Several Supporters Exemplify the True Spirit of Giving Back

As we finish the follow-up on our marketing/fundraising campaign from the Nashville Marathon, I wanted to share a thread of e-mails between us and several Texas Country Music Artists.

This is an e-mail that we sent out to all of our supporters after the run:

Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:06:09 -0500
From: Drew Myers, e-Partners in Giving
Subject:  Touching Base

It’s Drew Myers...I left you a voice mail earlier this week, but I wanted to drop you a quick e-mail as well.

Bottom Line: We are going to refund your donation to Back on My Feet. I hate to say that, but I think you’ll understand....

The marathon in Nashville was a debacle. I ran 24 miles before I ended up in a medical tent and eventually the ER. (The heat, the hills, and the way I attacked the course turned into a vicious cycle.) Long story short... I didn’t finish the race. (All the gory & transparent details are on my blog: http://fireandmotion.blogspot.com/2009/04/defining-moment-what-is-real-meaning-of.html)

I WAS able to wear the concert T-shirt shirt for several miles of the race (got some good pics that I’ll be posting on the blog soon), but my integrity won’t let me accept the donation for that alone. 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Bottom Line No. 2: I just appreciate you guys believing in this crazy idea and supporting me. Maybe there will be an opportunity for another out-of-the-box idea in the future.

Do you guys have a Foundation? Just brainstorming. If we can EVER do ANYTHING for you guys, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Thanks.

Again...I apologize for not holding up my end of the bargain.

Take care and never stop giving back,

Drew

I received two wonderfully great responses from this e-mail. Texas Country Music should be proud that these individuals are ambassadors for the industry. I know that I'm proud that I carried them on my back in Nashville. 

Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:06:09 -0500

To: Drew Myers, e-Partners in Giving 
Subject: Re: Touching Base

Drew,

Rather than send us the money back, is it possible to go ahead and just give it to the charity it was destined for originally? Not completing the race is not really a factor in our desire to help out. I understand your personal feelings about the DNF, but it doesn't change the fact that we want to support the cause. I'd rather the money go ahead and be used for Back on My Feet.

I wish you luck in your efforts, and I am sorry you were not able to finish. I can't imagine being that close and having to make those decisions. But the effort, and the charity are still important, and we thank you for thinking of us.

Thanks for including us!

_________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:22:28 -0500
To: Drew Myers, e-Partners in Giving 
Subject: Re: Touching Base

Hey, Drew ... it's not a problem ... I still want to give what we sponsored ... so no matter what you feel ... please let us do this for you ... for your passion ... for your struggle ...

It is what I want to do... so, please don't deny us the opportunity to support something you believed in...

I am glad you are OK ... I am impressed by your determination ...

You know what ... the fact that you tried ... whether success or no success ... is not the point ... the point is YOU TRIED ... now that is amazing... 

We are here to support you and others like you ... going to the line ... for a passion ... results will vary, depending on the situation ...

But no one can judge ... an honest attempt at integrity ... no one should try to judge that ...

You did something special ...

All for now... 

WOW! So wonderfully great!

One member of the e-Partners in Giving Family said: "Wow! What an awesome lady. Can I put her on my speed dial for a pep talk on those bad days we all have?" 

One last thank you to all the Texas Country Music artists who agreed to support us in the marathon, but a HUGE thank you to these individuals. Their willingness to give back should be applauded and admired.

NEVER STOP GIVING BACK!

NASHVILLE MARATHON IN PHOTOS

NOTE: Here are some photos from the 10th Annual Country Music Marathon in Nashville. (Click here to read the complete blog post – including all the gory and transparent details.)

PRE-RACE:

One of the first Twitter messages sent out that morning.

To read the entire thread of posts, click here.

PRE-RACE:

Back on My Feet getting a little "T-shirt Love," 

while I complete my pre-race preparation. 

(Putting a little Tiger Balm on the calves)

PRE-RACE:

One last wave of hydration before I head to my corral –

proudly representing Darren Kozelsky to start the race.

