Christmas wouldnt be Christmas if it werent for thinking of others and opening ones heart to charity. Kate and Caroline Kirk are suffering from a rare and fatal genetic disorder called Niemann-Pick Type A/B a metabolic disease with an occurrence of one in a million that causes progressive neurological damage. Caroline, age six, has symptoms that have progressed beyond the point of help but her experience has helped provide her beloved three-year-old sister with a chance a potentially life-saving cord bone marrow transplant could give Kate a new lease on life. The Kirks live in Nashville, and Nashvilles finest have answered Gary Tallents (Bruce Springsteen) call with the gift of uniquely country-flavoured Christmas music to help raise money for the girls, proceeds going to COTA (the Childrens Program Transplant Association). Fifteen powerful tracks do their part to spread joy as they encourage contributions to this worthy, heart-wrenching cause. Steve Earle and Allison Moorers "Nothing but a Child strikes an obvious nerve while John Prines "Ill Be Home for Christmas champions the traditional. Rosie Flores uplifting "Christmas Everyday joins with a near-punk treatment of "Oh! Holy Night by Jason & the Scorchers, just in case you were starting to nod off. Bob Delevantes beautiful "Half Bad in the Snow is a track that sticks in your brain as does Jim Lauderdales country-rockin "Holly and her Mistletoe. Pru Clearwaters Big Happy turns in a hilariously fun "Gift-Wrapped Boy (with a bonus track sung by a child). Add a little more meaning to your Christmas music this year and youll be rewarded by the experience as you help spread the word.
(Sappy)Various
To: Kate: A Benefit for Kate's Sake
BY Eric ThomPublished Dec 1, 2005