Kristian Bush and Goodwill Industries of Houston Connected Donors and Goodwill® Program Participants with Concert and Donation Event

'Give It Away' Message from Multi-Platinum Recording Artist's Top 30-and-Climbing Single "Trailer Hitch" Comes to Life Through Partnership with Goodwill and Encourages Donations

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Goodwill Industries International

Dec 12, 2014, 05:22 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Multi-platinum Streamsound recording artist Kristian Bush and Goodwill Industries of Houston connected donors and Goodwill® job connection program participants with a benefit concert and donation event held in Houston, TX last night (12/11). Through a national partnership between Bush and Goodwill Industries International, fans were encouraged to provide an item or financial donation for free entry into Bush's live concert, meet some of Goodwill's job connection center program participants in person, and see how their donations directly impact lives and help create jobs.

The event brought to life the meaning of Bush's Top 30-and-climbing single "Trailer Hitch," which reminds us that we collect so many things that we don't need and we can't take it with us when we go… so why not "give it away"?

Goodwill Industries of Houston President and CEO Steve Lufburrow attended the event, hosted by KKBQ "The New 93Q", to talk about the initiative and help kick off the live concert with Bush.

"Thank you to everyone who came out to last night's event. It was an honor to help Houstonians make the connection between the everyday items they donate to Goodwill and the members of their community who have received jobs or are going through training for future careers because of those donations. Goodwill's message is 'Donate Stuff. Create Jobs.' And last night, we got to see the magic of that message in person," said Bush.

"We are honored that the Houston community was chosen as the kick-off for Kristian's partnership with our Goodwill agencies across North America," said Steve Lufburrow, president and CEO of Goodwill Houston. "Kristian's concert last evening drew hundreds of Houston area residents who brought used clothing, household goods and monetary donations. The revenue from the sale of these donations empowers community residents to meet their goals and fulfill their futures through job training programs and support services. We are grateful for Kristian's support of Goodwill, and encourage others to donate what they no longer need."

Earlier this week, Bush performed an exclusive concert preview for Houston media in a news conference at Goodwill Houston headquarters. He visited with staff, toured the job connection center and talked about the importance of the partnership and the #GiveItAway campaign.

"Trailer Hitch" is the lead single from his forthcoming debut solo album, SOUTHERN GRAVITY (Streamsound Records), executive produced by Byron Gallimore.

Fans are encouraged to continue donating to Goodwill year round. For more information on the #GiveItAway campaign, click here: http://www.goodwill.org/trailerhitch/.

About Kristian Bush
Bush has been leaving his mark on music for more than two decades. The singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist started his career with folk rock duo Billy Pilgrim in the early '90s, releasing a much-lauded pair of albums for Atlantic Records (self-titled debut and BLOOM). In 2004, he exploded onto the country music scene with Sugarland, surpassing sales of over 22 million albums worldwide, achieving five No. 1 singles and winning numerous awards, including GRAMMYs, AMAs, ACMs, CMT Music Awards and CMAs. To date, Bush garnered six BMI Awards for his songwriting, and in 2011 founded the music publishing company and songwriting collective Songs of the Architect. Recent producing/songwriting collaborations include Mike Elizondo, Rita Wilson, Dia Frampton, Ellis Paul, Matt Nathanson, the dB's, Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls, Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale, and up-and-comers including Larkin Poe, Natalie Stovall, Canaan Smith, Jaida Dreyer, Alana Springsteen, and The Voice contestant Savannah Berry. For more information, visit www.kristianbush.com.

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with a presence in 14 other countries. Goodwill is one of America's top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,000 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2013, more than 9.8 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To learn more, visit goodwill.org.

To find a Goodwill near you, use the online locator at locator.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl or @GoodwillCapHill, or find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

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SOURCE Goodwill Industries International