Y'all can celebrate July 4th with Wyonna Judd!! This 4th Judd is set to headline the 25th anniversary of the “Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!” celebration in Riverfront Park in Nashville. Wynonna will perform with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra while the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers will perform the national anthem. Pre-show live music will take place at 3 p.m. The official two-hour concert will kick off at 7 p.m. and will conclude with the South's largest fireworks show at approximately 9:10 p.m., arranged by Pyro Shows and choreographed to music by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. All events are free and open to the public.
Martina McBride is set to make a guest appearance on the ABC-TV series The Bachelorette, Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET.
Kenny Chesney played a free show last night at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas that drew about 25,000 people. The free concert came in the wake of a rain-shortened May 2 performance, though Chesney was not contractually obligated to come back and play again. The considerable production tab for last night's three-hour-plus show was "on Kenny's dime," says promoter Louis Messina, president of TMG/AEG Live. "In my whole career no other artist has ever done that," he tells Billboard.com.
Chesney featured his entire band and full production for the show, which "cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars," Messina says. "This is why this guy is the real entertainer of the year."
The stadium, which is operated in a joint venture with AEG, covered its own expenses for the show, including staffing. "You had 25,000 people at the stadium having a good ol' time, spending a lot of money, but still I'm sure they just made enough to cover their expenses," says Messina. "They didn't get rich off it. They were very cooperative."
The May 2 show drew about 23,500 paid attendance, so even more people returned to the venue for the free show. Messina says only eight people had asked for refunds after the first rain-soaked concert. "Legally we did a show, we didn't have to come back," says Messina. "But Kenny felt like he had to come back."
The show ran longer even than a typical Chesney set on his current Sun City Carnival tour, and include not only Chesney's hits but covers of songs by George Strait, the Eagles, Van Halen and Lynyrd Skynyrd, according to Messina. "It was one heck of a party on a Sunday night," he adds. "This is a story of what the music business should be about, not just greed. Here's a guy that's about the fans, about doing the right thing."
[via Billboard]
Singer/songwriter Veronica Ballestrini is making big noise and firing up message boards on community and country music Internet sites worldwide with her new song “Amazing.” Originally from Waterford, CT, young independent recording artist, Veronica Ballestrini, has found her place on the Internet to successfully launch her music career. Just a few short months ago, Veronica introduced her new music to her community of friends and fans on MySpace and Facebook. Since then, she’s met with a warm and overwhelming welcome--ranking by the numbers with country music fans and social network audiences. Her personal MySpace page views have soared to more than 8 million, with a daily average song play of 12,000, and to date, Veronica’s enjoyed nearly 12 Million song plays total. Keeping pace with the demand, Veronica is set to officially introduce her new single “Amazing” (written by Ballestrini) to country radio. Veronica shot the corresponding music video and it’s already garnered the attention of the national television programmers. Country Music Television (CMT) is one of the first to applaud Veronica’s talents and champion her music. She was immediately welcomed to the CMT.com community with World Premiere presentation of her video “Amazing” and the video was also added into medium rotation on CMT Pure. Veronica’s “Amazing” debuted at No. 6 in the fan-voted “12 Pack Countdown,” (charting above Taylor Swift’s new video “You Belong With Me”) and has held the position for two consecutive weeks. Ballestrini was also featured in CMT.com’s May 8 e-mail newsletter along with Julianne Hough and Reba. Her appearance on the CMT.com page over the past two weeks has encouraged a member count of nearly 300 (positioning her to compete with Swift and Carrie Underwood’s numbers who’ve both been on CMT.com since January.) Music industry executives and peers have taken a stand to support Veronica Ballestrini. She is the featured artist in the 2009 Digital Rodeo CMA Fest Contest and is one of the most in-demand artists on DigitalRodeo.com. Veronica has also made special cameo appearances in music videos from Katie Armiger (“Trail Of Lies”/Cold River Records) and Matt Gary (“The Day’s You Live For”/17 Music Entertainment). She has an endorsement with InTune Guitar Picks (InTuneGP). Veronica has just completed her debut CD, What I'm All About (produced by Cliff Downs--Whiskey Falls/Ashley Gearing) which highlights Ballestrini as a songcrafter. The project also contains cuts by Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw and Downs. What I'm All About is scheduled for a mid-summer 2009 digital release. Veronica is engrossed in her third week of an aggressive 10-week radio tour to celebrate the release of her single. The tour takes her through the New England states and throughout the Midwest. The radio promotion is being spearheaded by Jerry Duncan Promotions, Nashville, TN. Veronica Ballestrini is a new media age recording artist who’s been recognized and introduced to the masses by her fans. Attracting music lovers from all walks of life, young and old, Veronica’s music has undeniable, multi-genre appeal on the Web and the radio. Regardless of where listeners hear Veronica Ballestrini, the staggering numbers are 100% proof that she has a connection with music fans and her music is created for the fans, by the fans and because of the fans.
Keith Urban is set to perform on the American Idol finale Wednesday night, May 20, at 8 p.m. ET, on FOX-TV.
