News

Natalie Joins the Rock the Vote Campaign in Nashville

Posted on 09/10/2008 07:04

 

 

Natalie joins campaign to help build historic results this year as Rock the Vote takes its success on the road to register and mobilize young voters to the polls this November

 

‘The Road Trip ’08’ Kicks Off September 13^th in Nashville, TN with a performance from

former American Idol and recording artist Melinda Doolittle and Natalie Henderson

 

Washington, DC, September 10, 2008 -- Rock the Vote, the leading organization for youth and politics, has announced plans for a three week road trip designed to fully maximize voter registration, education, and engagement efforts in key youth markets. 

 

Already it’s a historic year for Rock the Vote.  More than 1.4 million people have registered to vote through www.rockthevote.com, making this the largest youth voter registration drive in history. In the last two weeks alone 231,371 people have downloaded voter registration forms from Rock The Vote’s website. Additionally in 2008, Rock the Vote has engaged more than 2.5 million members and over 100,000 mobile phone activists, plus innovative online programs are attracting the attention of millions more.  Now we are taking our efforts to the streets, to build our community street teams, engage new voters in person, and inspire millions to get involved.

 

The Road Trip '08 is a state-of-the-art mobile road show designed to reach out to the nation’s youth that will traverse key states delivering the hottest local and national musical talent and guest speakers from the areas of politics, sports, film and TV to spread the word.  The Road Trip '08 will visit high profile events and college campuses in these markets beginning September 13^th in Nashville, TN at Belmont University. The kick off date will feature a performance from former American Idol and recording artist Melinda Doolittle, as well as Grammy Award Winning Songwriter Gordon Kennedy ("Change the World") and Belmont alums, Natalie Henderson and Biscuits and Gravy. Additional talent for upcoming Road Trip dates will be announced in the coming weeks, and focus on community leaders to national spokespeople.

Since 2008’s election stands to be remembered as the most historically significant and hotly contested race in many years, promoting Rock the Vote’s mission to “engage and build the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country” has never been more vital.  Turnout amongst young voters has increased dramatically in the 2004 and 2006 elections and again in 2008 primary elections.  This November, the 45 million young voters are poised to turnout and make their issues and voices heard.

The Road Trip '08 tour bus has been outfitted with computer kiosks that will assist in voter registration and educate users about the election process.  These kiosks will also field requests for absentee ballots, teach users about key issues, inform users about voting poll locations and much more.  The artistic design of the bus itself was conceived by Shepard Fairey, the celebrated contemporary artist/graphic designer who emerged from the skateboard scene with his famous “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” campaign.

“The Road Trip ’08 will take our work to the streets, reaching out to young people in America’s small cities and towns bringing together musicians, politicians and celebrities with the goal of educating and registering new voters and fueling record turn out in November, said Heather Smith, Executive Director, Rock the Vote.

The dates and cities for The Road Trip '08:

Saturday, September 13 - Nashville, TN

Monday, September 15 – Blacksburg, VA

Tuesday, September 16 – Richmond, VA

Thursday, September 18 & 19 - Philadelphia, PA

Saturday, September 20 – State College, PA

Sunday, September 21 - Pittsburgh, PA

Wednesday, September 24 - Akron, OH

Thursday, September 25 - Cleveland, OH

Friday, September 26 - Kent, OH

Saturday, September 27 - Columbus, OH

Sunday, September 28 - Cincinnati, OH

Tuesday, September 30 - Bloomington, IN

Thursday, October 2 - St. Louis, MO

Saturday, October 4 – Iowa City, IA

Monday, October 6 - Minneapolis, MN

 

Natalie Joins Freedom Rally

Posted on 05/30/2008 05:51

At this year's Freedom Rally in Crestview, Florida on April 30, 2008, Natalie Henderson wowed the crowd with a superlative performance of the National Anthem and Lord's Prayer. Several hundred people gathered at Crestview First Baptist Church in the historic town of Crestview, FL to commemorate the service of our military to the various branches of the United States Armed Forces. Guest speaker David Goetsch and a host of others paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the north Florida town in a moving and often very memorable way. Colors were posted, veteran widows were recognized and a beautiful candle lighting were among the evening's highlights.

Said event organizer Dale Rice, "Boy, I surely do love to hear people can really sing! The crowd was blown away with Natalie's talent. I hope that she will come back and join us again in the future." (Dale and Jeff Childers are photographed with Natalie in the image above).