PRE-RACE:

Acting out one last time and giving props to DK 

for being the first artist to support our run.

THE STARTING LINE:

31,000 people ran the marathon or half marathon.

MILE 5:

Acting out in a crowd of runners;

wore Darren Kozelsky shirt until this point of the run.

MILE 8:

Red Dirt Photos sponsored Mile 5 to 8; 

still feeling good enough to act out a little.

 

MILE 18:

Since our PR Team missed me at Mile 13,

The Casey Donahew Band received a little extra love in the marathon.

(I "wore" their T-Shirt from Mile 8 to Mile 18)

From Mile 17 to 18, the shirt was so soaked, I had to carry it.

MILE 18: 

Changed into a dry Johnny Cooper T-shirt. 

If you look close, you can start to see the defeat in my eyes.

At this point of the race, I actually said, "I'm in trouble."

MILE 18:

Johnny's funky kick-butt T-shirt 

getting a little more love as I head back onto the course.

MILE 21:

Great shot of me struggling up the hill 

with Nashville in the background.

Changed into Josh Abbott T-shirt just after this photo.

(last photo taken on the course)

HOSPITAL:

(no caption necessary)

HOSPITAL:

Trying to keep a positive attitude as two bags of fluid 

are being pumped into my body.

Josh Abbott didn't get any "T-shirt Love" at the finish line,

but plenty in the emergency room.

HOSPITAL:

This wave of acting out is borderline fake, 

because five minutes later the tears were flowing.

Click here to read entire blog post.

TWEET! TWEET! Marathon Documented Through Social Media

NOTE: These are the Twitter messages sent out by me and my PR Team during the 2009 Country Music Marathon in Nashville. (Photos to come.)

PRE-RACE I: Race morning in Nashville. I’m staring down the barrel of 26.2 miles; My goal is 4 hrs – follow throughout on Twitter #twunning

PRE-RACE II: PR Team posting Tweets from start to finish – raising awareness for BOMF & TX Country Music http://twurl.nl/w2q5tb #twunning

PRE-RACE III: Weather is borderline perfect - can tell it's going to heat up, though. Nothing a TX boy can't handle - hopefully #twunning

PRE-RACE IV: Second time posting during a race – 1st experiment in Cowtown ½ Marathon...read about here: http://twurl.nl/mogrz1 #twunning

PRE-RACE V: 5 minutes to start of race...butterflies are definitely flying. Wearing Darren Kozelsky (@dkozelsky) concert T-shirt.. #twunning

PRE-RACE V: Darren Kozelsky – '08 Breakthrough Artist of Year Nominee – was the first artist to support our cause. Thnx, Darren! #twunning

START: Wave start – running with 3:45 pace group & going to try & run negative splits at mile 21 – thanks to EVERYONE for support #twunning

MILE 1: This whole marketing/fund-raising endeavor created to raise funds & awareness for Back on My Feet http://twurl.nl/e8sdvj #twunning

MILE 2: Darren Kozelsky (@dkozelsky) being represented through the streets of Nashville! #twunning

MILE 3: Back on My Feet attacks homeless through running. It has grasp on my heartstrings & refuses to let go. #twunning

MILE 4: Want to support our efforts with a donation? Visit my e-Partners in Giving Donation Page: http://twurl.nl/8dn2n2 #twunning

MILE 5: Swapping T-shirts...showing a little love to Red Dirt Photos ( http://twurl.nl/ge2hhs ) #twunning

MILE 5: Very hilly and congested and losing pace but feeling great!

