Darius Rucker, Lady A + More Lend Voices to MDA Telethon

The 2011 MDA Telethon has teamed up with the Grand Ole Opry to bring some of your favorite stars to the small screen this Labor Day weekend. The annual broadcast is set to air Sunday, September 4 from 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM in all time zones, and will include Opry performances by Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker, who duets with a very special, 12-year-old singing partner.

"I'm excited for everyone to hear and see the special duet version of 'Come Back Song' featuring Miss Abbey Umali, MDA's National Goodwill Ambassador," says Darius. "Abbey has musical talents well beyond her years, and I hope her performance inspires you to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association fight progressive muscle diseases. For me, I'm just happy to help so many deserving kids like Abbey.''

The telethon has Martina thanking God for her three healthy daughters. "I am so grateful for our many blessings," says the country songbird. "My being part of the Telethon is important to me because every mother and every child deserve to share the brightest possible futures. Happily, thanks to generous public support, MDA is making real progress in the fight against muscular dystrophy. If you tune in Sunday, I know you'll be inspired to help MDA do even more.''

The non-profit organization certainly does much more than just fight muscular dystrophy through research and treatment. It also helps families affected by MD and funds summer camps for kids battling the disease, among many other services.

The 2011 MDA Telethon will broadcast on 150 TV stations nationwide and stream worldwide on the internet at mda.org. Some of the biggest names in music are scheduled to appear, including Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Smokey Robinson, Celine Dion, Richie Sambora, Jon Secada and Billy Ray Cyrus, who will perform his new single on the telethon.

"Americans always dig a little deeper for friends and neighbors in need,'' says Billy Ray. "I am excited to be performing on the MDA Labor Day Telethon this year and asking my great fans to join me. Let's rock the house together this Sunday night, to make a difference in the fight against muscle diseases."