Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

The unprecedented nine concerts in seven days Garth Brooks put on in Nashville December 16-22 has raised $5 million through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for flood relief following devastating flooding in Nashville in May. The nine sold-out concerts were made a reality by the effort of organizers and countless volunteers from across the Nashville community who donated their time and talent.

“Our community is indebted to Garth Brooks for not only providing nine amazing concerts and bringing thousands of people to Music City, but for the amazing generosity he has shown for flood victims who are rebuilding their lives,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

“Playing music has never felt better or ever felt more right…I am really honored to have been a part of this happening,” Garth said.

Some of the funds will go to The River Fund, the charitable fund established within The Community Foundation by Garth to help provide aid for flood victims through grants to nonprofit organizations. Grants from The River Fund have already be reward to Hands On Nashville, The United Methodist Committee on Relief – Tennessee Conference (UMCOR), and The Community Resource Center.

ShareThis

Tim McGraw performs "Southern Voice" at "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards," on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on the ABC Television Network. Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Kellie Pickler are the latest additions to the artist lineup for 2010 CMA Music Festival, which will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13 in Nashville, Tenn.

Previously announced artists include Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban,  Zac Brown Band and Carrie Underwood. All of the announced artists will perform during the Nightly Concerts at LP Field.

This will be McGraw’s first appearance at the event since 2001, when he was a surprise guest during Kenny Chesney’s performance as part of the Nightly Concerts at LP Field and the event was still known as Fan Fair. His last announced appearance was in 2000, the last year Fan Fair was held at the Nashville Fairgrounds. He has participated in the event eight times since his Fan Fair debut in 1993. McGraw has won 11 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 2001; Male Vocalist in 1999 and 2000; Album of the Year in 1998 (A Place in the Sun) and 1999 (Everywhere); and Musical Event of the Year in 2007 on “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with Tracy Lawrence and Chesney.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tim back to CMA Music Festival in 2010,” said Steve Moore, CMA Board Chairman.

Few superstars have been as supportive of the event as Jackson, who has made 15 appearances since his Festival debut in 1990. Jackson last performed during the Nightly Concerts at LP Field in 2008. He has received 16 CMA Awards, including three Entertainer of the Year trophies (1995, 2002, 2003); two Male Vocalist wins (2002, 2003); and two Album of the Year Awards (1994 for Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, and 2002 for Drive).

“We appreciate the tremendous support that Alan has always shown to CMA Music Festival and the fans,” said Moore.

Currington has participated in the event four times since his Festival debut in 2004 as part of the Daytime Concerts at Riverfront Park. He last performed on the Nightly Concerts at LP Field in 2007. Currington has received three CMA Award nominations, including two in 2009 for Single and Music Video of the Year, both for “People Are Crazy.”

Pickler performed before an intimate audience at a nightclub as part of filming for the Festival television special during last year’s event, but her last appearance as part of the Nightly Concerts was in 2008. She made her CMA Music Festival debut in 2007. Pickler has received two CMA Award nominations: both in the New Artist of the Year category (2007, when it was called the Horizon Award, and 2008 under its new name). She has also served as an active spokesperson for CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program and participated in a delivery of new musical instruments to a Nashville middle school and at the presentation of the 2009 CMA Music Festival contribution in December.

Now in its 39th year, CMA Music Festival began as Fan Fair in 1972 as a unique celebration of the relationship between Country Music artists and their fans in the heart of Music City USA. More than 2,000 Country acts, from the legends and superstars to today’s rising hit makers and hopefuls, have lent their time and talent to the event over the decades.

The artists participate for free, and in appreciation, CMA donates half the net proceeds of the Festival to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through the Keep the Music Playing program. To date, $3.3 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies, providing thousands of Metro Nashville Public Schools students with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own, and giving many of them a strong reason to remain in school.

ShareThis

Lady Antebellum performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville Friday, June 12 during the 2009 CMA Music Festival. Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band along with the previously announced Carrie Underwood are the first artists of 2010 to join a legendary group of acts who have performed at CMA Music Festival, which began as Fan Fair in 1972.

