An Acoustic Evening with Sammy Kershaw and Collin Raye

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS SAMMY KERSHAW AND COLLIN RAYE TO PERFORM TOGETHER AT THE MOBILE SAENGER THEATER ON SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 AT 8 PM

About Sammy Kershaw
Since his debut on the music scene in the early 90’s, Kershaw has remained one of the most consistent power hitters in country music—both with a chain of major hit records and sell-out touring schedules.

Sammy Kershaw’s plan for country music is re-claiming its roots and recapturing the spirit that made it great. “Man, for someone like me who had George Jones’ music imprinted in my DNA before birth, the last few years have been rough as a fan of country music,” noted Kershaw candidly in a recent national interview. “Country music is not a formula… it’s a music with its own soul, and I’m all about saving that soul!” Kershaw’s current album Honkytonk Boots promises to be a much-anticipated first step in that plan of salvation.

For the newest Kershaw project, the singer’s soulful sound and Cajun vocal kick is teamed with the genius of producer Buddy Cannon—whose efforts, like Sammy’s, have lined his walls with platinum. Sammy’s vibe about his latest studio venture has all the earmarks of a proud father talking about his new arrival. “In music, everything is timing. I knew when we were in the studio working on the new album that we had something radio and fans are ready for. The feel of the album is a return to the kind of country music I, and a lot of other people, have missed.” Powerful words from a man who has picked, written, and sung a lot of hits.

Often referred to as the “heir apparent” to the legendary ‘voice’ himself—George Jones—Sammy Kershaw helped make the ‘90’s a shining decade for country music. It’s a comparison not lost on Sammy, who grew up in the Cajun country of Louisiana on a diet of crawfish and country music. The oldest of four children, the tragic loss of his father matured him even faster than the clubs and honky-tonks he was performing in at 12 years old. He speaks openly today of years spent battling substance abuse and addictions. “It’s not a period of my life I’m proud of, but I do talk about it to encourage kids not to follow in my footsteps,” Kershaw recently noted. Helping others is a subject close to the heart that beats within what might often appear to be a tough, macho exterior. Sammy Kershaw is, in fact, a softie when the subject turns to kids. If proof of that were needed, it stands in his hometown of Kaplan, Louisiana, where Sammy has established the Sammy Kershaw Foundation. Its outreach has extended through donations so far of more than two million dollars in aid to children and child-related charities. With projects that extend from granting wishes through “Make A Wish Foundation” to establishing camps for crippled children, the foundation exists to fulfill Sammy’s simple goal of improving the lives of children.

In the course of breaking into the ranks of stardom in country music, Sammy Kershaw has made contributions to more than just the charts. His platinum albums were propelled into the records books by hits such as “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” “I Can’t Reach Her Anymore,” “National Working Woman’s Holiday,” “Love Of My Life,” “Cadillac Style,” “Don’t Go Near The Water,” “Haunted Heart,” and many other milestones.

About Collin Raye
Born Floyd Elliot Wray on August 22, 1960 in De Queens, Arkansas, country artist Collin Raye was one of the true hit makers of the 1990’s. Collin still continues to crank out soulful, heartfelt material with the honesty and richness that is signature to his vocals alone. With 24 top ten records, 16 #1 hits, and having been a ten-time male vocalist of the year nominee (five CMA and five ACM), this truly electrifying performer of his era remains one of the great voices of our time.

Collin Raye is nothing if not passionate. His soulful delivery has set country standards in such searing ballads as “Love, Me,” “In This Life,” “Not That Different,” and “If I Were You.” Always an energizing showman, he has also blazed through such vivid rockers as “My Kind of Girl,” “That’s My Story,” “I Can Still Feel You,” and “I Want You Bad.”

Collin shot to fame with “Love, Me” in 1991. Listeners were so moved by this golden and pure voice that this song set the cornerstone for a career built on meaningful and emotional songs that have often been used for weddings, anniversaries, memorial services and funerals. When “Little Rock,” an anthem for those struggling with addiction recovery, hit the chart in 1994, its video led to over 100,000 phone calls to Alcoholics Anonymous from folks seeking help in their addictions. “Not That Different” was a song that pleaded for tolerance. “In This Life” became a wedding favorite, and “I Think About You” won awards for its song and video which exposed the exploitation of women and children.

Collin Raye has consistently used his stardom to advance social causes. Among the organizations he has supported are Boys Town, First Steps, Al-Anon, Special Olympics, Country Cares About AIDS, Catholic Relief Services, Parade of Pennies, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, The Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence, The Emily Harrison Foundation, Childhelp USA, Silent Witness National Initiative, Easter Seals, The Life and Hope Network, and Make a Difference Day. It came as no surprise that in 2001, at the Country Radio Seminar, Clint Black presented Collin Raye with the organization’s Humanitarian of the Year award in recognition of Collin’s issue-oriented music and his tireless charity work.

The man who has topped the charts with such great songs as “On the Verge,” “One Boy, One Girl,” “What the Heart Wants,” “Every Second,” “That Was a River,” “Anyone Else,” and “If I Were You” continues to touch hearts across the globe in both traditional and new ways. Collin Raye’s new outreach is very personal. In 2010, after the loss of his precious ten-year-old grandchild, Haley, Collin and his daughter, Britanny (Haley’s mother), established The Haley Bell Blessed Chair Foundation to honor her memory. The Foundation supports and assists families of the cognitively and physically disabled with a primary emphasis on supplying wheelchairs and other necessary medical equipment to elevate the quality of life for the disabled family member in need. Collin wrote a very special song for Haley, “She’s With Me,” which carries a powerful message for families of special needs children. Additionally, in 2011 Collin released his first inspirational album, His Love Remains, which quickly shot to #1 on Amazon for inspirational and religious music. Collin continues to perform his traditional country music across America and abroad and has added Christian and Catholic concerts to his tour schedule as well. His autobiography, A Voice Undefeated, was released in early 2014. He currently resides in Nashville, TN with his daughter, Britanny and granddaughter, Mattie.