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Daron Norwood - Keep It Straight USA

About Me


In 1997 Daron Norwood began speaking in schools across Texas. His program, "Keep It Straight", has been designed to warn students of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and also educate them on the effects of bullying and violence. The program lasts one hour. The first half Daron sings and entertains the audience. He uses this time to get to know the students, break any barriers and gain the trust of the audience. The second half is dedicated to helping the students realize the dangers that they will be faced with and the consequences of making wrong decisions when faced with danger. Daron becomes someone the children can relate to and because of this he becomes a part of their environment. "I can relate to them because I've been to the bottom... addicted to both drugs and alcohol," Daron states.
"The thing I kept hearing was, be real, be honest and give it to us straight. If you drink and drive, you can kill yourself and others. If you do drugs, you can become addicted." When asked about the effectiveness of this program, he will share countless stories of young lives that have been changed. "The only way not to be successful is to do nothing at all," Daron says. "If I do a program and only change one life, then the program was successful."
To date, Keep It Straight has been seen by 650,000 students in the past 10 years and that number is growing. No one knows exactly how big this powerful program will get but Daron and his supporters have their sights set high. "I just want to keep changing lives for the better. Keep It Straight is more than just a phrase, it is a lifestyle. I want to share it with everyone in this great nation."

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Music:

Member Since: 13/10/2006
Band Website: http://www.keepitstraightusa.com
Band Members: Daron Norwood ("More Than The Music" Reality TV Show, Episode 2)
Keep It Straight - Episode 2

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Influences: Being naturally talented and a gifted musician, it was clear Daron Norwood had a future in music. A native of Texas and born the son of a Baptist preacher, Daron joined his family to sing Gospel music at a very young age. After three family albums, Daron knew his life would involve music. At ten years old Daron learned his first three chords on the piano, bass, and guitar while enjoying the sounds of country and Gospel music. Daron, his father and brother formed The Norwood Family Band and Daron wrote his first song at the age of ten called "My Song." It was the title cut of the group's first album. Between the ages of 10 and 13, they recorded three projects. They presented their music with the same high energy that has stayed with Daron today.

The biggest change was the divorce of his parents after twenty years of marriage. Seeing this happen to the biggest Christian role models in his life was devastating. Daron began to question God. In his search for answers and acceptance in the world, he turned to drugs and alcohol.

Encouraged by his grandfather, at the age of nineteen, he left Texas and headed for Music City , USA to follow his dreams. He spent the better part of the first three years living out of his truck or staying at friend's houses. He recorded two songs shortly after moving and was told to go back to Texas . They said his voice would never work in country music.

After several years of hard work and determination, his talent was recognized and he was signed by producer James Stroud to Giant Records. Daron's first single and top twenty hit, "If It Wasn't For Her, I Wouldn't Have You." was voted by Billboard Magazine as the most requested and replayed song of 1994. His second release "Cowboys Don't Cry" was a top 20 hit and his release "My Girl Friday," paid tribute to fathers who only see their daughters on the weekend. The hit song, "Bad Dog No Biscuit," left the country howling for more. Daron also co-wrote and recorded the song "Little Boy Lost" for a Keith Whitley tribute album, which sold over a million records.

Daron has shared the stage with Travis Tritt, Alabama, Lorie Morgan, Trick Pony, Diamond Rio, Billy Ray Cyrus and country legend Merle Haggard, just to name a few. Daron, remembering his life during this time said, "My life looked wonderful on the outside but I was troubled on the inside because of years of alcohol and drug abuse that often go hand in hand with success."

"During this time God sent Kim Cawthon to me" he said, "She loved me for who I was, not what I had become. One night she simply said, It's either quit or die! You have God, you have me and my family, and your family to live for! Realizing she was right, on that very night, November 5, 1995 , I cried out to Jesus. He was there with open arms to comfort me with his love. I realized at that moment, I was the very reason he died. For the first time in years I felt safe and at peace."

Daron and Kim were married on November 22, 1997 . He proudly said, "She is my best friend. I wouldn't be me without her."

Daron and Kim currently live near the sandy beaches of Florida . In March of 2004, they were blessed by the birth of their miracle child Delayney Jayde Norwood. Daron's oldest daughter Krista attends Troy University.

Daron's musical wheels are still spinning at full speed. In 2002, with the help of his management, he released, "In God We Trust;" a song that swept the nation by storm. Co-written with his wife Kim, the song addresses the controversy of the Pledge of Allegiance in public school. Along with receiving the Song of the Year Award by the Christian Country Music Association, "In God We Trust," has been embraced by the United States military and has been enjoyed by troops all over the world. Daron has just finished a 13 song CD entitled “There's Still Hope” which contains the afore mentioned hit “In God We Trust” and a newly updated version of Daron's 1994 Country hit, “If It Wasn't For Her (I Wouldn't Have You). The new CD collection also contains music utilized in the “Keep It Straight” program including covers of “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, and a updated rockin' version of the southern rock classic Sweet Home Alabama.
Record Label: KIS Entertainment Group
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

UPDATE

MCN Media & Marketing38 Music Square East, FL 2 " Nashville, TN 37203Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media:NOTICE:In regard to the alleged reports of an incident that took place betweenDaron Norwood a...
Posted by on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:36:00 GMT

READY TO ROCK!!!!

Hey ya'll!!!!!!!!!!! Just wanted all you in on the latest and greatest News!! We have added 2 New Huge Video Screens to the program.  Its gonna Rock YOUR World when you see how much it adds to th...
Posted by on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:44:00 GMT

Texas Rocks!!

Hey ya'll!!  What a Terrific Texas Tour!! Kids in Texas help me set a new record of 14 program performances in 6 days. Man, I'm tired but to know we laid it on the line with the truth about Life ...
Posted by on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:22:00 GMT

Very Tragic News

      I wanted to be sure that all of you close to the Norwood's were made aware of tragic loss to their family.  Daron's mother Margaret Wiseman died very unexpectedly ...
Posted by on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:14:00 GMT

Latest Update

Hi to all,   We have just finished up an exciting and eventful last 3 months. We have visited 35 schools and touched hundreds of lives in this short period of time. Some of the most recent s...
Posted by on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:58:00 GMT

Touring Update

Hey all, I'll be touring at about 20 high schools this month!If I'm not coming to your school, ask your principal or guidance counselor to email: [email protected] ...
Posted by on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:03:00 GMT

A new baby sister for Delayney!

We are so excited to welcome a new baby sister for Delayney!  Her name is Roxy Parker Norwood and she arrived on August 30, 2007.  Mom, baby, big sister Delayney, and Dad are all doing ...
Posted by on Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:25:00 GMT

Daron Norwood More Than The Music Episode .2 and New CD For Sale!!!

Hey Friends...I hope this blog finds you guys enjoying the best of the holiday season. I wanted to let you know that the second episode of our reality TV series, "More Than The Music" is up and runnin...
Posted by on Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:20:00 GMT

Keep It Straight/Daron Norwood Update

Hey Friends..Just a quick thank you to all of you who have sent friend requests. We are trying to answer them and add you as fast as we can. This past week has been awesome and your response to our sh...
Posted by on Mon, 23 Oct 2006 18:46:00 GMT