Stars Lend Talents To Sound & Speed Event

Michelle Ross – 12/19/2006

Jo Dee Messina, Josh Turner and Rodney Atkins are scheduled to perform at the Goody's Country Concert at the Gaylord Entertainment Center during the Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust festival. Artists participating in Q&A sessions alongside NASCAR's top drivers include Trace Adkins, Aaron Tippin, John Anderson, Ashley Monroe, Aaron Benward of Blue County, Messina, Turner and others. Additionally, Tippin will perform at the GEC on Saturday afternoon. The festival is scheduled for Jan. 12 and 13 and will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum charities and the Victory Junction Gang Camp for kids with serious illnesses. Tickets, available through Ticketmaster, are $20 for the Sound & Speed festival and $35 for the Saturday night Goody's Country Concert.

American Women in Radio and TV Record “Song of Love”

12/18/2006

Members of American Women in Radio and Television, recently recorded “Song of Love,” written by Sue Fabisch for 22-month-old Killian Rooks, a cancer patient at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Pictured (L-R): Fabisch; Ashley Wilson, Child life outreach at Vanderbilt; Rooks; and Alisa Welch, Pres. AWRT Nashville.

Matthew West Spreads Christmas Cheer

12/18/2006

Sparrow recording artist Matthew West recently appeared on Nashville’s FOX 17 Tennessee Mornings to spread Christmas cheer. West sang “Let It Snow,” discussed his latest album History, and talked about his involvement in the new movie, Facing The Giants, which features the song, “Completely,” co-written by West. West’s appearance is slated to re-air on Christmas Day. Pictured (L-R): Tennessee Mornings co-host Charlie Chase, West and co-host Kelly Sutton.

Big Machine Artists Benefit Toys for Tots

12/14/2006

Big Machine Records artists Jimmy Wayne, Danielle Peck and Taylor Swift recently donated their time and talent to raise over $26,000 for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. A concert featuring all three artists was presented by central California country radio stations KRAZ, KSNI and KKJG, at the Chumash Casino and Resort in Santa Ynez, CA. Pictured (L-R): Wayne, Peck, Big Machine Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta and Swift.

Kellie Pickler Bestows “Red High Heels”

12/14/2006

BNA recording artist Kellie Pickler stopped by CBS’s The Early Show to surprise Virginia “Ginger” Huey, a single mother of three and huge country fan, with a dream trip for her and her family to attend next year’s Academy of Country Music Awards live at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pickler also presented Ginger with a pair of “Red High Heels” and told her that she would personally take her shopping to find the perfect dress to go with the shoes. Pictured (L-R): Pickler, Huey, Sazannah Huey, Shannon Huey, Sarah Harrison and Early Show anchor Hannah Storm.

Blackhawk Donates to Vanderbilt Ingram

12/14/2006

Blackhawk recently presented a check for $15,000 to the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center on behalf of the Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research fund. Pictured (L-R) front: Dennis Rogers, Karen Stephenson, Henry Paul, Frances Preston, and Anthony Crawford. Back: Ken Cooper, Pres. Rust Records; Dave Robbins, Dr. Hal Moses, Dir. Emeritus of Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center; and BMI’s David Preston.

Benefit News

Jon Freeman – 12/14/2006

A benefit for 6-year old burn victim Ethan Monsalve will be held Sun., Dec. 17 at the Hillsboro-Leipers Fork Community Center. Appearances by LeAnn Rimes, Jay Demarcus, Jeffrey Steele and many more are scheduled. The silent auction starts at 6 p.m. and music at 6:30. Donations are accepted and all proceeds benefit Ethan and the Family Assistance Fund at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. For benefit information, call LeAnn Phelan (400-3031) or Betsy Cook (519-6907) and to learn more about Ethan visit www.aboutethan.com.

Vassar and Guests Honor Jamie Redford

Michelle Ross – 12/13/2006

Phil Vassar and wife Julie Wood-Vassar had a dinner party recently at their Nashville home in honor of Jamie Redford, son of actor Robert Redford and founder of the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI). The Vassars welcomed 20 Nashville couples at the reception including Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and Tony and Anastasia Brown. The gathering served as a warmup for an upcoming concert scheduled for March that will benefit JRI. It will take place in Omaha, Neb. where Jamie received his own emergency liver transplant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1993. Vassar is among the performers at the upcoming benefit.

Little Big Town On the Opry

12/13/2006

Equity Music Group recording artists Little Big Town recently performed on the Grand Ole Opry at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Little Big Town performed their current single “Good As Gone,” “Stay,” and the hit single “Boondocks,” from their Grammy nominated album, The Road To Here. While backstage they met Big Machine artist Taylor Swift. Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Roads, Jimi Westbrook, Swift, Phillip Sweet and Karen Fairchild.

KWNR Vegas Toys For Tickets All-Star Jam

12/13/2006

Rodney Atkins, Steve Holy, Chris Young, Emerson Drive and Ira Dean of Trick Pony lit up the stage as they made surprise performances at this year’s Toys for Tickets All Star Jam held at Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino in Las Vegas Dec. 3. The event was sponsored by Station Casinos and KWNR New Country 95.5 FM. Donations of toys were exchanged for a free ticket to the third annual event. Toys for Tickets raised $37,500 and more than 2,500 toys for the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. Pictured: Emerson Drive with KWNR PD Brooks O'Brian and morning man Mitch Kelly.