By Kevin Woo | Alzheimer’s Speaks

Today is Earth Day. It’s a day when people around the world stop and take inventory of how their actions affect the planet.

Today is also Glen Campbell’s 77th birthday and it was announced that he will release a new album on August 6. The album will have new recordings of some of his most famous songs including “Gentle on My Mind,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” and “Wichita Lineman.”

Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in July 2012. He still managed to play 120 concert dates last year and some dates in 2013. His wife, Kim, said today, “Glen still wants to record, but it’s just a matter of time if he’s able to. It just gets more and more difficult for him all the time.”

Campbell still plays golf, his guitar and occasionally drops by the recording studio to lay down a track or two.

That Glen and Kim are so open about the disease answers the question about how important they are to the planet. Their openness helps draw much needed attention to the disease.