Nashville Music Scene

Lady Antebellum And Fans Raise $285,000 For Henryville

jerry — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:51:11 +0000

Photo Credit by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Lady Antebellum and thousands of generous fans joined together at Louisville, KY’s KFC Yum! Center tonight to raise more than $285,000 for the Henryville, IN community. All proceeds will be distributed through the New Hope/Indiana Bankers Association for the Disaster Relief Fund.

The group hosted a private prom event with Henryville High School’s Juniors and Seniors where they surprised the students a with an acoustic performance, which was followed by an arena concert open to the public.

“This event started as an idea we had in the studio last year to crash someone’s prom,” explains Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We had no idea at the time it would fill such a need. We are amazed by the support we’ve gotten from our fans, sponsors and the press. This is one of the proudest moments in our career!”

Lady A and ABC’s JuJu Chang visited Henryville High School earlier today where they toured the devastated school that is currently under construction and planning to reopen this fall. The community’s inspiring story and highlights from the day will air tomorrow on Good Morning America, World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, Nightline, ABC Radio and on ABC affiliates across the country. Additional national and local media supporters will air special content from the event throughout the week. For more information, visit www.thegreenroompr.com.

In March, Lady Antebellum began a contest offering fans a chance to OWN THE NIGHT with a private concert at their prom. The trio unanimously chose the community of Henryville, IN for their story, resilience and unity following devastating tornados. Lipton also came on board to help with the event in the spirit of their “Drink Positive” and “Live Positive” message, a campaign that Lady A already supports. Fans who weren’t able to attend the concert, but would still like to contribute towards the cause can make a donation here: http://bit.ly/ladyaprom.

Contact: jerry@nashville.com

Little Big Town Ready To Ride

jerry — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:43:33 +0000

Country foursome Little Big Town is back to host the 2012 Ride For a Cure Sunday, June 10 with proceeds benefitting the T.J. Martell Foundation. This will be the group’s 6th consecutive year hosting the ride.

The event will stay true to form with the exception of a new starting location for registration and the pre-ride Jam Session that will be Mickey Roo’s (509 Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37069) in the Kroger Independence Square parking lot on Hillsboro Pike (see below link and QR code for specific directions). Registration begins at 8am.

At this pre-ride location guests and riders can expect performances by Cali Rodi and others on the welcome stage and then will depart at 10:30am for the Harley-Davidson Columbia Superstore.

Post-ride festivities will begin at 12pm and include a lunch hosted by Applebee’s, an All-Star Jam Session with performances by Lauren Alaina, Dean Alexander, Love and Theft and Little Big Town as well as a live auction for all attendees.

To date over $260,000 has been raised for the T.J. Martell Foundation since the beginning of Ride For a Cure. There have been over 2,500 motorcycle riders to participate in the ride, and an additional 2,000 people have joined us over the last three years at the Harley-Davidson Columbia Superstore for the post-ride All Star Jam concert. Past performers and supporters include Martina McBride, Jamey Johnson, The Band Perry and Luke Bryan among others.

Link to purchase tickets:
www.nashvillerideforacure.com

Directions to new starting location, Mickey Roo’s:
http://tinyurl.com/84elsn4

Contact: jerry@nashville.com

Miranda Lambert Won’t Apologize

jerry — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:37:39 +0000

Miranda Lambert speaks her mind in her music and in conversation and she takes that honest candor to the cover of the June issue of Self Magazine. Under the heading of “15 Things I’ll Never Apologize For,” Miranda talks about how to throw a punch, hairspray and gives the ingredients of her signature cocktail, the “Randa-rita.” The magazine is on newsstands now.

June is a busy month for Miranda. She’s nominated for two CMT Music Awards for her Number 1 single, “Over You,” including “Video of the Year” and “Female Video of the Year. Her “On Fire” Tour continues throughout the month and she’ll make a stop in Beaumont, TX on June 22, to headline the 5th Annual Cause for the Paws concert benefitting her own MuttNation Foundation. The concert takes place at Ford Park where she’ll be joined by special guests Wade Bowen and The Josh Abbott Band. Tickets are available at the Ford Park Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000.

Contact: jerry@nashville.com

Grand Ole Opry To Salute Military

jerry — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:29:18 +0000

The show that made country music famous is scheduled to salute heroes of the U.S. military with all-star performances Tuesday, May 22. Performers slated for the evening include Opry members Rascal Flatts, Montgomery Gentry, and Ronnie Milsap, along with Kellie Pickler.

“This show continues the Opry’s long and very important tradition of recognizing our nation’s armed forces with a hail and ‘thank you’,” said Opry vice president and general manager Pete Fisher. “Country music is America’s music, and we look forward to some of our most talented country artists coming home to the Opry to play America’s music for the nation’s heroes– both those in the Opry House Tuesday night and those who will tune in to broadcasts later in the week.”

