Marking the 20th Anniversary of the “In the Heat of the Night” Christmas CD, fans from around the country donated to receive a special anniversary edition of the project that included the cast of the series singing their favorite Christmas songs.
Originally produced by show stars Alan Autry, “Bubba Skinner,” and Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode,” under Autry-Franks Productions, it was made available through the Share America Foundation, Inc. in association with original partner Sonlite Records.
“We were honored that folks still wanted to celebrate the Christmas season with us,” Mr. Franks said. “The monies raised will encourage youth to make positive decisions in their lives through the work of the Catoosa Prevention Initiative.”
Share America donated $600 towards the Teen Maze 2013, which brings an intensive experience to tenth graders including learning about the consequences of choosing to use drugs and alcohol.
“We greatly appreciate the support of the community for this joint effort to reduce the impact that alcohol and drugs have upon our youth and in our community as a whole,” said Candy Hullender, project coordinator. “This year our Teen Maze will be serving sophomore students in Walker and Catoosa counties the first week of October and more info will be coming later this year. It is our hope through the commitment of community members through donations and volunteering that this will become an annual event.”
For more information, call 706.935-5018.
The CD was originally released in association with Sonlite Records, Crimson Records and MGM Worldwide Television Group.
Mr. Autry and Mr. Franks joined other cast members including the late Carroll O'Connor, the late Howard Rollins, Anne-Marie Johnson, Hart, Geoffrey Thorne, and Crystal Fox to perform. Other cast members including Wilbur Fitzgerald, Bob Penny and Sharon Pratt joined in on group performances of "Jingle Bells" and "Christmas Time's A Comin'.''
Mr. Franks and Mr. Autry brought together several music stars that donated their performances. Among them Country Music Hall of Fame members Jimmy Dickens, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, the late Kitty Wells, the late Pee Wee King, and the late Grant Turner.
Other stars included Jesse McReynolds, the late Jim McReynolds, Jerry Douglas, the Whites, Mac Wiseman, the Marksmen Quartet, Ralph Stanley, the Lewis Family, the late Doug Dillard, the late Chubby Wise, Mose Davis, Bobby Wright, the late Johnnie Wright, the late Josh Graves, the late Jimmy Martin, Buddy Spicher, Jim Hoke, Abe Manuel, Jr., Ken Holloway, John Farley, Bill Everett, the late Gene Daniell and Wayne Lewis.
The CD continues to be available online at www.shareamericafoundation.org or via mail for a donation of $20, inside the U.S., and $25, outside the U.S., to the Share America Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
Share America will host its next fundraising concert at the Ringgold Depot on Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Gospel Hall of Fame member Archie Watkins and Ryan Stinson. Donation is $5.
For more information about Alan Autry, visit
autryentertainmentgroup.com or Randall Franks, visit
randallfranks.com.