Grammy Award-winning musician Mike Farris performed April 7 at Emory & Henry as a benefit to a new residential program in Damascus that assists the children of women continuing in their recovery journey after treatment for substance misuse.
A practicing Christian, Farris often has used his music to tell his own story of addiction recovery. In 2002, he released his first solo album, “Goodnight Sun.” In 2007, his second solo album, ‘”Salvation in Lights” was released and received great acclaim.
In 2014 he was honored with the Grammy Award for Best Roots and Gospel Album. The award recognized his album “Shine for All the People.”
Farris formed the group Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies in 1990, which released three albums and sustained success on the U.S. rock charts during the following decade before breaking up. In 2022, the group reunited to perform in seven sold-out shows.
His April 7 concert at Emory & Henry benefitted the Sanctuary in Damascus. A program of Hands & Feet Ministry, the Sanctuary is a residential safe-haven that seeks to alleviate some of the needs in the already overtaxed foster care system by addressing the needs of children whose parents are dealing with addiction. The goal of the program is to prevent the removal of children from their families and to allow time for both the parenting adults and the children to be in environments of healing and care.
The community is showing great support to the efforts of Hands and Feet; many individuals, businesses, and ministries are helping to sponsor the concert, including novelist Barbara Kingsolver, ReVIDA Recovery, Highlands Community Services, and several local churches.