The show will air as the premiere 90-minute episode of “Noteworthy at the Opry” on GAC: Great American Country Sat., May 26 9:00 p.m. ET. The 16-episode series will feature musical performances and personal stories from top acts in country music plus interviews with other celebrities about the artists and music featured in each episode.

“Noteworthy at the Opry” is sponsored by Dish Network, and the premiere episode is co-sponsored by Opry presenting sponsor Humana®. Humana recently launched a “Veterans Initiative” – committing to hiring 1,000 military veterans over a three-year period while also contributing $1 million to the national Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV). The EBV, founded at Syracuse University in 2007, will be featured as part of this special “Noteworthy at the Opry” telecast.

The special show will also be seen by U.S. military around the world via the American Forces Television Network.

Contact: jerry@nashville.com

John Oates Joins Talented Kids In Announcing The 1st Annual Rock’n and Reel’n Celebrity Fishing Tournament and Gala in Nashville July 9-10

David — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:22:14 +0000

Superstar recording artist John Oates (of Hall and Oates) couldn’t keep the smile from his face this morning as he stood in the wings at Nashville’s Two Old Hippies store and watched 18 budding musicians from Mount View Elementary pick out the instantly recognizable chord progression to the classic rock tune “Smoke On The Water.” Of course, Oates was playing his guitar right along with the third and fourth grade students, who are all in their first year of Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music in public schools with economically disadvantaged kids.

They were all there, along with the kids’ music director Mark Hale and Gary Clouse of Phoenix Boats, to announce the 1st Annual Rock’n and Reel’n Fishing Celebrity Fishing Tournament and Gala in Nashville July 9-10, benefiting Little Kids Rock and sponsored by Two Old Hippies, Bedell Guitars, National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and Berkley. Seeing the Mount View kids play their guitars prompted Oates to reminisce about his first instrument.

“I don’t know where I’d be without music,” he said. “It’s been a part of my life since I was a little kid. I started out playing guitar when I was six. So, I should be a lot better,” he quipped. “I had a friend who lived down the street from me and his father had an old beat up guitar in his basement. And I really wanted that guitar. And his father gave it to me, and that’s where I took my first lesson. The strings were probably so far off the neck I couldn’t even press them down, but eventually I get a little bit better instrument and I continued to play. And it’s been the biggest part of my life.

“It’s been proven that music makes connections with kids, through math and thinking and logic. There are so many benefits. And not only that, just the personal pride in being able to say that you can do this, and that you learned a song and can play and you can play with friends. And with the budget cuts that are going on in American schools, I think it’s really imperative that we keep music programs alive. I’m proud to be a part of this. It’s going to be a great event and I’m looking forward to fishing and playing and hanging out.”

Since 2005, Little Kids Rock has donated more than a half-million dollars worth of instruments, resources and curricula to the Metro Nashville Public Schools, which currently serves more than 3,600 students. With the Rock’n & Reel’n fundraiser, they hope to double the program in 2012 to reach over 7,000 students in the Nashville district.

Bedell Guitars is the official provider of guitars for Little Kids Rock (who, this morning, played guitars donated by Big Kenny of Big & Rich) and is working to expand funding and reach for the program. Founder Tom Bedell and his wife Molly also own Two Old Hippies, a guitar, apparel and gift store currently located in Aspen Colorado, and The Gulch in Nashville.

The tournament and gala will pair up celebrities and music industry sponsors with some of the most well-known fishing pros in the bass fishing industry. Proceeds will help the Two Old Hippies Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee support Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music in public schools with economically disadvantaged kids.

The event kicks off on the evening of Monday, July 9 with a special meet-and-greet reception at the Sambuca Restaurant in the Gulch. The following day (July 10), a bass fishing tournament will take place on Old Hickory Lake located on the Cumberland River, just northeast of Nashville. Fishing pros from the bass fishing industry will include legendary, two-time Bassmaster champion, Hank Parker, long-time, highly decorated veterans Larry Nixon, Paul Elias, Casey Ashley and other notable country artists, and NAMM attendees — all for the cause of keeping music in public schools.

A gala dinner and concert will follow the tournament at Nashville’s famed Wildhorse Saloon, featuring performances from John Oates, Gary Morris, emerging singer/songwriter Drake White, Professional Angler and country artist, Casey Ashley, along with more of Nashville’s finest talents to be announced soon.

To register to fish or to sponsor the 1st Annual Rock’n & Reel’n Celebrity FishingTournament and Benefit Concert, visit the official website at RocknandReeln.com.

—David Scarlett

Photos: David Scarlett

Contact: dscarlett@nashville.com or jerry@nashville.com

Win A Chance to See Toby Keith Rehearse

jerry — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:24:30 +0000

Toby Keith will be in Nashville on Saturday, June 2nd for rehearsals for his upcoming Live In Overdrive Tour Presented by Ford F-Series and they have a very limited number of passes for this exclusive event to give away to you as a thank you for your continued support!!! Some lucky fan club members will have a chance to be the first to get to see the new set, possibly see the new opening tour video and maybe even hear some of the songs that will be included in this year’s set list, which might include the fan favorite song chosen by you, the fans. This is a once in a lifetime behind the scenes look at tour preparations.

