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David Fanning was in Nashville April 27 when the outbreak of tornadoes that spun across much of the South literally hit home.

Born and raised in northwest Alabama around Athens, Fanning, a musician, songwriter and producer, knew he couldn’t sit idly by as his family, friends and neighbors were hurting due to loss of life and property.

Fanning, known more recently for his work as a New Voice Entertainment producer for husband and wife duo Thompson Square, started to build what has been called an army of caring people in an effort to reach out to as many needy Alabamians as possible. The fundraiser, known as “Help Bama” was born.

“I was in Nashville when everything went down,” Fanning said. “A bunch of my friends are down here and I was sitting on the phone with mom and dad, but I had no idea how bad things really were.” Fanning traveled down a couple of days after everything happened and was overwhelmed by the devastation. “I decided to get everyone in Nashville working together to try to raise as much money as we possibly can,” he said.

The method is simple — locals helping locals through something as basic as T-shirt sales. Since Alabama was the place many of those involved with “Help Bama” call home, the group is able to go directly to the families and help to meet specific needs in person.  They want the mission to be a long-term effort. As many of the various major “players” leave the area, the group said their plans are to continue the road to recovery.

More than eight different T-shirts are already available to purchase on the website helpbama.com and represent the strength found in neighborhoods and communities across the state. Their statements include “Alabama Strong,” “We make us strong,” “Recover Alabama,” “Doin’ what I can,” “We make us heal,” and “Love My Sweet Home Alabama.” New designs will be added.

T-shirts range in size from extra small to extra, extra large and cost $25.

Fanning said it is a direct effort to “Help Bama” and to help raise awareness. One hundred percent of the cost will go directly to tornado victims. “We are looking for people who truly need help,” Fanning said.

He said that he feels national disasters such as the tornadoes are never publicized enough. “If people could actually come down here and see how bad everything is I think it would put a whole new spin on it,” he said. “That’s what made me want to get involved. I saw how bad it was and the people affected by it.” He added there is a lot of money being raised, but he is unsure if there will ever be enough to get everybody going.

“We are getting ready to give our first donation to a family,” Fanning said. “The hardest part about it is that there are so many. We want to help everyone. The more money we can raise, the more families we can help.”

Those who wish only to make a donation can do so on helpbama.com as well.

The T-shirts are also on sale at K&R Putt Putt located on U.S. 31 in Athens.

For more information about helpbama.com, contact Treva Fanning at 256-508-5964.

In Nashville

Fanning has never forgotten the place he calls home. Although, he has been busy as a producer with New Voice Entertainment made up of Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison and Rich Redmond, also known as Jason Aldean’s band, he still finds time to make his way back to Athens. “I always want to give back to Athens,” he said.

He said he feels fortunate to be a part of New Voice. “People ask what makes it work,” he said. “It is really just a friendship thing. We all work well together.”

Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” written by Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy climbed the Billboard’s country singles chart hitting No. 1 in early spring and has been a hit with fans since its release last summer. Thompson Square just released their new single “I Got You” to radio last week.

The duo was also nominated for the 2011 CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Video of the Year.

Fanning admitted he has been busy. He joked he has his hands in a number of projects behind the scenes. “Things have changed a little bit,” he said. He has been on the road with Thompson Square and Jason Aldean and continues to work on a number of new projects, which include producing songs for artists such as Blake Wise and Kristy Lee Cook under Broken Bow Records. The production team is also working with Parmalee, a Southern country rock band based out of Greenville, N.C. and Lindsay Ell, an acoustic/pop/rock artist from Canada.  “We work with lots of up and coming artists,” Fanning said. “We are always looking for talent.”

When it comes to his own music, Fanning said he has obviously taken a few years off to get New Voice Entertainment off the ground, but that he plans to have some new things out later this year.

To find out more about David Fanning and New Voice Entertainment, visit www.newvoiceentertainment.com.