On November 28, 2007, CMA nominated songwriter and singer, Monty Powell, music superstar Keith Urban, and jazz singer Anna Wilson will perform together in an intimate and original concert, establishing Atlanta as the launching pad for a new initiative in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

The concert, coined better start livin’, will allow the artists to share their vision of communicating a powerful message through an intimate “storytelling” performance, while raising funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association. The show will be the first time Urban and Powell have performed their co-written songs together on stage. Patron ticket holders will enjoy premium seating and an exclusive gala reception – called the Alzheimer’s Champions Party with the Stars - following the concert.

better start livin’ began when Monty Powell, Georgia native and award-winning Nashville songwriter, joined with the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter and the Alzheimer’s Society of Atlanta to create a new paradigm in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Like many others, Powell lost his father to early onset Alzheimer’s and now uses his talents to forward the fight against the disease. The vision for better start livin’ is to deconstruct the “big event” so that intimacy and engagement replace staging and theatrics, so that the message, rather than extravaganza, becomes the focal point.

“This vision very close to my heart,” says Powell. “Alzheimer’s is a thief. Music was the one priceless jewel that was overlooked in the heist of my father, so it is only fitting that it be the weapon that I have chosen in my own personal fight to help rid the world of this thief. Each of my songs is a gift, the gems passed on to me thru him, and now to others. better start livin’ will aid in spreading awareness and knowledge of the disease, and one day soon, we will defeat Alzheimer’s, forever.”

The initiative’s theme, better start livin’, illustrates the urgency of the mission to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. As Powell wrote in his #1 song performed by Keith Urban, “Days Go By,” “We think about tomorrow and then it slips away. We talk about forever but we’ve only got today...so you better start livin’ right now.” Each better start livin’ performance will create a “storytelling” ambience allowing listeners to focus on the message at hand. Most importantly, they will promote a call-to-action for audience members, encouraging them to become Champions and continue to raise Alzheimer’s awareness.

The first better start livin’ event was a special acoustic performance by Powell at the Biltmore Ballroom of Atlanta on April 19 to share this vision with Atlanta supporters and organizers. The project has now soared to new levels.

Patron tickets for November concert and the Champions Party with the Stars are $300.00 each and are available now by calling 404-728-1181, or through www.alz.org/georgia. Regular tickets of $100.00 and $65.00 each will be available to the public starting October 12 through Ticketmaster.com and Cobbenergycentre.com, with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, please visit www.alz.org/georgia or contact The Wyche Group at 404-233-4480.