Deadline to enter for this awesome opportunity is Midnight Wednesday, May 16, 2012, so don’t delay!

Click here for more info and to signup now.

Oprah Winfrey To Interview Carrie Underwood And Mike Fisher

jerry — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:38:55 +0000

Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS

Oprah Winfrey will travel to Nashville, Tennessee this summer to film all new episodes of “Oprah’s Next Chapter” where she speaks with Carrie Underwood and her NHL husband Mike Fisher, marking the first time cameras have ever been invited inside their cabin retreat for an intimate, in-depth interview. Underwood reflects on her rise to stardom as she looks back on her journey. For their first television interview together, Underwood and Fisher talk about how they balance their successful and fast-paced careers with their two year marriage. The couple also takes Winfrey to their new plot of land where they plan to build their dream home.

Kenny Chesney’s ‘Amazing’ Night In New Orleans

jerry — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:22:09 +0000

In a city famous for live music, Kenny Chesney and band took the stage last night at the House of Blues in New Orleans to wrap up the 3rd Annual “Amazing Race” Charity Event. The race is a signature event of the Brees Dream Foundation, which was founded by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and wife Brittany. This year, the event partnered with the Just Keep Livin Foundation, founded by Matthew McConaughey and fiancée Camila Alves.

Of the show Chesney said, “We’ve been in tour rehearsals for weeks now so it was great for us to get on stage and feel the energy and feedback from the crowd. Tonight was all about playing music to help celebrate this great event. People in this town love music and helping out their neighbor and I was glad to be a part of it.”

The intimate setting of the House of Blues allowed for some very special moments. A one of kind auction item allowing the highest bidder to sing on stage with Kenny raised $10,000. The two sang his # 1 hit, “Somewhere With You.” The night ended with Drew Brees and Matthew McConaughey uniting with Chesney on stage for an encore performance of Chesney’s gridiron anthem, “Boys of Fall.” “Kenny has been a dear friend and always expressed interest in working with the foundation. This is such a wonderful way to end the race and his support means the world to us,” said Brees and McConaughey.

With the ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour kick off only three weeks away, it’s back to rehearsals for Chesney and crew. The all stadium, 20 + city tour with longtime friend Tim McGraw, begins in Tampa, FL on June 2. In addition, Chesney’s highly anticipated 13th studio album, ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl,’ is available June 19.

The Brees Foundation and the Just Keep Livin’ Foundations partnered for the 3rd Annual “Amazing Race” which provides after school fitness and wellness programs in the New Orleans area. All proceeds from the event will benefit the charities as well as go towards providing care, education and opportunities for children and families in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

Martina McBride And Husband To Celebrate 24 Years

jerry — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:33:21 +0000

Martina McBride and her husband John will celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary this Tuesday, May 15th, and she says the secret to their success and longevity is pretty simple. “Well first of all I got lucky and chose well,” she says with a laugh. “And we just have a lot of respect for each other and we are really good friends, and I think that that‟s really important. We’ve grown together instead of apart. So it‟s all worked out. He’s a great partner and I try to be a good partner back.” Chances are her latest song, “Marry Me,” will be part of many marriage proposals and weddings for couples who hope to one day be able to celebrate 24 successful years to together.

In other Martina news: Martina McBride will sing the national anthem during pre-race ceremonies at the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “I am extremely excited that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has invited me to this year’s Indy 500,” said Martina. “It is a huge honor to sing the National Anthem at what is known as the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’” “We welcome Martina McBride to IMS to perform The Star Spangled Banner shortly before the engines fire for the 96th Indianapolis 500,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. “Her unforgettable voice and stage presence will add special meaning to this tribute to our country and the veterans who have served it with great dedication and sacrifice.”

Contact: jerry@nashville.com

Lady Antebellum Fan Gets A Big Surprise

jerry — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:17:20 +0000

Lady Antebellum fan Jessica Stokes appears on Anderson to explain why she loves the country group, saying, “Ever since I heard their first song on the radio, just every song after that I’ve loved, loved, loved.”

Jessica goes on to explain she has never been able to see her favorite band in concert because her husband is in the air force and their family lived in Germany for three years. “There’s not a whole lot of country music going on in Germany.” Stokes recalled a few summers back, when she and her husband were going to attend a Lady Antebellum concert in London, but couldn’t go because she missed her flight.

As a military wife who doesn’t get to see her husband very often, Jessica says one particular song, “I Run to You,” really resonates with her. “That song makes me think about him… and there are so many songs that remind me of our relationship.”

See what happens when Jessica realizes her three favorite musicians are backstage to greet her.

Contact: jerry@nashville.com