music charts including, “That’s My Story” by Collin Raye, “It Ain’t Nothin” by Keith Whitley, “You Know Me Better Than That” by George Strait and “Mama Knows” by Shenandoah. In addition to his success for songwriting, Haselden has also produced The Kinleys and The Wilkinsons.

Barnhill, O’Neal and Haselden join the efforts of several businesses along 30A who united to organize and support this worthy cause. The event was the original brainstorm of Salon Twist owner Gina Shiflett, Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising founder Lisa Burwell, and Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes.

In addition to the Songwriters in the Round entertainment, a photo exhibit of Ukrainian orphans, synchronized swimming performances, a chance to bid on fabulous auction items and the opportunity to purchase a tile in the Ukrainian orphanage Garden of Friends courtyard with your name on it for $500 will all be part of the event’s schedule. Gourmet food and a selection of fine wines will be provided by FIRE Restaurant of Grayton Beach. Tickets to the event can be purchased by calling Salon Twist at 850- 231-7853.

Through her foundation, Barnes expects the 2nd Annual Change the World Fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for Ukrainian orphans needing a nurturing, home-like environment to thrive in while they await adoption. Barnes and her family-run Barnes Family Foundation hope the evening of food and entertainment will raise enough money to bring them closer to realizing their dream of opening Sasha’s Home in Gorlovka, Ukraine.

“Our vision is to have a place where these abandoned children have the opportunity to move out of hospitals and live in an enriching, loving environment,” said Barnes. “Right now the system in Ukraine channels these abandoned children to crowded state-run orphanages, where conditions are poor by Western standards. We are renovating an old building that will be a brighter, warmer facility for the children to live in while they wait for their forever families. This will be Sasha’s Home.”

Barnes, who has visited Ukraine several times, has special ties to the children of Gorlovka. During one of her visits in 2003, she became involved in helping an orphan with clubbed feet obtained the surgeries he needed for his feet. In the process, Barnes fell in love with the boy and eventually adopted him. Alex, the adopted boy, is now 5 years old and lives with Barnes and her family in Andalusia, Alabama. Because of her role in the opening of the home and her adopted Ukrainian-born son named Alexsey, Barnes billed the new home for orphans, Sasha’s Home.

Those attending the event will have the opportunity to purchase a granite tile to create the Garden of Friends in the courtyard of Sasha’s Home. The goal is for 1,000 donors to become friends by each purchasing a $500 tile to be displayed as a reminder of the many people who cared enough to help provide this loving environment for children who were once abandoned. Each tile will be engraved with the donor’s name and place of residence.

“The gift is much more than a tile in a courtyard as beautiful as that is,” said Barnes. “It is a brighter future for children who would otherwise live in an institutionalized setting, never knowing the love of a family. By purchasing a tile and giving to Sasha’s Home, you really are changing the world by changing the lives of our children.”

Those wishing to help the plight of Ukrainian orphans can mail check made out to the Barnes Family Foundation, 102 Country Club Drive, Andalusia, AL, 36421 now or donate directly online by visiting www.barnesfamilyfoundation.org. All donations are tax-deductible. The Barnes Family Foundation began working with the abandoned babies long before the fundraising campaign was officially launched. Approximately $500,000 in medical supplies and cash has already been gifted through the foundation to support the work with these children. The complete renovation of Sasha’s Home will cost an estimated $1 million.

Corporate sponsors are still needed to help make this event a successful fundraiser. Please contact Lisa Burwell with Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising at 850-231-3087 ext. 1 to learn how you can help.

About Greg Barnhill
Greg Barnhill, a native of New Orleans, is nothing short of a musically creative powerhouse. His move to Nashville in 1985 was a natural progression of his songwriting ability and his desire to grow as a musical artist. Barnhill's Grammy-nominated song, "Walkaway Joe," was recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley in 1993. Since then, Greg's songs have been embraced by many other famed recording artists including Tim McGraw, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Etta James, Lonestar, Jessica Simpson, Martina McBride, Bryan White, Ty Herndon, John Berry, Shereé Austin, Pam Tillis and Lee Ann Womack. Greg's voice has been heard on many movie soundtracks and TV shows including "Today Show," "The View," "Baywatch," "Growing Pains," "Murphy Brown," "Touched by an Angel," and "Murder She Wrote."

