Country Music Awards Late Night Gala Draws Stars to Perform and Launch Collin Raye's Blessed Chair Foundation, in Memory of Granddaughter Haley Who Passed Away

Jamie O'Neal, John Berry among music artists who will perform with Raye after the CMAs on November 1st in downtown Nashville; new foundation will provide wheelchairs to help families of disabled children.

Contact: Kristina Hernandez, 703-373-0632, khernandez@crcpublicrelations.com

NASHVILLE, Oct. 19, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- It's been a long and painful two years since Haley Bell, granddaughter of multi-platinum country music star, Collin Raye, died at age nine from an undiagnosed neurological disorder. But "Poppi," as Haley called him, has moved back to Nashville and has turned the pain of Haley's death into a way of helping families who are unable to afford wheelchairs for their disabled children. More about the event is here: www.countrylatenight.com.

"For my daughter Britanny (Haley's mother) and I, the reality of the Blessed Chair Foundation gives us purpose beyond the pain and hurt of losing our sweet angel, Haley," says Raye, who charted 16 #1 hits, and 24 Top 10 hits through the 90's with songs like "Love Me," "In This Life," "Little Rock," and "One Boy, One Girl." In 2011, Raye's first inspirational album, His Love Remains, was released and remains the #1 reviewed Christian CD on Amazon.com.

The newly formed foundation is named from lyrics in the song "She's with Me," a song Collin Raye wrote about Haley when she was still alive. Collin sings about her "Blessed Chair" which carried Haley everywhere with the family and which greatly improved the quality of Haley's life.

According to the Survey of Income and Program Participation, there are 3.4 million wheelchair/scooter users among the U.S. non-institutional population ages 6+, which represents 1.3% of the U.S. population ages 6 and over. There are many families of special needs children who are working hard to make ends meet yet cannot afford to purchase a basic wheelchair that they need to improve the quality of life of their loved one. This foundation seeks to reach and help these families.

Country music stars Jamie O'Neal, John Berry and other country music artists are scheduled to perform with Raye after the CMA Awards on November 1st. The event will be an elegant evening of live performances, premium bar and gourmet food at The aVenue in downtown Nashville. This event will be the official launch for The Haley Bell Blessed Chair Foundation. Many other artists are expected to stop by or perform (pending official confirmations). Artists unable to attend but donating autographed guitars include Vince Gill, Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery and Joe Diffie.

The Foundation is partnering with Cradle Concepts, LLC, Collin's record label, and Custom Travel Incentives, CTI, a New York City-based marketing firm providing a trusted resource for corporate hospitality, trip incentives, promotions and special event production. A member of the Country Music Association since 2006, CTI is also the exclusive travel packager for Broadway Across America.

To purchase tickets to Country Late Night 2012 with Collin Raye, to donate a wheelchair or for more information on Collin Raye's CMA After Party, go to www.countrylatenight.com. For Interviews please call Kristina Hernandez at 703-373-0632 or email khernandez@crcpublicrelations.com.