Knoxville Gets Its Own 'Music Row'

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Knoxville Habitat for Humanity and the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation are teaming up with America's talented musical artists to build a 'Music Row' in Knoxville. Only this 'Music Row' serves to provide local families with simple, decent and affordable housing.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100519/CL07789 )

Today, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of country duo Brooks & Dunn participated in the dedication of the 'Brooks & Dunn' house, the first of the 'Music Row' houses made possible by the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation. The home is located at 1717 LeFlore, formerly Bonny Ave., in Knoxville.

"The work of Habitat for Humanity is extraordinary and inspiring. It is an honor to be part of this project and have our names on one of Knoxville's new 'Music Row' homes," said Brooks & Dunn.

'Music Row' will be a collection of numerous houses built by Knoxville Habitat for Humanity on LeFlore Ave. in the Lonsdale community. The houses, each of which will be built during the next 10 years, are underwritten by the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation from an annual benefit concert featuring a country music act. Brooks & Dunn performed at the first event in 2008 and the first house is built in their honor. Next year, a home will be built in honor of recording artist Martina McBride, who performed at the 2009 benefit.

Even though the homes are underwritten by the foundation, the homes are not given away. In lieu of a down payment, all Knoxville Habitat for Humanity homeowners are required to complete 500 hours of sweat equity, mostly in the form of budgeting and homeowner classes. In addition, the family pays a mortgage on the home that is at zero-percent over 25 to 30 years.

Besides a visit from country duo Brooks & Dunn, the dedication included remarks from Knoxville Habitat for Humanity's president and CEO, Kelle Shultz and Charlie and Moll Anderson of the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation.

"Today we're celebrating new homeowner Stephanie Davis, thanks to the generosity of the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation," said Shultz. "When Brooks & Dunn hand Stephanie the keys to her new house it will unlock her dream of home ownership."

"Home ownership has an incredible generational impact on families. According to a 2001 Harvard University study, children whose families own a home have better home environments, higher cognitive test scores and fewer behavioral problems than do children of renters," said Charlie Anderson. "The positive affect that a steady, grounded home environment can have on a child is amazing."

"We are thrilled to be a part of the 'Music Row' here in Knoxville. One of our Foundation's key philosophies is to provide basic human needs, and shelter fits into that category.  Working with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is a perfect way for us to focus on something that's so important for all humans – a safe and healthy home," said Moll Anderson.

About Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is an independent, nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs. Knoxville Habitat for Humanity has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1985 and builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with people in need. Volunteers and future homeowners provide the labor in building the homes, while tax-deductible donations of money, land and materials are provided by individuals, organizations and corporations. In 2010, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity will build its 400^th home in Knox County. For more information visit www.KnoxvilleHabitatforHumanity.com.

SOURCE Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation