Country Artists Jason Michael Carroll & Blackhawk - Making Noise for Mental Health

DOVER, Del. - Sept. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- On October 5, the 2^nd Annual Country Jam – Jammin’ for Hope, benefiting the Sarah Smile Foundation, featuring two headliners, Jason Michael Carroll (JMC) and Blackhawk. The events primary sponsor is Cowboy Up and held at the Fordham-Dominion Brewery in Dover, DE.

JMC rose to fame in 2006 with his debut album Waitin’ In The Country. The album produced three Top 40 hits including “Alyssa Lies,” “Livin’ Our Love Song,” and “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead.” It soared to number one on the US Country charts, selling nearly half a million copies.  JMC recently released his first new album since 2011, featuring the single “Close Enough.”  He is currently touring cross-country and overseas to perform for the military.

Blackhawk, a multi-platinum country group and one of country’s most recognizable sounds of the ’90s, has touched people young and old. Their unique musical character has been a catalyst in bringing non-country music fans to the genre. In 1993 with their self-titled album and top 10 hit single “Goodbye Says It All” and three more hit singles that followed,“Every Once In A While,” “I Sure Can Smell The Rain” and “That’s Just About Right,” propelled the album to platinum status. Twenty-one years after their arrival, Blackhawk’s legend grows. They released their new album, Brothers of the Southland, on July 8, 2014. This album is the band’s first in 12 years.

Joining the headliners, are country artists Chris Woodward & Shindiggin’, Payton Taylor and Casey Coleman.  The Country Jam is a family friendly event with food and craft vendors, corn hole tournament, mechanical bull, moon bounce, bungee trampoline, rock climbing and more!

Advance tickets are $30, $20 (ages 5 -12), 4 and under are free. Free parking when gates open at 11 am, with performances starting at noon.  More information and tickets available at www.cowboyupde.com  or in person at Cowboy Up. Sponsors:Cowboy Up, June Jam, LoggDawg Entertainment, Fordham-Dominion Brewery, EP Engine Performance, Foundation for a Better Tomorrow.

About Sarah Smile Foundation: The Sarah Smile Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness. The majority of those living with mental illness, live in silence because they feel ashamed and fear they will be judged. The good news is that most mental illnesses are highly treatable, allowing those diagnosed, to lead full and productive lives.

The foundation was created by the owners of Cowboy Up, James and Felicia Baker, primary sponsors of the Country Jam.  At 17, their daughter, Sarah Schaefer, was diagnosed with Depression, Anxiety and Panic Disorder. She is now 25.  Felicia shares, “I am so proud of our daughter.  Sarah hoped that if she started speaking openly about her mental illness, it would help others to open up too.  And it appears to be working.  I am so thankful to our loyal family and friends at Cowboy Up who support SSF and are helping to bring awareness.  Around here, we speak openly and often about mental illness. This year at the 2^nd Annual Country Jam, we will be making some noise and making it loud... mental illness is a real disease and not a character flaw or weakness.  We leave shame and judgment at the gate.”

Cowboy Up is also joining Foundation for a Better Tomorrow at the Out of Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention, with a team of 19 (and growing). Proceeds to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.