Country Chatter - News for May 2, 2005
Today's Stories Include:
- The Home Depot, Kaboom! And Academy Of Country Music To Build New Playground In Hometown Of Country Music Star Martina McBride
- Mark Chesnutt Fans "Don't Want To Miss A Thing" (Ever!)
- MerleFest 2005 Draws Record Crowd
- IFCO Announces MORE ARTISTS for 38th Annual IFCO Fun Fest Show
- Gretchen Wilson Sets Date for New Album
- Kids Are Big Winners as Diamond Rio's "Team Rio" Scores $20K for Big Brothers Big Sisters
The Home Depot, Kaboom! And Academy Of Country Music To Build New Playground In Hometown Of Country Music Star Martina McBride
Country music superstar Martina McBride will join volunteers from The Home Depot®, the world's largest home improvement retailer, to construct a new KaBOOM!playground on April 29, 2005, in Medicine Lodge, Kan., in recognition of her being selected the 2004 recipient of The Home Depot Humanitarian Award at the 39th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
McBride, who joins Reba McEntire and Lonestar as previous award winners, selected the City Park in Medicine Lodge as the site of the playground build because it is only 10 miles from her hometown of Sharon, Kan. The playground will replace the outdated play equipment currently on-site and offer a safe and healthy play space for the more than 300 children who live in the area. The park is adjacent to U.S. Highway 160 and will be used by children in Barber County and families traveling the interstate.
The Home Depot Humanitarian Award is a distinctive honor created to recognize an artist or group in the country music industry who is committed to serving others, has a generosity of spirit and is dedicated to helping build the dreams of those in need. The recipient is honored with a KaBOOM! playground build donated by The Home Depot in the city of his/her choice.
"The City Park is the source of many happy memories for me and my family. I grew up playing on its playground, and we had countless family reunions and gatherings there," said McBride. "I would like to thank The Home Depot, KaBOOM!, the Academy of Country Music and the many fans that voted for me to receive this award. I'm proud to share this honor with the city of Medicine Lodge, and I know this playground will be enjoyed for many years to come."
The Home Depot Humanitarian Award, the first fan-voted award in the Academy's history, will be presented during the live CBS telecast of the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17, 2005. Fans can vote for 2005 nominees Brad Paisley, Neal McCoy and Diamond Rio at HomeDepot.com/acm/
"This award is an opportunity for music fans, the Academy of Country Music and The Home Depot to recognize country music stars who make time to give back to their communities," said John Costello, executive vice president, Merchandising and Marketing, The Home Depot. "Volunteering and improving the communities in which we work, live and play are fundamental parts of the culture at The Home Depot."
"It's a great day to participate in this playground build and interact with the children, parents and volunteers," said Gayle Holcomb, chairman of the board of directors, Academy of Country Music.
"KaBOOM! and The Home Depot have made an impact on many children's lives by partnering to build playgrounds across the country. I'm honored that the Academy can help build this playground for the children of Medicine Lodge, and I thank Martina for taking part in this event." The project is made possible by a partnership between The Home Depot and KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization whose vision is to create a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. As the founding partner of KaBOOM!, The Home Depot provides financial support, materials and numerous volunteers. By the end of 2005, The Home Depot will have built and funded more than 350 KaBOOM! playground projects. The Home Depot embraces its role as a leader in social responsibility and celebrates its long-standing commitment to volunteerism. In 1992, the company established Team Depot, an associate volunteer program that encourages and enables associates to participate in service projects in their communities. Through Team Depot, partnerships with nonprofit groups and The Home Depot Foundation, the company donates millions of hours, tools and supplies to support community service projects every year.
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Mark Chesnutt Fans "Don't Want To Miss A Thing" (Ever!)
Nashville, TN--Mark Chesnutt, who has performed in more than 50 shows already this year, made a final decision that he’s been toying with over the last several months. For years, Chesnutt has closed his show with the encore performance of his number one hit “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” But, in 2005, he opted to eliminate the chart topper entirely from the set list. “I know this was a really big hit for me and I have genuine appreciation for its success,” says Mark, “but, my new CD has a classic Honky Tonk feel and that's the direction I want to take the live show. ‘I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing’ just didn’t seem to fit.” Even though “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” held the No. 1 position for four consecutive weeks, Mark made the decision to nix it from the set-list altogether.
