What If the Apple iTunes Store Used Its $1.7 Billion in First-Quarter 2012 Sales to Help People?

April 22, 2012 - PRLog -- Phoenix, Ariz. - The world would be a better place if Apple donated those sales to the charities that work so hard to make a positive difference. In fact, the iTunes Store represents only about 4% of Apple’s total revenue stream. Combining its sales of MAC computers, iPods, iPads and their best performer, the iPhone, Apple recently announced that the first three months of 2012 was its best quarter ever, with $46.33 billion in revenue and $13.06 billion in profit. But Apple is simply not going to do something like that, is it? No, and that is why singer-songwriter Scott Helmer is launching the Support YOUR Cause Tour 2012-2013 – to raise one million dollars for good causes.

“I’m hoping that what I do will inspire other artists to do the same. Can you imagine all the people who could be helped if someone like Justin Bieber or a band like Maroon 5 did something like this?” Helmer’s tour is inspired by some of the hard knocks he has experienced in his own life. “I know what it’s like to hit hard times. In the last economic meltdown, I ended up losing everything, including my business and my family,” said Helmer. “There are just going to be times when people, myself included, need a little help to get back on their feet. They need access to the lifeline that so many great organizations offer. But those groups need our support."

Helmer’s debut album, Wake Me When It’s Over, scheduled for release on August 1, 2012, will be made available for free through his website to anyone who donates at least $5 towards the cause of their choice. A free download of the first track, Time To Say Goodbye is available now at http://www.scotthelmer.com/music. Helmer noted, “Ever since a particular episode of George Noory’s radio show, Coast to Coast AM, I’ve been thinking a lot about the needs of our wounded veterans coming home, but people should contribute to whatever good cause they feel most passionate about.” Beginning August 1, there will be three easy steps to get the album: 1) Donate at least $5 to your favorite cause, 2) Send your donation confirmation email to support@scotthelmer.com, and 3) After Helmer’s team confirms the donation, you’ll receive the link to download the album. Scott Helmer does not handle any actual donations, he’s only rewarding contributors with the album download.

The music on Wake Me When It’s Over was co-written and co-performed by Scott Helmer (vocals and drums) and his photographer-musician brother, Rich Helmer (guitar). The album was produced at the Waterfront Studios of legendary, multiple Grammy award winning producer Henry Hirsch in Hudson, New York. Hirsch, whose credits include the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, and Mick Jagger, also contributed his own talent to the effort, playing bass guitar on all tracks and B3 organ on Look At My Face. Described as a contagious, radio-friendly blend of rock and pop that also appeals to country and Americana fans, Wake Me When It’s Over is a collection of songs that describe journeys of pain and loss, but that ultimately point towards a pathway of hope.

The Support YOUR Cause Tour 2012-2013 http://www.scotthelmer.com/tour features solo acoustic performances of songs from Wake Me When It’s Over along with covers of some of Scott’s favorite rock and country songs. The tour kicks off on April 30 at the Old Town Bistro in Socorro, New Mexico. Scott will be busy during May and June with back-to-back shows in Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and California. July and August are filling up rapidly as well. “The response so far has been absolutely fantastic. I never expected this many bookings so early on. Now all we need is for 200,000 people to each donate $5 to their favorite cause to reach our ambitious goal,” said Helmer. “And I think it’ll happen.”

Information and booking for the Support YOUR Cause Tour 2012-2013 through the website, http://www.scotthelmer.com or facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ScottHelmerMusic.