In his short life, 10-year-old Tanner Denton inspired children and adults with his smile and positive attitude.
The Jefferson Elementary fourth-grader died in December after a battle with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare kidney disease that slowly scars the kidneys to the point they can no longer function.
But Tanner's courageous attitude lives on through a CD that was started in January 2013 to help raise money for his kidney transplant. The CD, titled "Kid Needz," will be released Thursday, Jan. 23, in a party from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Newt's, 116 E. Warren St., Shelby. Songs from the CD will be performed by the musicians who wrote them, and Tanner's parents, Melanie and Travis, will be there.
"People in the community donated to have the CD produced," said Justin Harper, singer, songwriter and music teacher at Jefferson and James Love elementaries. "Music can help. We can all come together and meet the need of somebody with this project."
Harper said that Melanie shared with him that just one of the medical bills totaled $6,250.
"We have 400 CDs to sell for a donation of $10," Harper said. "That would be $4,000, but the need is greater. It would be ideal to get $6,250 out of these."
The CD includes a song written and performed by Tanner, "Life is Like a Ferris Wheel." The rest of the songs on the CD were submitted by musicians from Cleveland County, Texas and Michigan. Harper sponsored a songwriting contest to collect songs for the CD, and the prize was a studio recording session.
Two high school songwriters, Caleb Lail and Billy Hall, won the grand prize of having their songs fully produced for the CD. Caleb, a member of Shelby High School orchestra, plays mandolin and guitar. Billy is involved with Burns High School�s Drama Department, and uses his rapping talent for his ministry. These two songs were produced by Harper with the help of Jeff Nichter, a recent music industry graduate of Appalachian State and Aaron Meier of Stepping Stone Sound in Shelby.
Other songs on the album were written by John �Marty� Glover, Chris Beach, Al Dunkleman and Jonathan Robinson.
- David Tribble, a singer/songwriter from Texas who ranks #1 on the charts in his city. His song, �Be Amazing,� is an uplifting tune with a strong beat.
- Steve Hodnett, originally from Forest City currently resides in New England. His song, �What We Want,� is about separating ourselves from our wants and being joyful for having our needs fulfilled.
All proceeds from the CD will go to help Tanner's family with medical expenses.
For more information, contact Harper at 704-600-5138 or his website, songharper.com.