06/18/10 - Multi Grammy Award winner Trisha Yearwood to take the stage for StarNight 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 18, 2010
Contact: Jan Hollingsworth
jan.hollingsworth@siskin.org
423.648.1730, office

Multi Grammy Award Winner Trisha Yearwood
to Take the Stage for StarNight 2010

Siskin Children’s Institute Announces Headliner Change for Annual Fundraiser

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Known for her rich vocals and chart-topping country ballads, three-time Grammy Award winner, Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and now New York Times bestselling author Trisha Yearwood will headline StarNight 2010.

Earlier this spring, Siskin Children’s Institute announced Sugar Ray as the StarNight headliner, but a family obligation involving one of the band members necessitated their canceling the appearance.

The Institute is pleased to announce Yearwood’s performance on Saturday, August 28, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Yearwood is one of the most talented stars in country music with nine number-one songs and 20 Top Ten singles to her credit, three Grammys and three Country Music Association honors. “We are thrilled that Trisha will headline this year’s fundraiser, and we appreciate her willingness to step in on short notice when Sugar Ray had to cancel,” said Jerry Jensen, president and CEO of the Institute.

StarNight, an annual fundraiser now in its 48^th year, benefits children with special needs and their families who are served by the Institute through its four centers focused on education, outreach, developmental behavioral pediatric health care and research.

With career-defining hits like "She's in Love With the Boy" from her self-titled debut album in 1991, Yearwood earned honors early in her career becoming the first female country artist in almost 20 years to reach #1 on the country charts with a debut single. That same album has been certified double platinum. Of the 10 albums that followed, all have been certified gold, and six have been certified platinum. "Songbook: A Collection of Hits" has achieved quadruple platinum status. Her three Grammy awards include a top honor: best country female vocal performance for "How Do I Live." She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1999. In addition to her musical credits, Yearwood won kudos for her recurring role on the TV series JAG from 1997-2002 and has published two New York Times bestselling cookbooks, the most recent in the spring of this year called “Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood.”

More than a half century ago, two Chattanooga businessmen, brothers Mose and Garrison Siskin, devoted their lives to helping people with disabilities. They established the Siskin Memorial Foundation in 1950, under which Siskin Children’s Institute is administered today. StarNight 2010 marks a special year for Siskin Children’s Institute as the organization recognizes, remembers and celebrates the Siskin family’s 60- year legacy.

StarNight 2010 opens with a cocktail reception, beginning at 6 p.m., and a formal dinner followed by Trisha Yearwood’s smooth, country sound. An after-party with dancing and live DJ rounds out the night.

Guests can attend the full black-tie gala, including cocktail reception, dinner, dessert, musical performance and the after-party, for $250 per person. Eight-person tables start at $2,000. The $100 per person Star Attraction option invites guests to arrive at 8:45 p.m. to enjoy Yearwood’s performance and the after-party. Tickets can be purchased online or call 423.648.1707.

ABOUT SISKIN CHILDREN’S INSTITUTE

Siskin Children's Institute makes life better for children with special needs and their families. Founded in 1950, the non-profit organization achieves its mission locally and nationally through four initiatives: education, outreach, health care and research. The Institute provides early childhood education where children with and without disabilities learn together; family support and professional development programs; developmental behavioral pediatric health care; and innovative research in early childhood development and special education. For more information about Siskin Children's Institute, visit www.siskin.org.