…Seems the fans disagree strongly with the omission. “Yep, I take it out the set list altogether, and guess what? It’s become the most requested song now,” adds Mark. Just a few days ago, Mark appeared in Nashville to perform at a radio listener appreciation show and a very special request made its way to the stage via a napkin. The request (submitted by Denise Roberts, a former MCA Records rep who initially worked with Mark and the label to get the single to the No. 1 spot), was supported by an out pour of shout-outs--Mark Chesnutt performed the song that he swore he’d never sing again.
“Looks like ‘Don’t Want To Miss a Thing’ has earned its slot on the set list,” Mark says. “The fans made it a hit and for the fans, I’ll reconsider my decision!”
In addition to Chesnutt’s string of hits, he has added his current single “A Hard Secret To Keep” to his show and his encore performance features the singles “Beer, Bait and Ammo” as well as “The Lord Loves The Drinkin’ Man” from his current album SAVIN’ THE HONKY TONK.
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MerleFest 2005 Draws Record Crowd
MerleFest 2005, the 18th annual festival in celebration of the music of the late Merle Watson and his father Doc Watson drew record participation. Wilkes Community College presented the event April 28-May 1 on its campus in Wilkesboro, NC. MerleFest preliminary estimated total participation, including volunteers and school children, was 82,666. This surpasses last year’s 81,592. Paid attendance increased by 0.8% over 2004 to 39,595, including a gain of more than 2500 in Sunday tickets. Wilkes Community College will present MerleFest 2006 on April 27-30, 2006.
MerleFest 2005 offered performances by nearly 100 Americana music acts, including Doc Watson and Merle’s son Richard, Balfa Toujours; BR549, Sam Bush; The Chieftains; John Cowan Band; Rodney Crowell; Donna the Buffalo; the Duhks, Béla Fleck Acoustic Trio featuring Casey Driessen & Bryan Sutton; Corey Harris; King Wilkie, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Robert Lockwood, Jr.; Loretta Lynn; Del McCoury Band; Buddy Miller; Allison Moorer, Railroad Earth; Tony Rice; Earl Scruggs; and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder.
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IFCO Announces MORE ARTISTS for 38th Annual IFCO Fun Fest Show
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The International Fan Club Organization¹s (IFCO) 38th Annual IFCO Fun Fest Show will be held at 7:30 p.m. on June 7th at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Headliner Craig Morgan will be joined by special guest Trick Pony. Other great artists include Jason Aldean, Con Hunley, Aaron Lines, Connie Smith, Chalee Tennison, Jimmy Wayne, Bryan White, Mark Wills and the IFCO Center Stage "Star Search" Winners. More to be announced. Robert K. Oermann will be the night¹s host.
On top of the evening¹s other festivities, IFCO will present Bill Anderson with the prestigious IFCO Tex Ritter Award. The award, established in 1974 to honor Country legend Tex Ritter, recognizes recipients for their contributions to Country music and its community. Past winners include Mother Maybelle Carter, Loretta Lynn, Ernest Tubb, Charlie Daniels, Robert K. Oermann, RCA Records and The Oak Ridge Boys.
Since 1995, IFCO has staged its annual show in the historic Ryman Auditorium. The show has consistently played to a sold out house. Sales for this year¹s IFCO Fun Fest Show will benefit St. Jude Children¹s Research Hospital. This is the third straight year IFCO has worked with "Fans Care" for St. Jude Kids.
"We are grateful to the Johnson sisters and IFCO for including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in their fund-raising efforts again this year." Teri Watson, Director, Radio & Entertainment Marketing ALSAC, St. Jude, said. "We appreciate the opportunity to be part of this wonderful evening and thank the fans for their participation and desire to help the kids!"
