TV Host Jawn Murray Assembles All-Star Cast for ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ Virtual Collaboration

Music Endeavor Was A Selfless Birthday Gift to Inspire & Encourage Virtual Connection During The Pandemic

Jawn Murray’s remake of the Dionne Warwick ‘That’s What Friends Are For’, marks the 35th., anniversary of the original song release.

TV Host & Pop Culture Commentator Jawn Murray has assembled an all-star list of R&B, Gospel & Jazz singers for an inspiring virtual collaboration remaking the classic ‘Dionne Warwick & Friends’song, “That’s What Friends Are For.”

Feeling the weight of people online expressing the challenges of social distancing during the pandemic and missing human connection, Murray spent 72 hours in the days leading up to his birthday on April 21 reaching out to a variety of his friends about participating.  The end resulted in over 24 vocalists who all submitted videos for the empowering endeavor. “My superpower is connection and like so many others, it’s certainly been challenging for me not having regular interaction with my friends, family, and loved ones.  So I had a vision to create a movement that would inspire people during this time, remind them of the importance of friendship and connection, and just be a blessing as we live through a moment in history where people are yearning for hope,” said Murray.

The 24 singers featured on the “That’s What Friends Are For” virtual collaboration include Yolanda Adams, Ruben Studdard, Michelle Williams, Coko of SWV, Syleena Johnson, Major., Shirley Murdock, CeCe Peniston, Le’Andria Johnson, Kenny Lattimore, Shanice, Ann Nesby, Avery Sunshine, Dave Hollister, Trenyce, Y’Anna Crawley, Leela James, Isaac Carree, Maysa, Lexi, Brian Courtney Wilson, Paula Champion, Angie Stone, and Jeremiah Abiah. The superstar initiative will go live via Murray’s YouTube, Instagram TV, and Facebook Pages at 2:27 pm ET on Monday, April 27, 2020, and use the hashtag #Friends4Connection.

Murray arranged and self-produced the video and collaborated with producer/musician Phil Walker who created the original musical arrangement to accompany the vocalists, in addition to playing the keyboard.
 
The Washington, DC-based Murray is available for TV, radio and digital interviews to talk about this endeavor, the importance of finding unique ways to connect with friends and ways to hone your creativity during this time.

ABOUT Jawn Murray: Jawn Murray is a quick-witted TV Host and Pop Culture Expert. He has hosted specials for Travel Channel, NFL Network, and EPIX. In 2014 while co-hosting “The View,” the show’s creator Barbara Walters turned to him on live TV and expressed: “I like your way with words!” Jawn has also been featured on “The Wendy Williams Show,” “The Meredith Vieira Show,” CNN, HLN, and MSNBC; among other networks.  A former on-air personality on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, Jawn was named by the NAACP as one of “40 Power Players Under 40” and named by Ebony magazine as one of the “30 on the Rise” to watch in the entertainment industry.

FOLLOW Jawn Murray on social media:
Instagram: @JawnMurray
Facebook: @JawnMurrayWorld
Twitter: @JawnMurray
YouTube: @JawnMurray

Press Contact:
Simone Smalls | Strategic Heights Media
[email protected]

About Daniela Lima-Holland 59 Articles
Daniela Lima Holland & SPIN IT MEDIA are digital news & communications specialists based, in Los Angeles, CA.
Contact: Website

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