CMT News

The Academy of Country Music's charitable program, ACM Lifting Lives, has awarded another $190,000 to worthy causes throughout the U.S. The ACM has now donated $800,000 this year for a variety of projects, including flood relief in Middle Tennessee. Among this year's recipients are programs and facilities recommended by country artists to receive funding. They included Darius Rucker's request for Pattison's Academy, a school in Charleston, S.C., that serves the needs of disabled children. Jack Ingram suggested Grounded in Music, a program providing music education and mentorship to children in Central Texas. Requested by Danny Gokey, Sophia's Heart Foundation in Nashville offers an after-school music and arts program for children. Rodney Atkins made the request to expand the music education program at the Holston Home, an orphanage in Greeneville, Tenn. Atkins lived at Holston Home prior to being adopted as an infant.