11:00 AM – 3:15 PM: English Track: GICC EXHIBIT HALLS C & D

Andrea Thomas is a Cincinnati, Ohio native who left her hometown at the age of 18 to study music at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Soon thereafter, she auditioned and was casted for Veggietales Rockin Tour Live! 2006 tour and, as the lead, toured to 50 cities throughout the United States and Canada. After the conclusion of the tour, Andrea returned to Franciscan University near Pittsburgh to finish her degree in Theology, Finance, and Marketing. Andrea’s passion for music led her to start an all-women’s singing group at Franciscan University which performed regularly throughout her three years on campus. It was during this time that she began writing her own music. In 2011 she debuted with multi-platinum, country music mega star, Collin Raye, on his first inspirational album, His Love Remains. Several months later, Andrea released her first album, Crying out to You, on December 8, 2011. Andrea travels and sings both solo and with Collin Raye at concerts and conferences throughout the United States. She currently balances being a Special Events Contractor with her music career.

11:00 AM – 3:15 PM: English Track: GICC EXHIBIT HALLS C & D

Born Floyd Elliot Wray on August 22, 1960 in De Queen, Arkansas, country artist Collin Raye was one of the true hit makers of the 1990’s. Collin still continues to crank out soulful, heartfelt material with the honesty and richness that is signature to his vocals alone. With 24 top ten records, 16 #1 hits, and having been a 10 time male vocalist of the year nominee (5 CMA and 5 ACM), this truly electrifying performer of his era remains one of the great voices of our time.

Collin Raye is nothing if not passionate. His soulful delivery has set country standards in such searing ballads as “Love, Me,” “In This Life,” “Not That Different” and “If I were you”. Always an energizing showman, he has also blazed through such vivid rockers as “My Kind of Girl,” “That’s My Story,” “I Can Still Feel You” and “I Want You Bad.”

Collin shot to fame with “Love, Me” in 1991. Listeners were so moved by this golden and pure voice that this song set the cornerstone for a career built on meaningful and emotional songs that have often been used for weddings, anniversaries, memorial services and funerals. When “Little Rock”, an anthem for those struggling with addition recovery, hit the chart in 1994, its video led to over 100,000 phone calls to Alcoholics Anonymous from folks seeking help in their addictions. “Not That Different” was a song that pleaded for tolerance. “In This Life” became a wedding favorite, and “I Think About You” won awards for its song and video which exposed the exploitation of women and children.

Collin Raye has consistently used his stardom to advance social causes. Among the organizations he has supported are Boys Town, First Steps, Al-Anon, Special Olympics, Country Cares About AIDS, Catholic Relief Services, Parade of Pennies, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, The Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence, The Emily Harrison Foundation, Childhelp USA, Silent Witness National Initiative, Easter Seals, The Life and Hope Network, and Make a Difference Day. It came as no surprise when in 2001 at the Country Radio Seminar, Clint Black presented Collin Raye with the organization’s Humanitarian of the Year award in recognition of Collin’s issue-oriented music and his tireless charity work.

The man who has topped the charts with such great songs as “On the Verge,” “One Boy, One Girl,” “What the Heart Wants,” “Every Second”, “That Was a River”, “Anyone Else”, and “If I were you” continues to touch hearts across the globe in both traditional and new ways . Collin Raye’s new outreach is very personal. In 2010, after the loss of his precious 10 year old grandchild, Haley, Collin and his daughter Britanny (Haley’s mother) established The Haley Bell Blessed Chair Foundation to honor her memory. The Foundation supports and assists families of the cognitively and physically disabled with a primary emphasis on supplying wheelchairs and other necessary medical equipment to elevate the quality of life for the disabled family member in need. Collin wrote a very special song for Haley called, “She’s with me”, which carries a powerful message for families of special needs children. Additionally, in 2011 Collin released his first inspirational album, His Love Remains, which quickly shot to #1 on Amazon for inspirational and religious music. In 2013, Collin released his latest album, “Still on the Line“, which is a tribute album to his longtime friend and country music legend, Glen Campbell, who continues to battle Alzheimer’s Disease. The album, featuring Ricky Skaggs and Billy Dean, includes classic Glen Campbell hits. Collin continues to perform his traditional country music across America and abroad and has added Christian and Catholic concerts to his tour schedule as well. His autobiography, A Voice Undefeated, was released April 2014. He currently resides in Nashville, TN with his daughter, Britanny and granddaughter, Mattie.

June 4, 2016 – 11:00 am – 3:15 pm: GICC EXHIBIT HALLS C&D

Join us in the English Track for a variety of speakers that will reflect on the importance of this Year of Mercy and how we can grow spiritually by reconnecting with Christ in the Eucharist.

SCHEDULE

• 11:00 am Welcome: Russ Spencer, Emcee
• 11:30 am Allen Hunt
• 12:15 pm Jennifer Furwiler
• 1:00 pm John Allen, Jr.
• 1:45 pm Dr. Carolyn Woo
• 2:30 pm Collin Raye and Andrea Thomas
• 3:15 pm Fr. Donald Calloway
• 4:00 pm English Track Concludes
• 4:30 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet Aimee Van Rooyen
• 5:00 pm Vigil Mass Exhibit Hall A,B,C,D
  Music – St. Philip Benizi Choir