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Join Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) as we highlight the Carry Forward Award® winners at the Carry Forward Awards celebration and fundraiser.
Samantha Harris
A seasoned entertainment news journalist and two-time Emmy-nominated TV personality, Samantha Harris will soon be seen as host of NBC’s newest reality competition show Stars Earn Stripes, from Executive Producers Mark Burnett (Survivor), Dick Wolf (Law & Order), and David Hurwitz (Fear Factor). Filmed unlike any television show to ever hit the small screen, this fierce, entertaining and emotionally charged new competition honors America's armed forces, as eight celebrities will be challenged to execute complicated missions inspired by real military exercises.
Samantha may best be known for her eight seasons co-hosting the live ABC hit Dancing With The Stars, which averaged more than 30 million viewers weekly and was the #2 most-watched show in the U.S. in each of those years. In Season 2, she even kicked up her heals on the ballroom floor to perform a Jive routine with World Smooth Champion and DWTS professional dancer Jonathan Roberts.
Most recently Samantha could be seen on the world’s #1 entertainment news program, Entertainment Tonight, as a full-time correspondent, weekend co-host and substitute co-anchor for the weeknight editions. She has traveled the globe interviewing some of the industry’s biggest stars, including Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz for their film “Knight and Day” in both Salzburg, Austria, and Seville, Spain; Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Michael Douglas at The Cannes Film Festival; Jake Gyllenhaal in London; Kate Hudson on the NYC set of “Something Borrowed”; Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Adam Sandler in Maui on the set of their film, “Just Go With It”; and Sting in Manhattan Beach, CA, while he rehearsed for his world tour. In an exclusive interview, Harris also sat down with Princess Diana’s brother Charles, Earl Spencer, in London as he remembered his sister’s wedding day. Additionally, Harris gained an exclusive interview with Lindsay Lohan just prior to Lohan serving her prison sentence.
Harris’ other notable interviews include the cast of “Glee,” Oprah Winfrey, Shia LeBoeuf, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, George Clooney, Anne Hathaway, Patrick Dempsey, Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake and Olympic gold medalist Shaun White. Prior to joining to ET, she had already interviewed well over 300 celebrities. Samantha also had the privilege of covering President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C.
Dean Cain
Dean Cain is best known for his starring role as Superman/Clark Kent on "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," the popular ABC series that averaged 15 million viewers per episode during its four season run. Dean Cain was most recently a finalist on NBC's new competition series, "Stars Earn Stripes", which benefitted Wounded Warrior Project ®. This fall, he will serve as Host for the new syndicated series, “Bloopers,” and starring as the lead on VH1’s new series, "Bounce."
An all American football player at Princeton, and a former NFL player with the Buffalo Bills, Cain is also well known for starring in numerous films, television series and TV movies, including USA Network's "The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story," as well as memorable roles on "Las Vegas,” "Hope & Faith" and "Clubhouse," to name a few. He also served as Host of the long-running TBS series "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!," which he also produced through his Angry Dragon Entertainment. Cain's other feature credits include "The Broken Hearts Club," "Out of Time" and "Bailey's Billions."
Chris Mann
As a finalist on the hit NBC television series “The Voice,” Chris Mann captured the hearts of millions while drawing the respect of multi-platinum talents such as Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo. Following one of his many dynamic live performances on the show, Aguilera told him, “I feel the heavens open up when you sing.” America agreed, and when the series ended, Chris had not one, but two songs on the iTunes Top 10 Pop Singles Chart.
Influenced by Pavarotti, Robbie Williams and vintage Sinatra, Chris’ blend of classically-trained tenor and contemporary pop vocals is a sound that’s rare in music today. Said Cee Lo, “He is by far one of the most incomparable vocalists I have ever heard.”
Chris has worked with some of the industry’s top producers including Walter Afanasieff (Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion), Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and Keith Thomas (Charlotte Church, Vanessa Williams), with whom he wrote and recorded a duet with Grammy Award-winning artist Heather Headley.
Chris has worked with some of the industry’s top producers including Walter Afanasieff (Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion), Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and Keith Thomas (Charlotte Church, Vanessa Williams), with whom he wrote and recorded a duet with Grammy Award-winning artist Heather Headley.
He's toured with Grammy Award-winner India.Arie and Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel. He's also performed at high profile events including the Sundance Film Festival, the Academy Awards Young Hollywood Party, the American Film Institute Awards, among others. Chris was also featured in “David Foster and Friends” at special events in Los Angeles and Washington D.C, performing “The Prayer” with Katharine McPhee and David Foster. His voice has also been featured in films such as AVATAR, GLEE 3D, LETTERS TO JULIET, TANGLED, SEX AND THE CITY 2, THE SMURFS, 2012, and many more.
Twitter: IAmChrisMann
Lorena Garcia
Venezuelan-born chef, restaurateur, TV host and published author Lorena Garcia is one of the country’s leading Latina chefs. A judge and investor on NBC’s “America’s Next Great Restaurant” and a guest chef on the season finale of Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars,” she’s a competitor on season four of Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters”. August 2012 she opened her second traveler’s restaurant, Lorena Garcia Tapas at the Atlanta Airport, in the wake of her flagship Lorena Garcia Cocina in Miami. With her recipes already featured in numerous magazines, Ballantine Books published her first cookbook last September, Lorena Garcia’s New Latin Classics. If this weren’t enough, Taco Bell recently debuted its new Cantina Bell menu, featuring vibrant flavors and authentic recipes from Garcia’s own kitchen.
