FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christa Mann

Manager of Media Relations

(678) 298-4715

cmann@theatlantabeat.com

KENNESAW, GA (July 9, 2010) –The Atlanta Beat Women’s Professional Soccer team will host Faith and Family Night presented by Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, July 21 as the Beat face the Chicago Red Stars at 7:30 P.M. before a live post-game concert at KSU Soccer Stadium.

The event, which benefits Cobb County’s own MUST Ministries, features Christian recording artists House of Thomas and Karyn Williams.

“We are excited to host Faith and Family Night with Chick-fil-A, 104.7 The Fish and Must Ministries,” said Atlanta Beat General Manager Shawn McGee.   “It is going to be a great evening of soccer, fellowship and music.”

The event kicks-off with exciting WPS action in the fourth and final meeting between the Beat and Red Stars.  Immediately following the match, Beat midfielder and Olympic Gold Medalist, Tobin Heath will share her personal testimony as fans prepare for a historic postgame event.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the first post-game concert at KSU Soccer Stadium as two local artists take the stage.  For tickets call 678.298.4780 or visit TheAtlantaBeat.com.

A portion of the proceeds will go directly to MUST Ministries which is a faith-based, 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing services to persons and families in crisis while maintaining their dignity.

About the Performing Artists

House of Thomas, an Atlanta based Christian Rock group, released their first full length album entitled “Without a Doubt!” in 2006.  The album features a uniquely pervasive pop-rock sound with diverse influences ranging from U2 and Bon Jovi, to the Newsboys, Collective Soul, and Keith Urban. With a combination of flowing guitar riffs and catchy vocal hooks, House of Thomas carries a splash of vibrancy in their sound.

Since, The group has taken on immense popularity and continues to perform at church worship services, youth functions, schools, festivals, and more. They have sold out concerts, swarmed through music competitions and showcases, and continue to bring the gospel of Jesus to audiences through their musical gifts.

Also performing on this special night is Karyn Williams, a dynamic woman with a powerful life story.  Williams is the eldest daughter of Orlando Magic Senior Vice President, Pat Williams and in the summer of 2007, Karyn felt a calling on her life to use her music to share her faith.

With God’s leading and Williams’ big dreams and gut wrenching determination, she packed her car and headed to Nashville to begin her musical journey. Little did she know that within two years, her songs would catch the attention of Nashville’s A-list, and she would appear on a major record project with Dolly Parton, Charley Pride and Vince Gill. This would lead to her signing a publishing deal with Brentwood Benson Music. More doors would open and she would soon have the opportunity to be featured at events alongside David Foster, Reba McEntire, Josh Groban, Jordin Sparks, Al Roker and Sean & Lee Anne Tuohy (Blindside).

Karyn currently makes her home in Nashville and is married to award winning songwriter Brian White.

About the Atlanta Beat
The Atlanta Beat joins Women’s Professional Soccer as one of two expansion teams in the 2010 season.   Atlanta entrepreneur Fitz Johnson secured the rights to the Atlanta team in September 2008 before naming Shawn McGee as General Manager and Gareth O’Sullivan as Head Coach in the summer of the following year.  On June 18, 2009, the Atlanta Beat officially became the ninth franchise in WPS as Johnson, McGee, WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin unveiled the team name, logo and colors.  The Beat acquired its first official players through the 2009 WPS Expansion Draft and 2009 International Draft in mid-September before completing its roster with the 2010 WPS Draft in January. Atlanta’s new team takes on the same name as the market’s former Women’s United Soccer Association club which was the only WUSA team to reach the playoffs in every season. The Beat’s colors are Ferrari Red, Championship Gold, and Black.

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)
Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with seven teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first-ever WPS Champions. In 2010, seven teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including five original WPS teams – Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) and Washington Freedom – and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence. The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.

About Well Star

WellStar Health System is the official jersey sponsor and Healthcare provider for the Atlanta Beat’s inaugural season.  WellStar, a not-for-profit health system, includes Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals; WellStar Physicians Group; Urgent Care Centers; Health Place; Homecare; Hospice; Atherton Place; Paulding Nursing Center; and WellStar Foundation. For more information, call 770-956-STAR or visitwww.wellstar.org.

WHAT IS AMERICA
Written by: Karyn Williams, Brian White, Tony Wood
Excerpt from the project THIS IS MY AMERICA, “Wave On Old Glory, Wave On”
www.thisismyamerica.com

What is America? We began as an idea that first whispered in the hearts and minds of a weary and oppressed people, who bravely dared to imagine a place where all men were created equal. A place where everyone had the same right—to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. She has not only survived, but thrived, to become a beacon of light to all nations. America—she is a tower of strength, whose foundation has been tested to the very core. She is a sacred brotherhood of brave souls who have stood firm to defend her freedom. She has seen overwhelming joy and experienced long nights of silent grief. But no matter what she has faced, she remains a people united by a common thread of reverence and devotion, proud of their heritage and ever hopeful about the future. America—we are stronger from our trials, steadfast through our adversities and unwavering in our resolve to forever be the land of the free. What is America? America is you, it’s me, it’s every dreamer, every adventurer, every man woman and child who stand together with the firm belief that all who walk our rich landscapes will find safety in the home of the brave. America—we will proudly stand together each time we see those colors boldly riding the winds of freedom. Under those thirteen broad stripes and fifty bright stars. We will pledge anew our allegiance to this—the flag of OUR United States of America.