Natalie concluded, "I love singing at military events which support our troops. I will do anything and everything I can to support our military. I love coming back home to sing in the area in which I grew up. It was a very loving tribute and I was honored to be a part of it."

Just before the Freedom Rally, Natalie and her family (pictured backstage, in the photo to the right, with her brother just before the performance) dined with several members of the Crestview community.

 

 

Natalie Gives Back

Posted on 05/30/2008 04:43

On April 26, 2008, Natalie was invited to participate in the World War II Memorial Celebration Day in Springfield, TN. The event honored sixty four local men and women in the Middle Tennessee area who gave their lives in service to their country during World War II. Pictured to the left with Lieutenant General David P. Valcourt of Ft. Monroe, Virginia, Natalie wowed the crowd of 500 with her amazing rendition of the National Anthem. She was backed by the 113th Army Band of Ft. Knox and the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault Band from Ft. Campbell. Natalie was joined by other dignitaries, including the Honorable United States Congressman Bart Gordon and the Honorable Mayor Howard Bradley of Springfield. A memorial was bestowed to the community honoring the 64 names. A stirring P-51 Mustang Flyover, Twenty-One Gun Salute by the TN Army Guard, Detachment 1/Bravo Troop 1/278 Armored Calvary Regiment and poignant rendition of Taps completed the patriotic celebration for the highly memorable afternoon. A special thanks from Team Natalie to our friend, Hawk, for including us on this momentously historic celebration.

Natalie's Star Shines Brightly in Leiper's Fork

Posted on 05/30/2008 04:33

The next great Nashville star, Natalie Henderson, lit up the spring sky in Leiper's Fork as she and her band performed a stunning eight song set on March 28, 2008. The songbird, backed by a quartet of fabulous musicians and singer/songwriters, dodged the glistening springtime rain and rocked the Leipers Fork Music backporch party with some Leslie Satcher originals ("A Love Like Johnny and June" and "Playing Music With My Friends"), two new songs from Major Bob Music ("I Know How" and "Some Memory") as well with covers from musical heroes and icons Loretta Lynn ("I Know How"), Etta James ("At Last") and The Four Seasons ("Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"). A crowd favorite was a smokin' duet with fellow singer Korby Lenker, "It's Your Love," made famous by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. The event was filmed for a video which will soon make its world debut on www.nataliehenderson.com!

Spotted in the crowd were country legend family friend, Naomi Judd, as well as aspiring artist and singer/songwriter Chris Janson.

The photo taken above was the band rehearsal on March 25, 2008

 

Natalie's Smashing Return Engagement to the All Sports Banquet

Posted on 05/30/2008 03:56

Invited back due to exciting popular demand, Natalie performed a rousing rendition of the National Anthem for the second year in a row at the Ft. Walton Beach "All Sports Banquet" on February 15, 2008. An evening dedicated to the success and resilience of the local sports heroes of North Florida, Natalie joined Heisman Tropy Winner and Legendary Humanitarian Danny Wuerffel (pictured above) and Two-Time All American and Coach of the Year Steve Spurrier.

The annual event, held each February, honors the region’s top High School, Collegiate, Amateur, Professional, Special Olympic athletes and individuals who have fostered youth activities are honored.  The Wuerffel Trophy and the Col. Al Byrne Award were also presented at the banquet.  Danny Wuerffel and “The Ole Ball Coach” were together again at the All Sports Association Trophy Awards Dinner on Friday at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. The coach, Steve Spurrier, didn’t disappoint as the featured speaker poked fun at himself, shared stories of Wuerffel and preached lessons for success to a packed house.

“As far as winners, Danny is the best I’ve had,” Spurrier said. “I’m often asked who my favorite player is. I have a lot of favorite players. They’re the guys that are unselfish, are in super condition and give credit to their teammates.”

However, not even Spurrier could overshadow the annual auction which raised more than $50,000 that will go to support the Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics and the YMCA. The three organizations each received $25,000 from the association at the dinner.

The event sponsors have already booked Natalie for next February's event in 2009. Stay tuned for more information to follow!

For more coverage on this year's event, please visit: AllSportsAssociation and for more information on Danny Wuerffel and his exciting humanitarian work, please visit DesireStreet!