Scheduled performer Bryan White noted, "I am extremely excited about doing this year¹s IFCO show! It has been too long since I last performed on the show and I know it is going to be a lot of fun. More importantly, I am grateful to be a part of drawing awareness to and raising money for St. Jude¹s Children Research Hospital."
IFCO is widely regarded as the foremost authority on establishing and operating fan clubs. Founded in 1967 by Loudilla, Loretta and Kay Johnson, IFCO has become a respected force in the entertainment industry acting as a clearing house for fan clubs and a consumer watchdog for Country music fans.
For more information about purchasing tickets for the event, please visit IFCO.org or call 615.371.9596. Ticket costs are $38 for Platinum seating; $32 for Gold seating. There is a special $5 Military Discount. Visit the website for more information. All seats are reserved.
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Gretchen Wilson Sets Date for New Album
(Nashville, Tennessee) - Gretchen Wilson and Sony Music Nashville have set September 27, 2005 as the release date for the singer/songwriter's second Epic Records' album entitled All Jacked Up. The album includes twelve songs, seven of which were written or co-written by Gretchen, all produced by Sony Nashville Executive VP A&R Mark Wright, recording artist John Rich and Gretchen Wilson.
Knowing how busy 2005 would be touring with Kenny Chesney on the sold-out Somewhere In The Sun Tour, Gretchen spent all of January and many subsequent weeks in the studio laying down tracks for All Jacked Up. She has already been performing several songs on tour from the upcoming album including the rousing "All Jacked Up" title track, "Skoal Ring," "California Girls" and "Politically Uncorrect," which features vocals from the legendary Merle Haggard on the album track. As a bonus cut, Gretchen is including a unique version of "Good Morning Heartache" from one of her favorite singers, Billie Holiday.
All Jacked Up will be simultaneously released in Canada and Australia - where Here for the Party is certified Platinum - and other countries to be announced at a later date. In the last year Gretchen has made two extensive tours of Australia and Europe for live performances and high-profile media solidifying her status as a worldwide sensation.
Gretchen has already made numerous television appearances this year including performances on the Super Bowl Pre-Game Show, the Grammys, the CMT Music Awards and a high-profile feature on CNN's "People In The News." She will perform on the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17 (where she is nominated for five awards), she will appear on "Ellen" on May 18, and plans are already in the works for a second appearance on "The Today Show" and a feature on "Dateline NBC" around the release of All Jacked Up.
The critically-acclaimed Here For The Party album debuted at #2 on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart and #1 on the Country Albums chart and placed her in the record books for the accomplishment. The album went on to spend a record nine weeks atop the Country Albums Chart and has sold in excess of four million copies. Her first single "Redneck Woman" spent a record six weeks at #1. She wrapped up 2004 as the top selling debut artist of any genre. Gretchen's songs have reached well beyond US borders, earning the powerhouse vocalist worldwide success.
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Kids Are Big Winners as Diamond Rio's "Team Rio" Scores $20K for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Nashville, TN - Arista Nashville supergroup Diamond Rio completed its first annual "Team Rio" initiative this past Saturday, as bandmembers Marty Roe and Jimmy Olander, along with a host of volunteer runners & walkers, participated in Nashville's 13.1-mile Country Music 1/2 Marathon, raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. Team Rio pledges collectively netted over $20,000 for the charity.
As Big Brothers Big Sisters National Ambassadors since 1995, Rio has long been a major supporter of the organization, which is a primary beneficiary of the annual Arby's Charity Tour Nashville Hosted by Diamond Rio. Team Rio marked an all-new fundraising effort, with participants training both individually and collectively since late last year.
Olander clocked in at 1:50:11 for the 13.1-mile endeavor, while Roe crossed the finish line at 2:05:54. It was a chilly, overcast Saturday morning as the raced kicked off at 7 AM from Nashville's Centennial Park. Looking back on the morning, Roe commented with a smile, "My most memorable moment of the race was when I was passed by a guy in a pink tutu ... that felt good."
As an additional fundraiser, beginning Friday, Big Brothers Big Sisters will launch a two-week E-Bay auction including autographed Team Rio signage, as well as racewear from Marty and Jimmy.
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