Other Barnhill hits include: "99.9% sure, I've Never Been Here Before" with Bryan Mccomas, "Never Been Kissed" for Sherrie Austin, “That Kind of Day" for Sarah Buxton, and “Same Ol Love” for Ricky Skagg.

Greg's newest CD, No Chaser, displays his talent as a multi-genre musician and performing songwriter. For more information, visit http://www.gregbarnhill.com.

About Jamie O’Neal
Born in Sydney, Australia, Jamie O’Neal was originally Jamie Murphy of the Murphy Family singers. Raised in a musical family, singing alongside her parents and sisters in cities across the United States, O’Neal earned a healthy portion of experience before blossoming on her own. O’Neal made her adult debut in country music with the release of her album, Shiver, in 2000. She wrote or co-wrote nine of the 13 songs on the album, which rose to number 14 on Billboard’s Top Country list. One song, “When I Think About Angels,” joined “There is No Arizona” by going to the number one spot. As a result of the album, O’Neal received the “Best New Female Artist” award from the Academy of Country Music. In 2001, O’Neal received a lucky break when she was asked to provide a remake of her song, “All By Myself” for the soundtrack of the popular movie Bridget Jones’s Diary. O’Neal continues to write her own songs because, “Songwriting is one of my loves. I like to be able to go where I want to go and have the song be challenging and have a big range. If you want to have a hand in that, you have to write it yourself.”

About Tony Haselden
Tony Haselden is a founding member of Louisiana's LeRoux, a pop band founded in "Baton Rouge, Louisiana" Baton Rouge, Louisiana that saw its heyday from 1978-1983. Their biggest hits were "Take A Ride On A Riverboat", "New Orleans Ladies", the 1982 hits "Nobody Said It Was Easy" and "Addicted", and the 1983 hit "Carrie's Gone". Their music, though pop-oriented, combined many elements such as funk, R&B, Dixieland Jazz, rock, and some Cajun-flavoring, thus defying a pigeonhole into one definable category like many other diverse Louisiana artists, common to an area known for its many musical influences and tastes. Haselden's unique and brilliant guitar style created the textures that helped define the band's sound.

Haselden is now an award-winning songwriter and producer in Nashville, having written many #1 songs for popular artists such as George Strait, Collin Raye, Shenandoah, Keith Whitley and Shania Twain. Haselden also produced The Kinleys and The Wilkinsons.

About the Barnes Family Foundation
The Barnes Family Foundation is a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of the less fortunate and enhancing our community through education, historical preservation and compassion. Since its inception in 2000, the Barnes Family Foundation has donated more than $700,000 to charities, scholarships and historical preservation. The Barnes Family Foundation is dedicated to seeing the realization of Sasha’s Home by supporting the mission and fundraising efforts. Their dream is to open Sasha’s Home in Gorlovka, Ukraine which will serve as a loving environment for abandoned children to thrive while they await adoption. To read more or to donate, please visit www.barnesfamilyfoundation.org.

About Patricia “Sister” Barnes
In 1989, Sister Schubert (dubbed "Sister" by a sibling) was baking her now famous rolls in the kitchen of her home for her small catering business and for friends and family using recipes belonging to her grandmother and other family members. That year, she donated some of her rolls to the food fair at her church. She filled 80 orders; the next year, 200; and the following year, 300. Today Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls is a multi-million dollar corporation owned by the T. Marzetti Company with Sister and her husband, George Barnes, running the business. Her rolls can be found in the freezer section of grocery stores in more than half the states in the U.S.

About Alys Beach
A stunning new resort town located on Florida's famous Scenic Highway 30A, Alys Beach is the world's most extraordinary example of New Urbanism, a method of town planning recognized by The New York Times as “the most important collective architectural movement in the past fifty years.”

Master planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ), Alys Beach's amazing architectural vision drew its inspiration from both the islands of Bermuda and the family courtyard homes of Antigua, Guatemala. Alys Beach features 1,500 feet of sugar-white beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. When the development is complete, the 158-acre resort town will be home to over 600 villas, rowhouses, flats, courtyard homes and family compound retreats.

“Alys Beach may well be the most truly innovative community under construction in the United States today," said Andrés Duany of DPZ, designers of over 300 new towns and revitalization projects around the world. “Alys Beach will eventually be imitated everywhere, I am certain.”

For sales or rental information, please call 1-877-259-5500 or visit www.alysbeach.com.