Earth Mama to Perform at Tri-County Technical College February 4

CONTACT: DR. SHARON MILLER, EXT. 2228

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/28/2002

PENDLETON --- Joyce Johnson Rouse, a/k/a/ Earth Mama, will bring her expertise in environmental science to Tri-County Technical College in the form of two free musical performances February 4.

Singer, songwriter and actress Rouse will perform at 10:10 a.m. for students and again at 6:30 p.m. for the general public. Both performances, which are free, will be held in Oconee Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the College's Arts and Sciences Division's Enrichment Committee and the Sustainable Universities Initiative (SUI). Last year SUI awarded Tri-County an $8,800 grant to increase environmental awareness through initiatives that will impact the College's students, faculty and staff.

Several years ago Rouse began combining her music, humor and entertainment gifts with her concern for the Earth. She is the creator, writer and performer of the Earth Mama music projects.

Original music by Rouse has been used extensively in educational venues and by international environmental and peace organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Web of Life Audio.

She's been a Nashville songwriter and performer for more than a decade and has had her songs used as theme songs for a number of events, including the national celebration of the 75th anniversary of women's suffrage, where her song, "Standing On The Shoulders," premiered at official ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

She was a finalist for the Nashville Music Award for Outstanding Children's Music recording of the album Earth Mama in 1996.

Earth Mama has been a featured performer with the Nashville Songwriters Association International annual Tin Pan South concerts, hosted children's shows at The Bluebird Cafe, opened Nashville's annual Italian Street Fair and performed her Los Angeles premier at the 7th Annual Eco Expo.

She says her greatest accomplishment is "helping to raise consciousness for a sustainable and healthy future for the planet and all living things.

For more information, e-mail Dr. Sharon Miller at smiller@tctc.edu or call her at Ext. 2228 at one of these numbers: Anderson County, 225-2250; Oconee County -- 882-4412; Pickens County -- 859-7033; or Clemson/Anderson/Pendleton -- 646-8361. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled should call TDD/VOICE 1-800-735-2905.
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