Multi-Platinum Country Star Jo Dee Messina Scores Two Pre-Super Bowl Weekend Performances
Multi-platinum country star Jo Dee Messina has her own ideas about how to celebrate the American football tradition that is the Super Bowl; with great performances. Messina will begin her weekend performances in Jacksonville, Florida on February 4th at Super Bowl XXXIX’s Pepsi Smash Super Bowl concert series with a portion of the proceeds from that night’s show going towards Tsunami relief. The following night February 5th Messina will join legendary southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd on stage for “Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Super Bowl Saturday Night Special” for CMT.
The Pepsi Smash 3-day series will take place at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Messina, who is known for her electrifying live performances, will kick off the “Country Night” of the concert series along with Josh Gracin, Chris Cagle, and Dwight Yoakam. Her forty-minute set will include songs from all four of her hit albums including some of her #1 hits like “Bye Bye,” “Bring On the Rain,” and “I’m Alright.” She will also rock the house with new music from her forthcoming album, including the first single, her newest smash, “My Give a Dam-n’s Busted,” as well as never before heard songs including “Not Going Down,” and “ Delicious Surprise.” More...
Merle Haggard Back on Capitol Records
Capitol Records Nashville and Haggard honored the reunion with a private in-studio performance by Haggard and his band the Strangers at the historic Capitol Studios in Hollywood, CA. Assembled guests were treated to music from Haggard's new standards album, Unforgettable, as well as classic hits like "Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down," "Mama Tried" and "Okie from Muskogee."
President and CEO of Capitol Records Nashville, Mike Dungan, introduced Haggard by noting the 40th anniversary of his original signing to Capitol Records, and pointed out that Capitol's new partnership with Haggard and the singer's own Hag Records "isn't a sentimental signing - we're in this business to make great records and lots of money, and we want to make lots of money with Merle Haggard!"
Dungan confirmed that a new country album from Haggard, scheduled for a late summer/early fall release in 2005, is currently being produced by both country music veteran Jimmy Bowen and composer/producer Mike Post.
Tim McGraw Helps Kats Season Tickets Surge Past 9,300
With a little more than two weeks to go before their home opener on February 4, the Nashville Kats have sold more than 9,300 season tickets, thanks in part to team minority owner Tim McGraw. That number more than doubles the number the previous Kats franchise sold in the team’s final season of 2001.
Last Friday, Kats season ticket holders and sponsors were treated to an exclusive concert by McGraw. The show, which was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, drew more than 15,000 fans.
“We had a blast playing for our hometown crowd,” said McGraw, who played for more than two hours at the show. “Thanks to Nashville for the great turnout and also for supporting the Kats with great season ticket sales. See you at the games.”
Aaron Lines Releases Single From Sophomore Album
Country newcomer Aaron Lines made chart inroads with his single, You Can’t Hide Beautiful. The young Canadian is back with Waitin’ on the Wonderful, the first single from his sophomore album, due later this year. Fans can begin listening for the new single on radio airwaves toward the beginning of the month, while the companion video debuts this January 20, on Country Music Television’s Top Twenty Countdown.
Griggs Gets Standing Ovations at 'Muds & Suds’ Shows
Now on tour with Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, Andy Griggs is seeing firsthand the way fans are responding to his single, “If Heaven,” which pairs him with songwriter Gretchen Peters. Now climbing the charts at #20 on Billboard and #17 on R&R, Griggs’ performance of the song won standing ovations during concerts Friday in New York and Saturday in West Virginia. The single is at radio now.
Victor Sanz Shoots Video For Second Single
Victor Sanz just completed the video for the second release from his Hey Country album. The single, Love Won’t Let Me, will go for adds on February 14th. FilmXero’s Brad Murano and Steve Miller directed this venture as well as Sanz’s previous video, Destination Unknown.
