This Saturday, May 13, country music groups from all over Georgia and many from Nashville will gather in Fayetteville to participate in a family style event in Johnny Cochran’s back yard to celebrate life as well as Cochran’s birthday.

For the fourth consecutive year, Cochran, a long time resident of Fayetteville, will host “Johnny Cochran’s Celebration of Life Concert” to benefit Promise Place, the council on domestic violence that serves Fayette County.

Stella Parton, sister of Dolly Parton, will headline the free event.

Stella Parton was born May 4, 1949 in Sevierville, Tennessee and is the sixth of 12 children born to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens. As an award winning singer, songwriter, author and actress, Parton has produced 19 albums with 27 chart singles, including a Billboard Top 10 hit, has traveled the world from Australia to Nashville and was named CCMA’s 2002 Mainstream Country Artist and 2004 Female Vocalist. She has had a number of Top 40 country hits including “Steady Rain” and “Four Little Letters.”

Cochran met the Parton family during his more than 20 year career as a commercial driver. Through his weekend trips to Nashville, for which he holds a Guinness World Record for having not missed a single weekend of driving to the city in 20 years, Cochran met many of the Nashville music scene’s most prominent acts. Over the years he developed friendships that continue today.

The idea for the “Celebration of Life Concert” was first conceived by Parton who works with shelters and domestic violence victims across the United States. When seeing her friend’s huge backyard and knowing his love for country music, she suggested having a show for his birthday and collecting money for the local shelter. Each year the donations have doubled. Last year’s donations reached close to $7,500.

Many of Cochran’s friends from Nashville have participated in the past three years. Last year Stella Parton, Leona Williams and Diane Jordan appeared along with several local acts including the Sweet Inspirations, comedian J.B. Slicker and the Clayton Head Band. This year Jordan as well as, Sherri Jerrico, Parton and Slicker will return. Debra Kay and gospel singer Sue Ann O’Neill will also perform at this year’s event.

After last year’s event Parton said, “We have almost outgrown Johnny’s backyard. Our goal for donations in 2006 is $15,000, so help us make Johnny’s birthday bigger and better.”

Cochran said he hopes for at least $10,000 this year.

After the inaugural event, Wal-Mart became an annual sponsor, donating $1,000 to the program each year. Chick-fil-A and Coca Cola have also signed up as sponsors, providing food and beverages for the event. Chick-fil-A sandwiches and drinks from Coca Cola will be available for purchase the night of the event, with all proceeds going to the Promise Place.

Although the event is free, organizers ask that those in attendance donate to the cause. Parton will walk through the crowd alongside Cochran collecting donations from those who would like to help out.

Area merchants have also been making donations since February of this year, many in the form of monetary donations while some have also donated items for an auction that will occur in conjunction with the concert. Items to bid on include gift certificates to restaurants including O’Charley’s as well as various fast food establishments, grocery certificates to Food Depot, Publix and Kroger, cookware, an office chair and perhaps the most coveted item, a guitar signed by country music star Sara Evans.

The concert will be held rain or shine at 305 Tyrone Road in Fayetteville and starts at 5 p.m. Traditionally the evening wraps up between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring their own lawn chair or blanket as there is no seating provided. For more information contact Johnny Cochran at 770-487-4554.

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