MILE 6: Fan of TX Country Music? You must check out Red Dirt Photos http://twurl.nl/ge2hhs; Todd Purifoy (@tpurifoy) is GREAT! #twunning

MILE 7: Reminder...my PR Team is helping send out these Tweets. I didn't think I could actually post AND break 4-hour mark. #twunning

MILE 8: Changing T-shirts ...Casey Donahew Band – perfect shirt for this campaign "Texas True" on the front & TX flag on back #twunning

MILE 8: Still very congested. Best song so far: “Free Falling“ by Tom Petty. #twunning

MILE 9: Thnx to Casey Donahew – one of the coolest artist in TX Country Music! Check out his web site http://twurl.nl/b55oq3 #twunning

MILE 10: Shout out to other TX Country Music artists on Twitter – @JackIngramMusic @recklesskelly @WadeBowen @BleuEdmondson #twunning

MILE 11: Casey Donahew still getting love from his T-shirt in Nashville. His MySpace page: http://twurl.nl/725n6g #twunning

MILE 12: Preparing to pass out Casey Donahew & Johnny Cooper CDs & such – couple of T-shirts, koozies, etc. #twunning

MILE 13: I'm now wearing Johnny Cooper T-shirt at halfway point of marathon. Johnny's web site: http://twurl.nl/omuvk2 #twunning

Mile 14: Johnny Cooper (@johnnyrcooper) is blowing up – touring, launching new web site, & still turning TX Country on its head #twunning

MILE 15: Special shout out to 95.9 The Ranch – If you like TX Country Music you've got to listen online at http://twurl.nl/vy303e #twunning

MILE 16: To see original proposal for this out-of-the-box endeavor, visit http://twurl.nl/2pqumo #twunning

MILE 17: We're still accepting donations for Back on My Feet; support this incredible cause by visiting http://twurl.nl/vsicd0 #twunning

MILE 18: On pace to break 4-hour mark – will be able to mark No. 41 off of my 101 List http://twurl.nl/0q80sv #twunning

MILE 19: Can't get under 4 hours-too hot and hilly. Just have to finish! #twunning

MILE 19: More shout outs to Red Dirt artists on Twitter @jasoneady @KevinFowler @MikeEYB (Eli Young Band) @Lantanamusic @bocox #twunning

MILE 20: A HUGE thank you to all the individuals who supported our efforts & made a donation to Back on My Feet #twunning

MILE 21: Josh Abbott Band is now on my back & I will carry him to the finish line. Visit his web site: http://twurl.nl/jajr4e #twunning

MILE 21: Even my face is cramping!! #twunning

MILE 22: A special thanks to Josh Abbott (one of my TX Country favorites) – I love that I'm carrying his name & music to Nashville #twunning

MILE 23: Few of our individual donors on Twitter – YOU GUYS ROCK! @LFarnsworth @DianneSanLuis @theromanceceo @katiegiangreco #twunning

MILE 24: Have ran two marathons before (both in Fort Worth) best time to date: 4 hours & 3 minutes – cramped both times #twunning

MILE 25: Home stretch – thanks to everyone who supported this crazy idea – I admire & applaud your willingness to give back #twunning

MILE 26: .2 miles to go – DON'T EVER FORGET ABOUT THOSE .2 MILES....#twunning

MARATHON: Mile 25 & 26 posts were premature - had to go to medical tent @ mile 24; currently in ER - congrats to me for big DNF

MARATHON: Still in ER, feeling fine - apologies to Josh Abbott band - didn't get love @ finish line, just in hospital #twunning

MARATHON: Leaving hospital - just sore & tired. Thnx for everyone's support.. Please pray for family of runner who died today #twunning

MARATHON: Very tired. Very sore. Very disheartened. Will spend tomorrow's flight home writing a blog post what "DNF" really means #twunning

Josh Abbott Band Personally Justifies This Wild & Crazy Fundraising Effort

I don't want to seem like a Texas Country Music "homer." I really like it, but I don't want anyone to think that I love EVERY SINGLE artist on the Red Dirt scene.

There are some artists that I don't prefer.

There are some that are OK.

There are some Texas Country musicians that I like and some I like a whole lot.

But there are a handful that I DO absolutely love. 

(I know...HOMER!)

Josh Abbott Band is one of those artists that I love. 

So when I got the notification from his management team that Josh would support our trip to Nashville...it turned into a "Good Night for Dancing."

This kick-butt band has personally justified this whole marketing/publicity/fundraising experiment. 