I’ve never liked the word “lucky”. In my opinion, there is no such thing as luck. The Lord gives a different and unique life to every one of us, a path that we are meant to walk until we ultimately get to meet Him face to face. But we, as humans, look around at the lives of everyone around us and say, “Ooooh, I like their life better. They have a bigger house, they drive a better car.” And then we shrug and say, “Well, they’re just luckier than I am”. Nope, I don’t agree with that.

I’ve always had a great relationship with my dad. He’s the neatest guy I’ve ever met in my entire life. Okay, yes…I’m a little bias because he’s my dad. But if I step back and just look at his life, his career, his work ethic, his family, his accomplishments, I still say—as a spectator of his life—that he’s the neatest guy I’ve ever met!

Recently a friend of mine said to me, “Well you’re just lucky, because you had a great dad.” That statement bugged me a little. Yes, I do have a great dad, but that doesn’t mean for a second that I haven’t had my share of struggles. As if having a “great dad” erases all pain in life and paves the way for me to skip down the yellow brick road laughing and giggling all the way to the Land of Oz. Nope—I can assure you that having a great dad has not done that for me. I’ve had to battle my way through life just like everyone else. Life is hard; sometimes things don’t go the way I think they should. In fact—that happens more times than not! But I can’t look around at everyone I know and complain that they’re just “lucky” and that’s why they are happier than me. Everyone has struggles in their lives every day that they don’t show, we can’t for a second assume that our friends are just “lucky” and that’s why they have a better life than we do.

I like to look at life as a game of solitaire—you know, the card game you played when you were a kid. We are each dealt a particular hand of cards, and they’re different for everyone. It’s up to us to play those cards the best we possibly can in order to win that hand. Sometimes in solitaire, you get stuck. You try to move the cards around in order to open up a play, but you just can’t go anywhere. So what do you do? You gather up your cards, shuffle them around and start over! No big deal. God’s grace allows for us to start over—isn’t that great news?! He welcomes us back into the fold and says, “Here, let me help you get back on your feet.” Praise the Lord for that! You see, God isn’t sitting up in heaven looking down at us saying, “Oh well…that’s just your luck…you were destined to be miserable. Too bad for you.” Our days are not determined by “lady luck”. No, we have an almighty God who is gently guiding our growing lives, holding our hand every step of the way.

Jeremiah 29:11—you’ve heard it before—“’For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE!’” So here’s my challenge today—I dare you to give up on finding “luck”, and instead learn to enjoy the life He created you to live for. Follow His lead, He’ll show you the way—I promise.

Hi everyone,

My first single, “Rejoice” has released to Christian radio! It may take a couple of weeks before you would hear it on your local station, but when you do, please call and thank them for them for playing it! And if you don’t hear it, call and ask them to play it!!

“Rejoice” is available for download now on iTunes. Please go and download the song (best .99 cents you’ll ever spend!) and when you do, please take a minute to write a review. The more reviews, the higher the rating, the more exposure iTunes will give the song!!!

Thanks for helping me spread the word, I will keep everyone up to date on radio stops, concert dates coming up, etc… If I’m in your area, please come out. I would love the opportunity to meet you!

Here’s believing that “Rejoice” will be an encouragement to many….

- Karyn

I am so excited to announce that I will be releasing a radio single to Christian radio next month!!!!

Sometimes the best things in life are not planned….and that is the case with this song. It is a song called, “Rejoice” and we wrote it as a worship song - something to be done in churches. I never, ever thought it would be a song I could record as an artist. But through a series of events….my husband said to me one day, “I think Rejoice needs to be your first single.” I was shocked, but I completely trust his judgement because of his years of experience in this crazy thing we call the music industry — so, a few weeks later we went into the studio to track the song!

It has turned out absolutely AMAZING……better than I ever dreamed! Chris Eaton (who wrote “Breath of Heaven”) is singing background vocals, and it was produced by Brian White & Barry Weeks…..both award winning songwriters & producers! Wow — I’d say I’m in good hands!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of the support, prayers and sweet messages over the last few months. The doors God has opened have blown my mind….and it’s going to be an exciting Summer & Fall. I will keep you posted on exactly when the song will go to radio, and also tour dates coming up…..

DARE TO LIVE!!!
-Karyn