Get ready to feel good. That's the mantra for Northwest songwriter Dean Backholm. He certainly has every reason to feel good these days. The national March of Dimes announced it has selected his single "Mother and Child" for a debut fundraiser called "Stork Tunes." Just in time for Mother's Day, proceeds from the sale of the new CD will fund the nonprofit's efforts to give every baby a healthy start in life. The song "Mother and Child" was originally written by Backholm for his own son, but struck a chord with industry insiders and the March of Dimes.


"Stork Tunes helps us achieve two critical goals, namely providing useful resources for mothers and pregnant women, and raising money for research and other programs," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, national president of the March of Dimes. "We are honored and grateful that these high-level artists are willing to donate their music to our cause."


The complete line up for the Stork Tunes CD is:

* Celine Dion - A Mother's Prayer
* Dixie Chicks - Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)
* Jessica Andrews - I Wish for You
* The Boys Choir of Harlem - Children of the World
* Katrina Carlson - Mother
* Norah Jones - Sunrise
* Dean Backholm - Mother & Child
* Kenny Loggins - Rainbow Connection
* Billy Joel - Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)
* Sinead O'Connor - All Babies
* Wynonna Judd - Always Will
* Raffi - May There Always be Sunshine



"Mother and Child" is from Backholm's first CD, "A Question for You." Music and Media International (MMI) of Los Angeles recently signed a national publishing contract picking up all 11 tracks from that CD. Also, his single "Turn Off the Moon," was a semi-finalist in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition, one of the largest contests in the industry. Global Graffiti, an LA-based international publishing company, is also pitching that song to label companies and movie and television industry executives.