Joy to the World Provides Free Tickets to Hurricane Evacuees

New York, NY – September 27, 2005 -- The Joy to the World Christmas Celebration tour is donating free concert tickets and compact discs to hurricane evacuees in cities across America this Christmas. Tour producers also are asking corporations to donate items for Christmas gift baskets for evacuee families.

"Christmas could be a very hard time for hurricane evacuees who have lost everything and may also be separated from family and friends," says tour producer Christopher Redner, of Make It Timeless Inc. "We're challenging corporations to join us in providing some Christmas cheer to people who really need it. Attending Joy to the World Christmas Celebrations will lift survivors' spirits and they'll receive Christian music and other gifts which will provide comfort and encouragement for months to come."

The Joy to the World Christmas Celebration showcases some of Gospel music's finest voices, including the Kurt Carr Singers, Martha Munizzi, Rachael Lampa and Bryan Duncan performing together with special guest Heather Powers and the Joy to the World Band and Singers. This multicultural event will feature all the artists performing in a thematic presentation, rather than in typical individual artist sets.

Kurt Carr's musical ingenuity has earned him 10 Stellar Awards. His album Awesome Wonder was certified gold and is closing in on 1 million units sold. Carr's many hits include "In the Sanctuary," which has been translated into nine languages.

Martha Munizzi made history this year when she was the first woman who is not an African American to win a Stellar Award. Munizzi is an amazing vocalist and renowned worship leader. Her album The Best Is Yet To Come entered Billboard's Top Gospel Album chart at No. 2 and was a top-20 seller for more than 85 weeks. The Joy to the World Christmas Celebration will include Munizzi performing songs from her hit holiday CD, When He Came, and other favorites.

Bryan Duncan has had 16 songs at No. 1, and his Christmas Is Jesus is one of the best Christmas albums ever recorded. The Joy to the World Christmas Celebration will include Duncan and others performing songs from his Christmas classic and from his new release, A NehoSoul Christmas.

At 20, Rachael Lampa has already sold more than 650,000 albums, won a Dove Award and garnered numerous No. 1 hits. Lampa has been a featured artist on an Amy Grant Christmas tour.

These artists span generational, ethnic, stylistic and denominational boundaries through the power of song and through the contagious faith and hope that unites them. The Joy to the World Christmas Celebration offers audiences the opportunity to join them in singing praise and being reminded of God's goodness as they share inspiring Christmas songs and Scriptures.

"Christmas and Easter are times when Christians focus on what unites us – who Jesus Christ is and what his birth, death and resurrection mean to us," says Redner. "We're producing events that will appeal to Christians regardless of their age or cultural background, experiences we hope will be truly unifying."

The Joy to the World Christmas Celebration tour debuts Nov. 25 and continues through Dec. 19. The William Morris Agency is booking the tour. Make It Timeless Inc. is also producing a Joy to the World Easter Celebration tour in March and April, 2006.

"More Americans are open to attending a Christian event at Christmas and Easter than at any other time," Redner says. "Unfortunately, the meaning of the term Christian is changing in our culture. Many people think of Christians as a specific part of the political spectrum instead of as bearers of the good news of great joy for all people that angels proclaimed to shepherds when Christ was born. We hope that the Joy to the World Christmas and Easter Celebrations will be events through which Christians can show their unchurched co-workers, friends and neighbors what being Christian is really about."

The Joy to the World Easter Celebration will be a celebration of Christ's life, death and resurrection. Make It Timeless Inc. expects to announce the artist lineup for the Joy to the World Easter Celebration tour on October 10, 2005.

Corporations wishing to donate items for Christmas gift baskets can call Children In Need at 253.874.8400.

Make It Timeless Inc. is a Seattle-based company that produces tours and events, television programming and other media content. Its websites include ChristianMusic.org, InConcert.org, CCMusic.org and PositiveChristianWoman.com.

Founded in 1898, the William Morris Agency is the largest and most diversified talent and literary agency in the world, with principal offices in New York, Beverly Hills, Nashville, London, Miami Beach and Shanghai. The Agency represents clients in all segments of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music and personal appearances, Broadway theatre and theatrical touring, book publishing, commercial endorsements, sports marketing, licensing and merchandising and corporate consulting.