On the eve of the evangelist’s 70th anniversary as an ordained minister, “Thank You Billy Graham,” a multi-artist musical tribute DVD-CD, will be released on Tues., May 20.

Included in the 52-minute DVD, which is accompanied by a bonus CD of the same name, is an all-star music video and numerous bonus offerings, among them separate featurettes on “The Making Of...,” “The Inspiration,” “Testimonials” from recording artists and special guests, and the “Andrae Crouch Recording Session with the Christ Memorial Church Choir.”

“This is an incredibly unique DVD offering as it crosses so many cultural, generational and spiritual boundaries,” says Mitch Perliss, whose MagicPlay Entertainment will distribute the title worldwide. “We’re excited and privileged to be able to bring this to the marketplace and look forward to it being the first of many evergreen titles in our partnership with Pat, Lamb & Lion Home Video, and Pat Boone’s Gold Label.” Distribution to Christian retailers and general market gift retailers is via New Day Christian Distributors.

Penned by motion picture actor and recording artist Pat Boone, rock artist and Grammy® winning producer-writer David Pack from the critically acclaimed band Ambrosia, and Grammy® winning country singer-songwriter Billy Dean, the heartfelt song and accompanying music video feature a musical send up by over two dozen top musical talents from every musical genre, along with an array of rare historical footage courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association archives.

Says David Pack, the tribute’s producer and co-writer, “This is a once in a lifetime celebration for a humble giant who has devoted his life to serving God and humanity.”

Along with Bono and Strait, other featured artists include country stars Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers, Billy Dean, and Marty Stuart; pop and rock artists Michael McDonald, LeAnn Rimes, John Elefante (Kansas), and John Ford Coley; R&B/Gospel artists Jeffrey Osborne, Andrae Crouch, and Vestal Goodman; and Contemporary Christian artists tobyMac, Kevin Max and Michael Tait (dc Talk), Mark Kibble (Take 6), and Lisa Bevill among others. In a special appearance, CNN’s Larry King narrates the song’s third verse.

Since he was ordained in 1939, Graham has preached to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries, and led hundreds of thousands of individuals to make personal decisions to live for Christ, which is the main thrust of his ministry.

Over 100,000 ministers have trained under his spiritual tutelage, and Graham has been preaching at White House services since FDR was president.

His stadium sermons are legendary and only ended recently due to the world-famous preacher’s frail health. Graham’s wife, Ruth Bell Graham, died in June, 2007 following a lengthy illness.

“He would not want to hear it, he’s such a humble man,” says Boone. “But around the world, we need to say it: Thank you, Billy Graham.”

A portion of the proceeds from the “Thank You Billy Graham” project will be donated to Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse and Mercy Corps, two charities that support humanitarian relief throughout the world.

“Thank You Billy Graham” is produced by David Pack; Pat Boone is Executive Producer.

Worldwide and North American distribution of “Thank You Billy Graham” through all traditional and online retailers is via Magic Play Entertainment (www.magicplay-ent.com); Distribution to Christian market retailers and general market gift retailers is via New Day Christian Distributors (www.newdaychristian.com).

 

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