Kenny Chesney popped into Texas Tuesday to tape an episode of the PBS concert series, and in the process, he took a full-circle trip.
For starters, Kenny gave his first public performances of "Boats" and "Somewhere In The Sun," which has a connection to the Lone Star State’s capital.
"‘Somewhere In The Sun' is one of only two songs I've ever written on the road, and I wrote it not a mile from where we were taping," Kenny says. "So in a way, we closed the circle singing it here, because it all started when we were snowed out of our show down here one year."
It was also a full-circle moment because of Kenny’s connection to Willie Nelson. Willie joined Kenny on the title cut of the Lucky Old Sun album, and Kenny produced Willie’s 2008 album Moment Of Forever. Willie was the featured artist when "Austin City Limits" made its debut in the ‘70s.
"I don't really remember the first time I saw Willie Nelson, he always just was," Kenny notes, "but there's a part of me that's pretty certain it was on 'Austin City Limits,' because I saw an awful lot of my heroes on that show. You look around and you realize everyone, from Jerry Lee Lewis to George Jones to Ray Charles right up to now has played here, and you really want to be part of that history."
Elsewhere in the taping, Kenny brought out Mac McAnally for duets on "Down The Road" and "Back Where I Come From" and delivered "Young," "Summertime," "Beer In Mexico" and his current hit, "Out Last Night."
The episode will air in the fall. Meanwhile, Kenny appears on "Late Night With David Letterman" Tuesday, the same day he releases his Greatest Hits II.
[via GAC]
Multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter, producer and philanthropist Tracy Lawrence (Rocky Comfort Records) has set the date for the Tracy Lawrence Homecoming Concert. The annual event is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Foreman Memorial Stadium, in Foreman, Arkansas.
This 15-year old charity event has been close to Tracy’s heart and close to home. Initially organized with the intent to enhance educational opportunities for the children of his hometown and surrounding communities, the mission has grown such that it has raised more than $1,000,000 over the last decade and a half.
This year, in its final year, Lawrence has promised to conclude the affair in style. Joining him on stage will be “Country Rat Pack” members Tracy Byrd and Richie McDonald, as well as RCR label mate, Zona Jones. Other friends in music who have appeared at Tracy’s invitation in the past to support his worthwhile charge include Kenny Chesney, Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, Mark Chesnut, Joe Diffee, Neal McCoy, Clay Walker, [Three Doors Down, Morris Day & the Tymes, andToneLoc among others.
“We’ve had a great time putting on the Homecoming Concerts and the return, to actually see how our efforts have contributed to the strength and education of a new generation, has been so gratifying,” Lawrence said. “Unfortunately, we’ve run our course with this particular event and the production costs have moved us to seek out other alternatives that will benefit the community in the long run. We’re going to regroup to explore more cost-effective ways to raise funds for the kids.”
Proceeds from the Tracy Lawrence Homecoming Concert will benefit the Tracy Lawrence Foundation (Foreman, Arkansas). Established by Lawrence in 1993, the foundation has raised monies through various fundraising events and performances to improve the quality of life for residents in over 35 communities and assisted and enhanced civic group activities in and around Foreman.
Supporting various charitable organizations and educational facilities over the years, the Tracy Lawrence Foundation has been instrumental in purchasing and assembling equipment for a computer lab at Foreman High School, the construction of an outdoor pavilion for Watersprings Ranch (a home for abused and neglected children dedicated to restoring their childhood), and the endowment of two college funds. Other benefactors include the Alzheimer’s Association, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Foreman Public Library.
“We wanted to be able to do things for the school and for the community that would help the town grow,” Lawrence added. “We’ve achieved and exceeded a number of our goals and plan to continue to raise funds and awareness for important causes that affect us all.”
Raised in Foreman, Tracy moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991. Over a 18-year music career, Lawrence has celebrated 17 No. 1 hits, 22 top 10 singles and has sold more than 8 million albums. Tracy successfully launched Rocky Comfort Records in 2006. He received ACM and CMA honors (Vocal Event of The Year) with “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” the first single released by the independent imprint. Tracy is currently working to promote his second release, an inspirational CD, THE ROCK, scheduled to make its debut in June 2009.
Tracy Lawrence Homecoming Concert Details: Location: Foreman High School Memorial Stadium • 700 Rocky Comfort St., Foreman, AR Tickets: Limited Reserved Seating - $25.00 / General Admission - $15.00 Tickets are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased in advance at the following locations: Bruton’s Western Store, Broken Bow, OK Corner Pharmacy, Ashdown, AR Cavander’s Boot City, Texarkana, TX Tracy Lawrence Fund Office, Foreman, AR or by calling 870-542-7557 Gates: Open at 5:30PM • Show begins at 7:00PM
For more information about Tracy Lawrence and the Tracy Lawrence Foundation, please visit http://tracylawrence.com.
Jennifer Nettles has been placed on a 10-day vocal rest due to a "viral tonsil condition," according to Sugarland's website. Currently opening for Keith Urban's new tour, it is not apparent when the duo will be back on stage.
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