Benefit CD Helps End Homelessness in Orange County, CA

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Even if you don't look a homeless person in the eye, he'll be grateful for some change. But contributing to a hungry man's next meal and acknowledging him as another human being is what the homeless really need. And a chance to rebuild their lives.

Shelter Me is a one-of-a-kind compilation of songs written and recorded by professional Southern California musicians, some of whom are homeless themselves. It's a remarkable anthology of music, infused with hope and enlightened by musicians living on the streets.

Conceived by producer Scott Hays of WeedPatch Productions, many well-known musicians contributed their time and talent for no other reason than compassion and desire to make a difference. All proceeds from the CD are funneled directly to Friendship Shelter, a refuge for the homeless in Laguna Beach and San Clemente, that has helped more than 5,000 people during its 20-year operation.

"Beyond CD sales, there's the issue of raising awareness," says Hays. "Dozens of people contributed in some significant way to the production of this project. All of these individuals have donated their time and resources for a common cause: help the homeless."

Shelter Me is much more than just a leg up for the homeless. The fact that homeless musicians contributed to the creation of this CD confronts the misnomer that these people are drug addicts or delusional. It's a testament that these are our neighbors, coworkers, and friends, some of whom went from secure positions in life to homelessness virtually overnight.

"Many of the songwriters and musicians who participated on this project had stories to share about how they were once homeless, or close to it," says Hays. "There are a lot of us who have gone through periods where we were one paycheck away from living out of our cars. Some are just less fortunate than others."

Thirteen professionally produced songs -- with roots in rock, blues, folk and country music -- reflect the hope and longings of the roughly 35,000 people who lived on the streets of Orange County last year, and the nearly 3.5 million homeless throughout the country. The compilation brought together dozens of talented songwriters and musicians who all donated their time and music: Shayne Fair, who co-produced Bill Medley's recent CD; Dave Nachmanoff, who has been touring with Al Stewart; Shawn Jones, who last year performed for troops in Iraq; Independent musicians Alec Bridges, Kevin Danzig, Mick Overman; and many others.

   CONTACT:
   Scott Hays, Founder
   WeedPatch Recordings
   949.306-3290
   Shays123@aol.com
   http://www.scotthays.com/
   http://www.weedpatchrecordings.com/

   Randy Kraft, Director of Development
   Friendship Shelter
   949.494-6928
   rkraft@friendshipshelter.org
   http://www.friendshipshelter.org/

CONTACT: Scott Hays, Founder of WeedPatch Recordings, +1-949-306-3290, Shays123@aol.com; or Randy Kraft, Director of Development of Friendship Shelter, +1-949-494-6928, rkraft@friendshipshelter.org

Web site: http://www.weedpatchrecordings.com/ http://www.scotthays.com/ http://www.friendshipshelter.org/

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