Get to Know Thompson Square

T2 Tour Dates

She brings the country vibe, nurtured by the radio and at the knee of her guitar-playing father in her native Alabama. He brings songwriting infused with influences from Merle Haggard to punk and metal to Springsteen. Together, husband-and-wife duo Shawna and Keifer Thompson have created something new—Thompson Square. And the music world has taken notice.

Soon after their 2010 signing with Stoney Creek Records, Thompson Square (or, sometimes, T2) released their self-titled debut album, which included the platinum-selling, Billboard number 1 country single "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," a triple winner at the 2011 American Country Awards.

Their growing collection of accolades, including two GRAMMY nominations, and their burgeoning fan base make it clear that Thompson Square is fast on the rise. So, ChildFund is excited to announce the duo as our next partner in LIVE!

Throughout the coming months, Thompson Square will perform nationwide, including many appearances with Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker on Lady A's "Own the Night" tour. With their wide appeal, T2 is sure to reach diverse audiences, presenting another great opportunity to share the message and experience of sponsoring a child.

In partnership with ChildFund, Thompson Square will help more children living in poverty to achieve their dreams.

Girls of Grace Gatherings

Girls of Grace Event Dates

Through their 20 years of making music together, the all-female, multi-platinum-selling contemporary Christian group Point of Grace received a lot of fan mail from teenage girls looking to them as role models.

In 2002, all that correspondence inspired an idea: a conference specifically designed for girls in 6th through 12th grades, where they could gather, talk and learn about the concerns that mattered to them most — relationships, friends, guys, social media and choices, and how all of these fit with their faith. As Point of Grace’s Denise Jones says, “At times girls feel like they are the only ones who struggle with certain issues. With a Girls of Grace conference, it gives them the opportunity to come together in a large group and realize that we all have our own struggles, and yet, we are in this together.”

The daylong conferences featuring live music and speakers make for a high-energy experience. This year’s dozen events, with a theme of “The Beautiful Truth,” include performances by Point of Grace, Meredith Andrews, Jason Castro, Chris August, Sidewalk Prophets, for KING & COUNTRY and Britt Nicole and renowned speakers such as Chris Wheeler, Annie Downs and Constance Rhodes. (Check the Girls of Grace website to learn which artists and speakers are appearing when.)

Here’s a “beautiful truth”: These all-girl events present a great opportunity for girls and their mothers to learn about their counterparts living in poverty around the world. The Girls of Grace LIVE! partnership with ChildFund will promote sponsorship of girls in our programs — because girls helping girls is a beautiful thing.

GET TO KNOW NEAL MCCOY

Neal McCoy Tour Dates

Our most recent addition to our slate of LIVE! performers is multi-platinum-selling country singer Neal McCoy. The East Texan joins ChildFund in our LIVE! concert series beginning June 8 and will continue well into November, playing dates across the U.S. ... and helping us share the message of child sponsorship.

Since getting his start in the late ’80s, McCoy has produced a dozen albums, a best-of record and several number one hits. His latest record, Twelve, is sparking excitement partly because country superstars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are attached to the project, but more so because it marks something of a comeback for McCoy.

Not that he hasn’t been busy—he’s written a book, created a foundation and performed steadily. And his shows, many of them on his 15 USO tours, are a labor of love. McCoy says of his audiences, “They’re not fans—they’re friends, and I want ’em to have a good time.”

Beginning on June 8, he’s going to have something new to share with those friends: McCoy has started sponsoring a little boy named John-David in the Philippines, his mother’s homeland. He’s sure to inspire many of his fans to join him.

GET TO KNOW DAVID ARCHULETA

ChildFund partnered with David Archuleta during his "My Kind of Christmas Tour" during December 2011.

A Season 7 American Idol runner-up, whose 2008 self-titled album went platinum, Archuleta's star continues to rise. His latest pop album, The Other Side of Down, captures two years' worth of introspection and reflection.