Youngest Solo Artist GRAMMY® Nominee Billy Gilman To Partner With Shoe Charity Soles4Souls® On Project This Spring

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- International Shoe charity Soles4Souls has announced a partnership with multi-platinum selling GRAMMY® nominee Billy Gilman, with the goal of sponsoring 500,000 shoes for children and adults in need worldwide. Gilman, who has sold more than 6 million albums worldwide and garnered awards and nods from the ACMs, CMAs, Billboard, and AMAs, has spent the past couple of years writing material for a new CD, working with some of Nashville's top songwriters. He is currently in the studio recording, with anticipated new music from the artist expected in 2012.

Gilman has always been a voice for those less fortunate than himself.  After seeing a video clip of Soles4Souls' Founder Wayne Elsey talking about the organization, Gilman was "really blown away at what they do for so many" and decided that he wanted to join Soles4Souls in their mission to help kids around the world in need of shoes. 

"I am proud to be partnering with Soles4Souls and am excited about what's to come in the very near future with our partnership," added Gilman.

Formed as a relief effort following the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, Soles4Souls has donated more than 16 million pairs of shoes across 129 countries.  The charity's mission includes distributing shoes to the children and adults around the world who live in adverse poverty and have no access to appropriate footwear.  A pair of shoes can protect a child in developing nations from soil-based diseases like hookworm and keeps them in compliance with the uniform code at school.

"Billy is an extraordinary young man who has experienced more success in his teenage years than most artists only hope to experience in a lifetime," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls.  "We are beyond thrilled that he continues to use his voice and his platform as a way to help others.  He is a role model for so many and we are honored he has chosen to partner with our cause," he said.

More details about the project and Billy's involvement with the charity will be announced later in February.  Individuals can visit www.giveshoes.org to hear the latest news on the project.

About Soles4Souls® Based in Nashville, Tenn., Soles4Souls collects new shoes to give relief to the victims of abject suffering and collects used shoes to support micro-enterprise efforts to eradicate poverty.  The organization also provides clothing and other necessities under the names Clothes4Souls and Hope4Souls.  Donating parties may be eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org, www.clothes4souls.org, or www.hope4souls.org for more information.