Chonda Pierce, Heather Land, and Karyn Williams: Chonda Palooza

Here’s the short version: Born in Kentucky. Lived in South Carolina until I was 15. Moved to middle Tennessee - been here ever since! My daughter, Chera is married to Craig. And my son, Zach - just turned 19! I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years. Been doing this comedy thing for about 15 years or so - I started down this road because of "Cousin Minnie Pearl." I gotta a bunch of gold videos, one Platinum DVD, written a bunch of books, got a bus and I tour the country. Hummm... think I’ll keep going and see where this whole thing leads me! Chonda has authored six books with most recent being, Laughing In the Dark (Simon&Schuster/Howard) and has ranked among Pollstar's top-selling live performers. Her ninth comedy DVD, "Did I Say That Out Loud," released April 6, 2010. Pierce's DVDs are consistently strong sellers both on tour and in retail with SIX titles having been certified gold, signifying sales of more than 50,000 units and THREE titles certified platinum, signifying sales of more than 100,000 units. She's a frequent guest on the famed Grand Ole Opry and has served as host of the Inspirational Country Music Awards and Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards. She received THREE Daytime Emmy nominations for her work co-hosting "Aspiring Women," a talk show on the Total Living Network and her first television special, "This Ain't Prettyville!" appeared on CMT (Country Music Television) nationwide. Her comedy is regularly featured on XM and Sirius satellite radio.

Her Faith - OBVIOUS Her Strength – MOTIVATING Her Commitment - UNSHAKEABLE Her smile – JUST PLAIN INFECTIOUS A dynamic woman with a powerful life story, Karyn Williams is the eldest daughter of Orlando Magic Senior Vice President, Pat Williams. Her international family includes brothers and sisters adopted from all over the world. At the age of four years old, she waited at the airport as two little Korean sisters were carried off of an airplane and into the arms of the waiting Williams family. It was the first of seven different adoption experiences in which fourteen children from all over the world would call themselves her brothers and sisters. Eight of them are adopted through Holt International, where Karyn is now an artist partner. In the summer of 2007, Karyn felt a calling on her life to use her music to share her faith. With Gods leading, 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). In the spring of 2009 Karyn found herself in the studio working on her first radio single, “Rejoice” written & co-produced with Brian White (13 #1 CCM songs) and Barry Weeks (producer of Avalon’s latest project). A song true to Karyn’s heart and faith, “Rejoice” shares the message that in all things God is in control and we can rejoice in His faithfulness. Released in the summer of 2010 as the lead single, her first full-length studio album will follow in the fall. Firmly committed to giving back, Karyn is the co-founder of WOAMTEC’s Courage to Dream Foundation, an organization that came to life because of the lyrics to one of her songs. The CTD Foundation is a group of women who are committed to offering hope through practical opportunities, and a chance for young women to get their feet under them as they build their lives on “The Rock”. This former Miss University of Florida and graduate of UF is a nine-time marathon finisher as well as a first time author. Karyn’s book, The Takeaway co-authored with her dad released in 2009 and has taken the country by storm. She has been featured on The 700 Club, Fox & Friends, Good Morning America Radio, The Daily Buzz, TBN, Confident Women Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping and ESPN Radio. Karyn currently makes her home in Nashville and is married to award winning songwriter Brian White, best known for penning 13 #1 gospel songs, as well as the multi-week #1 country hit “Watching You”, recorded by Rodney Atkins.