Ray Ray Denton...Our Inspiration
Artists Hospital Visits And Events Program
Music Therapy Library Program
"Ray Ray Denton" Music Hotlines Program
"Al Kendrick" Special Exception Program

Ray Ray Denton...Our Inspiration (Top)

Charles "Chuck" William Morton, Jr. the Founder and President of THE MAGIC OF MUSIC, was touched by an extremely moving experience...his friendship with his cousin Ray Ray Denton. Ray Ray was very special and his courage was instrumental in the creation of THE MAGIC OF MUSIC. Ray Ray was only eight years old in 1977 and had contracted leukemia, a terrible disease that would take his young life a year later.

But that is just part of the story. While in a state of remission, one of Ray Ray's friends brought him a poster and the record from the motion picture musical soundtrack, "Grease"-his favorite! Everyday when he was alone in his room, his mother said he would listen to that record and look up at the poster on his wall, and she would see a smile on her son's face. During his chemotherapy treatments, "Wolfman Jack" came to see and visit Ray Ray at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. By creating these special moments through this simple gift and gesture, his last days were brightened, making them more enjoyable and bearable.

Today Ray Ray's spirit and legacy is evident each day in the important work of THE MAGIC OF MUSIC as we continue to provide a little sunshine for deserving children like him. THE MAGIC OF MUSIC touched his life, so we remember and honor him in the crest of our logo.

Tina Turner comforts 8 year old brain tumor patient Temika Sheppard (hairband) and her little sister, with mom and grandmother on either side.	Shania Twain with 6-year old cystic fibrosis patient Kelsi Robinson.

Artists Hospital Visits And Events Program (Top)

Recording artists volunteer their time to make goodwill tours and visit with patients at Children's Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses or participate in special events outside of the hospitals. THE MAGIC OF MUSIC in conjunction with the music industry sponsor these visits with music, posters, and photographs of the artists for gifts to the patients and their families. The artists on occasion will perform and make themselves available for pictures, and they also provide autographs to the patients and their families for keepsakes.

Artists at Fan Fair visiting children who are being treated for brain tumors and cancer. The artists pictured from left to right with the kids are: Sara Evans, Joe Diffie, and Faith Hill.

Artists performing and visiting at Children's Hospitals. The artists pictured from left to right with the kids are: David Holt, Pam Tillis, Amy and Michael McDonald (of the Doobie Brothers), and David Pack from Ambrosia.

Music Therapy Library Program (Top)

Patient Traci Butler with Music Therapist Perin Isaac-New Orleans Children's Hospital.

Bone marrow transplant patient Josh Bower hanging out backstage with members of 3rd Eye Blind.	Robbie Beck (center), cancer patient, and friend visit with Wynton Marsalis.

"Ray Ray Denton" Music Hotlines Program (Top)

Gloria Estefan with Elizabeth Portillo a cystic fibrosis patient who has since passed away.

Reba McEntire with Justin who is paraplegic.

Named in honor of our poster child Ray Ray Denton, this program gives critically/terminally ill and handicapped children the option to have a Child-Life Director, Social Worker, Therapist, Nurse or Doctor submit a "Music Dream Form" to request specific music related items. The form is provided upon request from an organization that meets the criteria of being a support group for these individuals. Music requests can be in the form of a compact disc, poster, video or concert tickets of their favorite recording artist. We also decorate children's hospital rooms with posters and music through this program. At times permitting actual artist participation can occur. This can possibly happen through a phone call and/or autograph from the recording artist and/or even meeting them in person. Two weeks notice is required to properly arrange any kind of artist participation. All requests must be made on the submitting group's or hospital's letterhead.

"Al Kendrick" Special Exception Program (Top)

Al Kendrick

Alan Jackson visiting with 71-year old cancer patient Helen Vincent.

This program is identical to the Ray Ray Denton Music Hotlines Program, but is intended for adults age 18 and over. Please follow the same guidelines. Al Kendrick was a special friend who was an integral part of the organization from its inception. Al has since passed away, but we will always fondly cherish his memory and contributions through this program.

A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

We hope you enjoyed and learned from this informational web site. In the future, we hope to add other features. But for now, please accept this for what it is, an introduction to our mission to help these precious children, adults, and their families.

For more information please write to the following address:

THE MAGIC OF MUSIC
P.O. Box 263
Kernersville, NC 27285-0263

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