Josh Abbott has been in the Top 10 on the Texas Country Music charts for the last five weeks with "Good Night for Dancing." This beautiful ballad, performed with Charla Corn, is currently sitting at No. 8.

His song "Taste" is one of the sexiest country music songs....EVER! (Oh, trust me ... I know ... I'm proudly wearing my homer badge now.)

Needless to say, I'm excited as hell that Josh and his band mates are supporting Back on My Feet through my marathon this weekend. Special thanks to Bruce Kalmick at Ambiance Artists for making this happen.

LINKS:

• Josh Abbott Band web site

• Josh Abbott MySpace page

• Back on My Feet web site

• e-Partners in Giving web site

Casey Donahew Band Provides 'Splash as Big as Nashville'

This crazy idea is starting to get legs, and I can't put my excitement into words.

The Casey Donahew Band has agreed to support my run in the Nashville Marathon this weekend. When I got the e-mail from his management team, I was speechless.

I just kept saying, "This is one of the coolest guys in Texas Country Music!" I was trying to explain them to my wife ..."Honey, I would love to drink a cold Shiner Bock with these guys."

In his song Hunter S. Thompson (Rocket Ship) ... he fittingly says that he's going to "make a splash as big as Nashville, Tennessee."

LET'S GO!

Casey and his band are a tremendous compliment to an already impressive lineup of supporters, that includes Darren Kozelsky and Johnny Cooper. (I would definitely go to that concert.)

Red Dirt Photos is the icing on the cake. (Thanks, Todd.)

We now have seven miles of the marathon (26.2 miles) sponsored, that's $700 going straight to Back on My Feet. 

SO AWESOME!

Obviously we're still well below our goal of $2,600, but they don't fire that starters gun until 7 a.m. Saturday morning. I'm remaining optimistic that more artists will believe in what we're doing and jump on board.

If they don't...I'll be proud to carry these guys to Nashville and let them be the spokesmen for Texas Country Music.

LINKS: 

• Casey Donahew Band web site

• Casey Donahew Band MySpace page

Johnny Cooper Jumps on Train Headed to Nashville Tennessee

One of the youngest guns in Texas Country Music arsenal has agreed to support our efforts in the Country Music Marathon (April 25th in Nashville).

Johnny Cooper, who took the stage at age 15 and was in the studio at 17, has already started to turn the Red Dirt Music scene on its head with his amazing talent as a singer songwriter.

I'm extremely proud to have him as part of this crazy adventure to Nashville. His song "Texas to You" would be a perfect anthem to this wild and crazy endeavor.

Never heard of Johnny Cooper? Go ahead and clear your calendar for May 6th and get your butt to downtown Fort Worth.  He is playing at 8.0 as part of 95.9 The Ranch Summer Music Series. (Johnny's complete concert calendar here)

On his web site it says: "Johnny is well on his way and having a blast."

I hate to call him a kid – because it makes me feel like an old man – but this kid's talent will smack you in the face AND make you come back for seconds because you liked it so much.

Welcome to the team, Mr. Cooper.

OTHER LINKS:

• Johnny Cooper's web site

• Interview in Texas Country Music Times

Off & Running: Kozelsky, Red Dirt Photos on board

I'm a firm believer in momentum.

We'll we've officially got some.

This wild and crazy publicity/marketing campaign got a jump start when The Darren Kozelsky Band and Red Dirt Photos agreed to be the first two supporters for my journey to the Country Music Marathon in Nashville.

More importantly, they agreed to support Back on My Feet – which is the primary purpose of this endeavor. 

Since I'm a firm believer in multi-expressions of appreciation – this is my first of many thank you notes to Darren, his entire band and management team, and Todd Purifoy of Red Dirt Photos.

If this thing takes off – I have each of these guys to thank for generating this momentum heading into race week.

LINKS:

• Darren Kozelsky's music 

(make sure you "Launch the Jukebox" for this Breakthrough Artist of the Year nominee)

• Darren's MySpace Page

• Todd Purifoy's complete photo gallery

• Official proposal on e-Partners in Giving web site