Garcia first embraced a love of food as a child, most bountifully at family gatherings while growing up in Caracas, Venezuela. She earned a law degree from Santa Maria University and immigrated to the U.S., She finished her associate degree and paralegal studies while learning English, but she soon realized her heart wasn’t in it. Garcia left the legal world behind her and enrolled at Johnson & Wales University, graduating with a degree in culinary arts. With a world of choices ahead, she set out on a tour of countries known for great cuisine. In Paris she took her first job as an apprentice at the Ritz-Carlton, subsequently working her way through Italy, Japan, Korea, Thailand and China. Returning to the U.S., she spent three years under acclaimed chef Pascal Oudin at the Grand Bay Hotel. She continued to hone her chops, and helped prepare a few, doing time at Jeffery Chodorow’s China Grill and Red Square.
In July 2002 Garcia took the leap and opened her own restaurant, Food Café, and then Elements Tierra, two successful restaurants in Miami’s Design District that featured an eclectic mix of Latin and Asian-inspired dishes (both sold in 2008). Recognizing a need for great comfort food for stressed-out travelers, in February 2011 she brought her talents as an executive chef to Miami International Airport with the opening of Lorena Garcia Cocina, a healthier take on traditional Latin cuisine. Lorena Garcia Tapas opened in August 2012 at Atlanta International Airport, to be followed by Dallas/Ft. Worth in early 2014.
Five For Fighting
Like most fledgling musicians, John Ondrasik (aka Five For Fighting) grew up wanting to be successful. Radio play. An appreciative audience. Rubbing elbows and maybe even collaborating with heroes who inspired him.
Thanks to impactful No. 1 hits such as "Superman" and "100 Years," Ondrasik has certainly had that success and been able to establish himself as a working -- and, importantly, evolving -- artist. But he's also accomplished a great deal more during the 15 years of his recording career.
Ondrasik used his formidable position -- more than 2.5 million albums sold and stature as one of Billboard magazines Top 5 Adult-Contemporary artists of the 2000s -- as a launching pad that's taken him well beyond the charts. In 2012 he's a philanthropist and an in-demand public speaker. He's carved out a niche as a sports commentator with columns for SI.com and the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, made regular contributions to Jim Rome and Tony Bruno's syndicated radio programs, and performed at numerous sporting events. He's started to explore, cautiously but excitedly, the worlds of musical theater and TV show development.
He's nothing less than a pop music renaissance man, and justifiably proud that he has more than just some hit singles to show as accomplishments. "I'm very lucky," Ondrasik says. "For over a decade I've been able to make my living as a songwriter and be able to practice my craft. I could've been one of those guys who, yeah, had some potential, wrote a few good songs but never was allowed to have that public hearing. I DID have the gift of being heard. I caught the falling star. Obviously you have to do the work and have the tenacity to face the hurdles along the way -- everything has to align,. Then, if it does, you can embrace success as an opportunity to do something even more with it."
DJ RAVIDRUMS
DJ RAVIDRUMS originates a hip, epic musical movement and invented the simultaneous process of live drum playing and live remixing. He is bringing his brand of performance to Howie Mandel's new NBC show "Howie Do It" which began airing to record ratings on NBC January 9. He is also a staple on Los Angeles KTLA Morning News which broadcast daily to over 3 million viewers in the Western U.S. More than your typical music director, Ravidrums is to Mandel what Paul Schaffer is to Letterman.
Discovered by Mandel while playing with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson during 2008 Superbowl Halftime, DJ RAVIDRUMS remixing live on the drums and percussion is the most powerful party element anyone has ever experienced. In fact when renowned director Fatima Robinson was looking for a featured drummer for the 2009 Oscars musical spectacular, Ravi spiced up the show. The following day he turned up the volume with a performance on Oprah. Whether you thrill for the sensual sounds that move your body, mind and soul and transport you to nirvana or an orgasmic musical frenzy that sends your senses pulsing, DJ RAVIDRUMS takes it to the next level and seals the deal.
Having performed everywhere from such elite and notorious private residences as the Playboy mansion to the most exclusive red carpet events for Michael Jordan, Nike, HBO, Nintendo and FOX, DJ RAVIDRUMS is unstoppable.
Bringing his high-octane, in-your-face energy to hip-hop, rock, funk, house, Latin, Brazilian and reggaeton, DJ RAVIDRUMS transcends with imagination and originality.
DJ's such as Oakenfold and artists such as icons Tupac Shakur, Grammy winners Will Smith, Ricky Martin, Justin Timberlake and George Clinton, members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slash and most recently Supa-Star Producer Lil' Jon for Pit Bull's latest release and the Black Eyed Peas, all crave the unbridled passion and electricity unique only to DJ RAVIDRUMS.
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Where: City National Grove of Anaheim 2200 East Katella Avenue Anaheim, California 92806 |
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Evening program: October 21, 2012 5:00 – 6:00pm Cocktails & Reception 6:00 – 9:30pm Dinner & Awards Program |
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Attire: fashionable, not formal (please no jeans or shorts) |
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Parking: The City National Grove offers easy access with secure, adjacent parking. Lots open at least two hours prior to the evening’s program and parking fees are included in sponsorship and event ticket prices. |
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Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Orange County 11999 Harbor Boulevard Garden Grove, California 92840 866.538.0187 |


















