Moraine Records' Keni Thomas Joined Chely Wright And Craig Morgan For Operation American Soldier Benefit
Kansas City's WDAF recently hosted a special evening, Operation American Soldier, to raise money for The Hero Fund. Keni Thomas, an Army Ranger vet was joined by Craig Morgan and Chely Wright in an evening devoted to the men and women serving in the military. Thomas' first single, 'Not Me', is from his upcoming January 25 release, "Flags of Our Fathers- A Soldier's Story".
The Hero Fund is administered by the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The Foundation mission is devoted to providing a college education to every child who has lost a parent while serving in the Special Operations Command during an operational or training mission.
Hit Country Singer/Songwriter Phil Vassar Joins Show Host LeAnn Rimes On The Third Season Of Usa Network's Nashville Star
The producers of Nashville Star, USA Network's grassroots talent search series to find the next country music superstar, have named country music singer/songwriter Phil Vassar as a celebrity judge to join show host LeAnn Rimes for the third season, which will premiere on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, from 10:00 - 11:00 PM (ET/PT) on USA Network. The announcement was made today by Libby Hansen, vice president, alternative series & specials, USA Network.
LeAnn Rimes said, "I'm so honored to have my friend Phil Vassar join Nashville Star with me. Phil is an amazing talent who will inspire these country hopefuls tremendously." More...
Gretchen Wilson Top Selling Debut Artist
When the dust settled from the frenzied holiday selling season, Gretchen Wilson's debut album Here For The Party had scanned almost three million units ? cementing her as the top-selling debut artist of any genre for 2004. Party hit the street on May 11, 2004, and based on the strength of her smash hit single "Redneck Woman" the album entered the Top 200 at #2. The disc debuted on the country album chart at #1 and camped out there for a record nine consecutive weeks.
"To coin a phrase from 'Field of Dreams,' if you build it, they will come," said Sony Nashville President John Grady. "Gretchen Wilson built it, and it appears that they will be showing up for a long, long time." More...
Kenny Chesney To "The Concert for the Tsunami Victims"
They are still in the midst of finalizing the line-up for NBC's "Concert for the Tsunami Victims," which will be broadcast live on Saturday January 15th. Drawing on top names from movies, TV, music, theatre and sports, the entertainment community will gather as one to extend a helping hand to the families devastated by the South Asian tsunami catastrophe.
"We were trying to figure out how to get involved," says Chesney, just back from his Christmas break -- and waist deep in preparations for the release of Be As You Are: Songs from an Old Blue Chair. "You watch this stuff on tv... You look at the pictures in the paper... And you can't even imagine how those families must feel. Truly, it is beyond comprehension. So when the people putting this show together called to ask, I didn't even have to think about it. I was like, 'Where do you need me to be?'" More...
Lee Greenwood “saluting Those Who Serve” As Part Of Inaguration Festivities
Grammy winner and former CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Lee Greenwood will join Gloria Estefan, John Michael Montgomery, and others on-stage for the “Saluting Those Who Serve” event at the MCI Center in Washington, DC Tuesday, January 18. The event will take place from 2 – 4 PM EST. Greenwood will perform the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
The “Saluting Those Who Serve” event is part of the Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies of 2005. More...
Keith Urban to tape CMT Crossroads
Keith Urban will join John Fogerty for an upcoming CMT Crossroads. The show will debut on February 19th.
Sara Evans' 'Restless' is Platinum
CMA award-winner Sara Evans is already having a happy new year. The woman Billboard calls "country's next female superstar" has received word that her current album, Restless, has been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of one million copies. She co-produced the collection, which contains hits like the self-penned "Perfect," and "Suds in the Bucket." Sara's previous album, Born to Fly, was recently certified double platinum.
The dark-haired beauty is gearing up to hit the road with Brad Paisley next week for their "Mud & Suds Tour." The shows get under way in New York state Friday, January 14. The entire family, including new addition Audrey, will pack up the tour bus and spend the winter entertaining fans with a multitude of hit songs. Also, on the bill as a special guest is RCA label-mate Andy Griggs. More...
