Heart of America (song)

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Heart of America is a charity single written by Tim Blixseth, Edra Blixseth and "two music-industry professionals". [1] The song became the anthem for the Today TV show's "Make a Difference" campaign to benefit the victims of 2005's Hurricane Katrina. [2] In 2005 Blixseth and Crocker appeared on the show to talk about the song. [3] According to Blixseth it was written in the middle of the night after he awoke from a dream. [3] The song was recorded by Wynonna Judd, Michael McDonald, Terry Dexter and Eric Benet. [4] It was played on NBC as part of a Habitat for Humanity campaign. [1]

In June 2006, Ebony magazine reported the song had raised $41 million with projected revenues of $100 million. [5] In August 2006 The Desert Sun reported the song had generated $127 million in revenues for hurricane-relief charities. [6] All of the revenues from the song were for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity, Music Cares and the American Red Cross.

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References

  1. 1 2 Club Med for the millionaire set, by Susan Dominus, New York Times Magazine, March 5, 2006.
  2. Ward, Leah (Oct 23, 2005) Considerable land swap in the works, Yakima Herald-Republic
  3. 1 2 Unknown author (Oct 5, 2005) The Heart of America, NBC News, accessed Jan 5, 2012
  4. Heart of America, YouTube, Accessed October 2011.
  5. Kinnon, Joy Bennett (June 1, 2006) Eric Benet's voyage for India: singer-songwriter is balancing stardom and fatherhood., Ebony, (" It is estimated that the project will raise $100 million to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. To date, $41 million has been raised")
  6. Downs, Maggie (Aug 6, 2006) Blixseth's tune raises $127 million for ongoing hurricane relief efforts, The Desert Sun, August 30, 2006.