Educate Van Zandt Releases Fundraising CD
A CD featuring familiar and emerging Texas musicians is scheduled to be available by late February to support the work of Educate Van Zandt (EVZ) which promotes and provides adult education for area residents.
Census data shows that 28 percent of Van Zandt County residents do not have high school or equivalency degrees. People who work within the county make an average of $8.33 an hour, compared to the state average of $12.47 an hour. Lack of education and good jobs create real problems for individuals and families, for the community, and for the area’s economic growth. For individuals and families, these problems are economic and, often, tied to stresses that lead to other problems. For the community, these problems are expensive in social services, sometimes in crime, and in reduced buying power.
A thousand copies of the CD, titled Freedom Bound, will be available for $10 each through EVZ, its fundraising events, and other outlets throughout the county, with all proceeds benefiting EVZ. Stay tuned to the Van Zandt County Line next month for more specific sales locations.
The CD was compiled by Tom Geddie with permission from the artists and is copyrighted by Educate Van Zandt. It is an eclectic mix of country, folk, rock, blues, jazz, pop, and other sounds. Featured songs and artists include: “Angel & Delilah,” Eliza Gilkyson; “Birdland,” Eric Taylor; “Freedom Bound,” Becca Dalrymple; “Rain Falling Down,” Jimmy Lafave (grew up in Wills Point); “Rain,” Jay Johnson (from Tyler); “Karaoke Cowboy,” Adam Carroll (from Tyler, mentions Grand Saline in song); “Prodigal,” Tiffany Shea; “Cactus,” Susan Gibson; “Eve Takes the Fall,” Lisa Markley; “I Found the Lions,” Terri Hendrix; “Fine Line,” Macon Greyson; “Love Me Like a Song,” Kimmie Rhodes & Willie Nelson; “Great Big Oldsmobile,” The McKay Brothers; “Day by Day,” Billy Joe Shaver; “I Think About You,” Randy Hopper; “Tuscola,” Nathan Hamilton; and “Willow Tree,” Mickey Newbury.
Canton Main Street funded the CD with a $1,500 investment; sales are expected to reap $8,000 to $9,000 for EVZ. Homemade Gourmet donated graphic design services and Crossroad Recording Studio in Canton did mastering and replication.
Educate Van Zandt partners with Trinity Valley Community College, East
Texas Rural Arts Council, East Texas Workforce Commission, and others to
contribute to the quality of life in the Van Zandt County area.
For more information, call 903.963.5570 or email
educatevanzandt@yahoo.com.
