AMERICA'S FISH AND WILDLIFE
Text-To-Give Campaign Uses Popular Song to Raise Money for Wildlife Agencies
(Nashville, Tennessee...) -- What started as a simple fishing promotion with one of the world's most recognizable songs, has led Country music star Darryl Worley to become an outdoor ambassador for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and other similar state organizations across the country. Darryl and songwriting pal Wynn Varble recorded "The Fishin' Hole," better known as "The Andy Griffith Show" theme song, and the song is being offered through a text-to-give campaign to raise money for relief efforts caused by wave of natural disasters that impacted numerous states in 2011.
"Everyone knows that melody, and it will stick in your head for days if you're not careful," according to Darryl. "Even though I'm a huge 'Andy Griffith Show' fan, I didn't know the song had lyrics. They are clever and give the song brand new life."
Fans can text the word FISH to 50555, which allows a ten dollar donation to be added to the user's phone bill. As a thank you gift, a link to a free ringtone of the song is sent to the donor's phone. These funds are received by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, and the net proceeds are then used to help restore levees, replace equipment lost or damaged in the disasters and re-stock fish in waters affected by flooding, tornadoes, drought and more. Donations from other parts of the country are distributed back to the state of origin's wildlife agency.
Darryl relates, "The outdoors has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in Tennessee and have always looked forward to my time in the woods and on the water. Whenever I get a little down time, I love to get away from it all and relax. I'm honored to be able to lend a hand to those who take care of our fish and wildlife."
The "Fishin' Hole Song" music video, which features Darryl, Wynn and Bassmaster Elite professional anglers Terry Scroggins, Gerald Swindle, Kota Kiriyama, and Brent Chapman was debuted during the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies meeting held recently in Nashville. Music video outlets will begin airing the video in the coming weeks, and a corresponding public service announcement encourages fans to participate in the texting campaign. Scroggins and Swindle have also recorded a Public Service Announcement touting the campaign.
Darryl and Wynn are no strangers to collaboration. One of their co-written songs is the huge hit recorded by Darryl called "Have You Forgotten."
The music video was produced and directed by Richard Prather for Dalia Entertainment and may be viewed at www.twrf.net. The song is available on iTunes and at Outdoormusic.com.
www.TNwildlife.org www.DarrylWorley.com
