A gift that makes a difference…

Most of us have barely digested our Thanksgiving turkey but Richie McDonald, former lead singer of Lonestar, is already feeling the Christmas spirit. For every copy of his If Everyday Could Be Christmas album purchased via the Fan Clubhouse Store, $5.00 will go directly to the Loretta Johnson Medical Fund.

Loretta is one third of Nashville’s most beloved trio; Loudilla, Loretta and Kay Johnson. The sisters are the founders and co-presidents of the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO), the only fan club monitoring organization in the world. They have been the dedicated voice of the fans, and the artists, for more than forty years. Loretta, and her wonderfully sweet and kind sisters, have been giving to others throughout their lives and now the tables have turned. Loretta's long battle with cancer has depleted their insurance and nearly all of their other resources. They have reached a place where they need to be on the receiving end of the kindness and compassion they have shown to others all these years and McDonald is making it so easy for YOU to help. This album is the perfect stocking stuffer for everyone on your Christmas list and if you purchase it from the link below, you'll be giving an extra gift to someone who really needs it.

McDonald, who was honored in 2002 with the BMI Songwriter of the Year Award for "I'm Already There," and contributed on many of Lonestar's biggest hits, has put his own stamp on a few Christmas classics and four new songs on which he co-wrote. Although he did not write the title cut, there will be no doubt in your mind when you hear it, that he was feeling the Christmas spirit when the song was recorded and in keeping with holiday traditions which focus on family and home, Rhett, Mollie and Maise, McDonald's three children, appropriately lend their singing talents, and delightful laughter, to the CD on "Why Santa's Fat." 

"not sugar plums and bubble gum 
oreos or none of that  
santa’s just so full of love 
and that’s why santa’s fat." 

The laughter, alone, of the children on this track is guaranteed to lift your spirits and get you in a holiday mood.

"Coming Home For Christmas," co-written with Victoria Shaw and Jim Brickman, is lyrically compelling and passionately delivered and "Christmas Lights," co-written with Ron Harbin, is another cut with captivating lyrics and a fluid melody. The fourth song that McDonald co-wrote on is the final cut, "Miracles Happen;" co-written with Gary Baker and Christian author Karen Kingsbury. This cut will be featured in her upcoming movie, Gideon's Gift. All four of the songs McDonald had a hand in writing, possess all the right ingredients that could easily garner them a spot on the list of Christmas classics and the album also includes the existing classics of "White Christmas," "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and "The Christmas Song."

So, there you have it. It's a win/win situation. You can add a wonderful album, eleven songs in all, to your Christmas collection and if you purchase it from the Fan Clubhouse store, that warm, fuzzy feeling won't be just because you are listening to truly great music. Nope, it will come from knowing that you were able to help someone who truly needs, and deserves, your help. 

If you do not want a portion of your purchase to go to the Loretta Johnson Medical Fund, If Everyday Could be Christmas can be purchased directly from McDonald's website.

By the way, if you are feeling extra generous, you can make a donation without making a purchase or you can check out the IFCO auction. The sisters are auctioning off many of their accumulated country music treasures to help raise money for Loretta's medical bills and, believe me, over the past forty years, they have collected some real trophies.

That about does it; life surely would be good If Everyday Could Be Christmas.

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To have $5 from your purchase go to the Loretta Johnson Medical Fund [CLICK HERE] 
To browse the Loretta Johnson Medical Fund Auction [CLICK HERE]