ED ROLAND & FRIENDS’ ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOWS TO BENEFIT FIRST TEE OF ATLANTA & UPPER CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER

First Tee of Atlanta board member and lead singer of Collective Soul

gives back to pair of local organizations through special performances

at Eddie’s Attic December 19 & 20

ATLANTA (Dec. 11, 2009) – Ed Roland, Atlanta native and lead singer of Collective Soul, will perform annual holiday benefit shows, entitled Ed Roland & Friends, at Eddie’s Attic on December 19 and 20.

Proceeds from the Sunday, Dec. 20 show will go to The First Tee of Atlanta, a nonprofit organization that positively impacts Atlanta’s youth by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.  Roland also will perform the night before on Dec. 19, with proceeds benefiting the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organization.

Tickets for both shows can be purchased by visiting www.eddiesattic.com. Tables of four are available for $400; bar stools for $50; and standing room for $30.

“Ed and his friends throughout the local Atlanta music community so graciously give of their time and talents by putting on these special performances for us to enjoy around the holidays,” said Vanessa Hawkins, executive director of The First Tee of Atlanta. “He gives so much to our organization and kids, and we are proud to have him on our board.” 

Doors for both shows will open at 6:30 p.m. and the evening includes a silent auction with music starting at 7:30 p.m. A variety of artists will perform, including Roland’s brother and fellow Collective Soul band member Dean, along with Will Turpin and Joel Kosche also from Collective Soul.  Local artists and musicians including David Garza, Michael Tolcher, The Less, Michelle Caplinger, Richie Arpino and more will perform throughout the evening as well.

“I love coming home to Atlanta and being with my family for the holidays,” said Roland. “I started putting on these charity concerts at Eddie’s Attic as my way to give back to the Atlanta community. I want to showcase local talent, support charities that mean a great deal to me, and have fun with my friends and fans during this special time of year.”

ABOUT THE FIRST TEE OF ATLANTA

Based in Southwest Atlanta at the John A. White Park Golf Course, The First Tee of Atlanta provides learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the great game of golf. The First Tee of Atlanta was founded in 2000 and is a chapter of The First Tee, an international youth program created by the World Golf Foundation in 1997. The organization works to instill First Tee Nine Core Values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment in Atlanta’s youth ages 7-17. For more information, visit www.thefirstteeatlanta.org.

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