I hope you are able to take some time and truly enjoy the season with the people who mean the most to you.  With that in mind, I want to say Thank You, everybody.  The last month has been life-changing for me.  That’s not an overstatement.  Writing the song Happy with Matt Everson began a series of events that culminated in our SAVE event at the Mall of America’s Hard Rock Café. The response to the song, the event, and, particularly, my interview with Jana Shortal on KARE 11’s Breaking the News, has been overwhelming.  I won’t pretend that it has been easy to admit to the world that I have issues with depression, but the positivity and camaraderie that has come from taking that chance has been life-affirming.  I did my very best to respond to every message, but I simply couldn’t.  So I wanted to take this moment to say Thank You.  And also to say to anyone who is struggling with The Darkness, please talk to people, keep searching until you find the right therapist, and, above all,  ALWAYS GIVE IT ONE MORE DAY.

GET HAPPY. AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HAWKEY 

BENEFITTING SAVE AND HARD ROCK HEALS 

Friday, Nov. 17 at Hard Rock Cafe Mall of America 

Bloomington, Minn. (Updated Nov. 3, 2017) --- On Friday, Nov. 17, Hard Rock Cafe Mall of America will host a “rocking” awareness and fundraising event featuring entertainment by popular singer/songwriter Chris Hawkey. Hawkey, who is also the producer for the KFAN Power Trip Morning Show and host on the Vikings Entertainment Network, is donating his time and talent for the event to help get the message out about suicide prevention.  

The motivation for the event was stirred by Chris Hawkey’s recent single, “Happy.” Inspired by the untimely passing of musical artists Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington, Hawkey co-wrote and recorded the song about his own struggles. 

“An acquaintance of mine mentioned that he didn't understand how someone who was rich and famous could be depressed,” says Hawkey. “I thought to myself, ‘This person doesn't understand depression.’ So, I sat down and wrote the song ‘Happy’ to some music that (co-writer) Matt Everson had given me earlier.” 

“It took a total of 17 minutes to write,” Hawkey continues. “It came out of me like a sigh. It is not a plea for help. It is an explanation. I have suffered from depression for most of my life. I don't know why. I'm an extremely fortunate man. But there are days that the darkness finds me just as it did Mr. Cornell and Mr. Bennington. Sadly, they were no longer able to fight for their sunshine. I hope that this song finds its way to people who need to hear it.” 

Proceeds will benefit both SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education and Hard Rock Heals. 

WHEN:     Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 

        6 p.m.             Doors open 

        6 –7:30 p.m.   Silent Auction 

        7 p.m.             Performance by Alex Kiel 

        7:30 p.m.        Announcements by SAVE representatives 

        9 – 9:30 p.m.  Chris Hawkey performance 

WHERE:    Hard Rock Café Mall of America 

        Located off Nickelodeon Universe, south entrance 

TICKETS:    General admission is free, but donations for the charities will gladly be accepted at the door. 

        VIP tickets are sold out. 

About SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education 

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US and the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-34 year olds in Minnesota. SAVE is the leading agency and only national nonprofit suicide prevention organization headquartered in Minnesota working to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reducing stigma associated with mental illness, and serving as a resource to those touched by suicide. SAVE.org. 

About Hard Rock Heals Foundation 

The Hard Rock Heals Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and oversees all philanthropic outreach for Hard Rock International. Music is energy; it stirs emotion, inspires, connects and restores. The Hard Rock Heals Foundation exists to improve lives through the power of music. Since its inception in 1971, Hard Rock International has brought people together through the power of music. We have developed partnerships with artists ranging from emerging to iconic in support of charitable efforts around the world. The Hard Rock Heals Foundation provides grants and assistance to individuals whose goal is to heal through the power of music. Partnerships with like-minded, music-centric organizations allow Hard Rock Heals Foundation the opportunity to improve lives and promote wellness. For more information, visit hardrockheals.com. 

Hard Rock International 

With venues in 73 countries, including 178 cafes, 24 hotels and 11 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company’s two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, Fl., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Chicago, Cancun, Ibiza, Las Vegas, and San Diego. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include Phnom Penh, Cairo, Wroclaw and Chengdu. New Hard Rock hotel, casino or hotel-casino projects include Atlanta, Atlantic City, Berlin, Budapest, London, Los Cabos, Maldives, New York City, Davos, Ottawa, Dalian and Haikou in China. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit hardrock.com

NEW Lyric Video for "HAPPY" 

"This song is dedicated to those of us who are fighting off the darkness. And to our loved ones who can't understand." - Chris Hawkey

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.TALK (8255); OR 
Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "TALK" to 741741.

My new song “Happy” is available for download on every platform today after being streamed for free on chrishawkey.com all day Sunday. The response to the song has been amazing. I received messages of support and kindness from, literally, all over the world. With this being National Suicide Prevention Week (9/10-9/16), all personal profits from download sales of the song will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for this entire week. I want the song to help emotionally and financially. So, until 11:59p on 09/16/17 when you buy the song, you will be helping those who are lost in the darkness.  @afspnational  AFSP   #StopSuicide 

Thank you for your help and support, 

Hawk

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. In recognition of that, we are streaming a new song via the player below for 24 hours. It's a tune that I wrote with Matt Everson called "Happy". The song has only existed for about a month and came about after both Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington died by suicide. An acquaintance of mine mentioned to me that he didn't understand how someone who was rich and famous could be depressed. I thought to myself, "this person doesn't understand depression." So I sat down that night and wrote the song "Happy" to some music that Matt had given me earlier in the day. It took a total of 17 minutes to write it. It came out of me like a sigh. It is not a plea for help. It is an explanation. I have suffered from depression for most of my life. I don't know why. I'm an extremely fortunate man. But there are days that the darkness finds me just as it did Mr. Cornell and Mr. Bennington. Sadly, they were no longer able to fight for their sunshine. I hope that this song finds its way to people who need to hear it. If that person is you, I hope the it helps you realize that you are not alone. I hope you always find a way to give the world another chance, even on your worst days. Life is a gift. You deserve to be happy and you can be. Given time, you WILL be.  Just keep breathing.  #WSPD

With Love, Hope and Understanding, 

Chris Hawkey

Lyrics:

HAPPY

I search for the sunlight 

Only find shade 

I stand in the spotlight 

Just wanna go away 

My smile is painted on 

My will Is nearly gone 

Can’t carry on for long 

Why am I lost? 

Why am I down? 

Why am I lonely in a crowd? 

How does the darkness always find me? 

Don’t know how to be… 

Happy 

I hear your questions 

I don’t have the answers 

If this is your dream life 

You can have it 

I know I’m broken 

Please can you fix me? 

Can anyone hear this song? 

Why am I lost 

Why am I down 

Why am I lonely in a crowd? 

How does the darkness always find me? 

Don’t wanna be… 

Don’t wanna be lost 

Don’t wanna be down 

Don’t wanna be lonely in a crowd 

Don’t want the darkness to come and find me… 

I wanna be Happy…Happy…Happy…Happy 

I search for the sunlight 

Only find shade 

I stand in the spotlight 

I just wanna go away…away… 

Why am I lost? 

Why am I down? 

Why am I lonely in a crowd? 

How does the darkness always find me? 

Don’t wanna be… 

Don’t wanna be lost

Don’t wanna be down

I wanna be normal

I don't know how

Don’t want the darkness to come and find me… 

I wanna be Happy