Local Cork musicians, a Nashville country singer, and some of Ireland’s top Country Music stars have come together to raise much-needed funds for Down Syndrome Cork. The classic Garth Brooks hit, Callin’ Baton Rouge, has been given the Covid-19 lockdown treatment in a bid to help support its 400 member families across Cork city and county.
In January of this year, two life-long music lovers and part-time musicians from Youghal, Richie Foley and Karl Prendergast, took the trip of a lifetime to Nashville, Tennessee with some friends.
While there they met with many talented musicians and singers and stayed in touch with some on their return to Ireland.
In mid-March the world as we knew it was changed forever by Covid-19, and the people of Ireland were asked to isolate and stay indoors where possible.
This meant an immediate cessation of all fundraising activities for countless charities across the country, including Down Syndrome Cork, who had no choice but to stop all essential one-to-one supports for its members and their families.
Live music was one of the first industries affected by the lockdown, and many musicians found themselves at home with no work.
It was during this time that Karl and Richie decided to put together a track with a small number of the great musicians along with some of their new friends in Nashville.
“We are so thankful to everyone who gave their amazing talents to this track to help raise some money for this wonderful cause,” said the musical duo.
“We are appealing to everyone to donate as little or as much as they can on www.idonate.ie/DSCork2020, it will all help greatly.”
With lead vocals from Irish Country stars Johnny Brady and Mike Denver along with East Cork native Caroline Fraher and Nashville’s own up-and-coming star KC Johns, together with the superb talents of musicians and singers up and down this wonderful country, they have succeeded in creating a track that is worthy of any stadium across the world.
In true lockdown style they created a video to go along with the track to promote it as this month being Down Syndrome Awareness Month they wanted to include some great singers, dancers and musicians from the Down Syndrome community.
