Supergroup Diamond Rio Launches Team Rio as a Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee
Arista Nashville supergroup Diamond Rio spearheads an all-new initiative in the New Year, as the longtime National Spokespersons for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America launch Team Rio - a fundraising effort that will participate in the 2005 Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. Between now and February 5, Team Rio is recruiting members to run or walk Nashville's Country Music 1/2 Marathon on April 30.
With Diamond Rio's Marty Roe and Jimmy Olander as race participants and Team Rio Celebrity Captains - and guidance from coach Billy Smith, an experienced marathoner and tri-athlete - the team plans to meet on a weekly basis for group runs and training tips, though participants are also welcome to train independently. Open to walkers, first-time marathoners, and participants of all skill levels, the goal of Team Rio is to raise awareness and funding for the good work of Big Brothers Big Sisters, while also promoting health and fitness to Nashville's youth. More...
Chesney Gives Fans an Advance Performance
Kenny Chesney gives CMT viewers an advance performance of songs from Be As You Are: Songs From An Old Blue Chair in a live CMT special. Chesney performs a live one-hour special, Kenny Chesney: Be As You Are, premiering January 22 at 9 p.m. ET.
Chesney gives CMT viewers the first performance of songs from his new album, to be released on January 25
Paisley’s ‘Mud & Suds’ Headline Tour Sells Out Launch Weekend
Brad Paisley’s headline tour, “Mud and Suds,” kicked-off in Verona, NY on Friday evening to a sold out crowd and his benefit for hometown of Wheeling, WV on Saturday evening was also sold out – bringing the total in attendance to over 14,000. Monies raised from the benefit go to the Brad Paisley Foundation and then distributed to Northern Panhandle Long-Term Flood Recovery Committee to help flood victims of the Upper Ohio Valley. The area experienced devastating floods in September 2004 and then again on January 5, 2005. More...
Country Hall of Fame Presents ‘Banjo Man: The Musical Journey of Earl Scruggs’
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will survey the life and career of banjo guru Earl Scruggs in Banjo Man: The Musical Journey of Earl Scruggs, a cameo exhibit opening in the Museum’s East Gallery on March 4, 2005. The exhibit also honors Scruggs’ wife and business partner, Louise Certain Scruggs. Banjo Man will remain open through June 16, 2006. “It is altogether fitting that we undertake this salute to Earl and Louise Scruggs,” said Vince Gill, president of the Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees. “For decades, following in the tradition of Ralph Peer and Jimmie Rodgers, or Fred Rose and Hank Williams, they have formed one of country music’s most productive musical and business partnerships. The path they have forged is very much in keeping with our Museum philosophy, which encourages an open-ended, broad-minded interpretation of the country music story.”
Brittany Wells to Perform for Virgin's "100 Acts of Support - The Concerts for Tsunami Relief"
Spindletop Records President, Wyatt Easterling, announced today that recording artist Brittany Wells will be performing in Dallas, TX this Thursday, January 20th at 4:00 PM, at the Virgin Records Mega Store as part of the Virgin Records "100 Acts of Support - The Concerts for Tsunami Relief." Wells will perform songs from her current project, "Loving Every Minute of It" and will remain in the store to sign CD copies after her performance. More...
Sony Scene
JESSI ALEXANDER:
With the upcoming March 1 release of Jessi Alexander's debut album,
Honeysuckle Sweet, the album reviews have started rolling in. Tracks
summarized the stellar review with "Alexander's raw yearning sounds
divine." American Songwriter writes, "Jessi Alexander is a songwriter
that just gets it - the essence of pure songwriting, the ability to tell stories and capture emotion in four minutes. And on her Columbia Records debut, Honeysuckle Sweet, she does it 11 times." Y'all Magazine just published an article written by Jessi on her Southern travels. In the article, she recounts personal stories from her visits to Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta and Memphis, and how they've influenced her music today. Jessi's new single, "Canyon Prayer," goes for adds on January 24.
Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall left Sunday for the United Kingdom as part of the Country Music Association's "New From Nashville," a series of high-profile showcases in London and Glasgow (the latter as part of Celtic Connections 2005, Scotland's premier winter music festival). Two shows, which will be open to the public, will be held Wednesday, January 19 at London Borderline and Thursday, January 20 at Glasgow Tron Theater. More on Shelly Fairchild, Buddy Jewell and Trent Willmon...