Carrie Underwood has teamed up with rock band Papa Roach to help shine a light on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The Academy of Country Music winner and Grammy-nominated band will release a new version of Papa Roach's “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)” on Friday, August 2.
“We were humbled that Carrie was open to our mission, and hearing the power of Carrie's voice on that recording, we were thrilled,” said Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix. “Not only is her vocal ability unmatched, but the impact of her voice brings new meaning to our cause and will help people around the world. It's an honor to have a 'Rock Star' bring this piece to life with us.”
“I'm such a huge fan of Jacoby and Papa Roach and I was honored to be invited to record 'Leave a Light On' with them,” Underwood added. “It's a beautiful song and the message behind it and the mission band to shine a light on suicide prevention and mental health awareness has never been more important.”
The song was recorded in Nashville, and both artists' royalties from the track will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The publication also raises awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States and Canada.
Papa Roach first performed “Leave a Light On” in concert last year with Shinedown and Spiritbox, and in each city, it was preceded by a video PSA delivered by Shaddix, who also pledged to donate to AFSP on behalf of those in attendance each city. , which resulted in a donation of $155,000 at the end of the tour.
To further promote support for AFSP, the band renamed the song “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)” to correspond with AFSP's “Talk Away the Dark” campaign. The song spent three weeks at the top Advertising signof the Rock Airplay chart in February and reached No. 11 on the Alternative Airplay chart. To date, the band's efforts have raised more than $250,000 for AFSP.
“Papa Roach's 'Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)' has tapped into a cultural moment where people are willing and ready for the song's message: that we all go through hard times and that we can all be there for each other,” said American Foundation for Suicide Prevention CEO Bob Gebbia. “We want to thank Carrie Underwood for working with Papa Roach to record this new, inspiring duet version, which will reach even more fans and connect them with AFSP's Talk Away the Dark campaign. We are also incredibly grateful to Papa Roach and Carrie Underwood for their commitment to providing those struggling with mental health information and resources that can help. These amazing artists educate the public about the importance of looking after our mental health and generously support AFSP's mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”
Throughout her career, Underwood regularly dabbled in the rock arena, including covers of songs such as Guns N' Roses' “Sweet Child o' Mine” and “Paradise City,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett and INXS “Never Parting Us.” She also teamed up with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler during the 2011 ACM Awards to perform a mashup of her own “Undo It” and Aerosmith's “Walk This Way”.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 or visit Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website free, confidential emotional support and resources 24/7.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/carrie-underwood-papa-roach-collab-suicide-prevention-1235743865/
