The Band Perry and the Double Dog Dare challenge

Last night I had what I would call a once in a life-time opportunity. A live phone interview with Grammy-Nominated siblings, Neil, Reid and Kimberly Perry who comprise The Band Perry.

The interview was my opportunity to learn about a new promotion that they are involved with.

Suffice to say, the small-town "dog writer" did not ever expect to see herself on the phone with a band that is lighting up the country music charts.

Just a bit about the band and I promise to move forward to the new promotion. The Band Perry is currently sporting a Grammy Nomination for “Best Country Song” as well as a nomination for “Top New Artist” for the 2011 ACM awards, and they are about to embark on a tour with mega-star, Tim McGraw.

In otherwords, they are hot, hot, hot right now.

Now, on to the new promotion. The Band Perry was asked to be the face of a new Purina Dog Chow campaign. The campaign benefits the canine community, and being dog-lovers themselves, they were excited to take part.

A bit about the Double-Dog Dare Campaign from Heather Gettys, Purina Dog Cow Senior Brand Manager,

“From now until Monday, Feb. 28, we are encouraging dog lovers to visit www.daredogchow.com and submit a dare of their choice.” 

“It could be anything from building the ultimate dog house to refurbishing a neighborhood animal shelter to organizing a dog walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. If you ever thought, ‘I wish Dog Chow would …’ here’s your opportunity to see if your idea will come to life.”

Purina® Dog Chow® Brand Dog Food will execute three dares – one per month in March, April and May – while awarding each of the three Grand Prize Winners $5,000 and a year’s supply of Purina® Dog Chow® Brand Dog Food, as well as a two year’s supply of Purina® Dog Chow® Brand Dog Food for one dog donated to a local animal shelter in each of the Grand Prize Winners’ communities.

I asked the Band Perry if they had a special "dare" that they would love to see executed and they seemed particularly enamored with the idea of an organized dog walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Kimberly even alluded to the band showing up if it did in fact take place.

The siblings are dog-lovers and dog owners. They have four dogs - Dakota and Scout - Great Pyrenees, and Addie and Moses - Welsh Corgis. The dogs are cared for by the siblings' dad when they are on the road.

Despite being crazy busy with live appearances, award shows and studio time, the trio wanted to participate in a promotion that is going to give back to the community.

So now the volley is to you readers. Put on your creative thinking caps and send in your dares. I've written about some tired, inadequate shelters that could use an extreme make-over, as well as some incredible rescue organizations that could benefit from a helping hand.

Perhaps Purina could create a huge Marathon (and 1/2 marathon) to support spay and neuter programs in a certain region. Or think bigger - a West Coast marathon and an East Coast marathon. Something that could take on a life of its own and become an annual tradition. I know a few runners that would happily take part.

But this isn't about me and my ideas - it is about what the dog-community wants to see. So get busy!

Want to catch The Band Perry yourself? Tune in toThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno (Jan. 28) & The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Jan. 31).

Send me an email at Eims1@live.com with some of your Double Dare ideas (I won't be submitting them myself, so if you want to enter, be sure to go to the actual Double Dog Dare website).

I want to see them, and I have a special gift from The Band Perry that I will send out to one lucky winner. The winner will be selected on 1/31/11.

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Story ideas can be shared at Eims1@live.com.

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