More than 2,000 Country acts, including the superstars of the format, have lent their time and talent to the event over the decades. It is a legacy that began 39 years ago with legends including Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette thanking fans at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.

The Festival is an annual touchstone that connects the most ardent, passionate performers in the format with the superstars who came before them on behalf of the fans who support them.

CMA Music Festival is a unique celebration of the relationship between Country Music artists and their fans in the heart of Music City USA. The artists participate for free, and in appreciation, CMA donates half the net proceeds of the Festival to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through the Keep the Music Playing program.

To date, $3,312,053 has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies, providing thousands of Metro Nashville Public Schools students with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own, and giving many of them a strong reason to remain in school.

The 2010 CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13. Nashville’s signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. This unparalleled celebration of America’s music draws thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville.

2010 will live up to its lauded reputation with the first list of performers announced for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field:

• Jason Aldean, received his first CMA Award nomination in 2007 for the Horizon Award. A year later, the Award was renamed, the New Artist of the Year, and Aldean was nominated in the coveted category once again.
• Lady Antebellum, the reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year, who has received a total of three CMA Awards.
• Martina McBride, who was named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year four times (1999, 2002-2004) and is tied with McEntire for the most wins in that category. She has a total of five CMA Awards.
• Reba McEntire, a former CMA Entertainer of the Year and four-time Female Vocalist of the Year, who has won a total of six CMA Awards.
• Brad Paisley, the reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year (for three consecutive years, 2007-2009), who has received a total of 13 CMA Awards.
• Rascal Flatts, who has won a total of seven CMA Awards, including six consecutive Vocal Group of the Year Awards (2003-2008).
• Darius Rucker, the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year.
• Carrie Underwood, who was named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for three consecutive years (2006-2008) and has received a total of five CMA Awards.
• Keith Urban, the reigning CMA Musical Event of the Year Award winner (along with Paisley for their duet “Start a Band”). A former Entertainer of the Year (2006), Urban has received a total of six CMA Awards.
• Zac Brown Band, who received their first three CMA nominations in 2009, with lead singer Zac Brown receiving an additional nomination as songwriter.

Underwood was previously announced as a performer for this year’s Festival on Feb. 5 after she surprised one her biggest fans, fifteen-year old Riley Ahlstrand, with a phone call. Ahlstrand had written CMA asking if Underwood would be performing at the event this year, and the singer called to personally give her the good news.

“This is an amazing collection of superstar artists who perform a broad spectrum of Country Music styles,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chairman of the Board. “Our attendees are going to love the lineup.”

ShareThis

Riley Ahlstrand proudly displays a piece of her Carrie Underwood memorabilia. An avid, CMA Music Festival and Underwood fan, Ahlstrand was the first to find out Carrie Underwood will be among the stars performing at this year’s CMA Music Festival. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

A trembling 15-year-old fan was the first to find out that Carrie Underwood will be among the stars performing at this year’s CMA Music Festival in Nashville.

Underwood took time out of her packed Super Bowl rehearsal schedule, where she is singing the National Anthem on Sunday, to call 15-year-old Riley Ahlstrand with the news. Ahlstrand, an ardent fan of the Festival, was being interviewed by a news crew from the Nashville ABC affiliate (WKRN) when reporter Brad Schmitt’s phone rang and he handed it to the wide-eyed teen.

On the line was Underwood to tell the nearly speechless girl that she would be performing at the Festival this year; and Ahlstrand heard it first.

“I always look forward to the excitement of CMA Music Festival,” said Underwood after the call. “Its fans like Riley that make the week so much fun.”

“This is the best thing that has ever happened, said Ahlstrand, with tears still streaming down her face. “I couldn’t have dreamed anything cooler than this!”

Ahlstrand came to WKRN’s attention after she sent an email to CMA: “My dream is to meet Carrie Underwood, and the CMA Music Festival is my absolute favorite thing…I want more than anything for Carrie Underwood to appear at CMA Music Festival this year. Thank you so much for everything that you do, and for putting on such a spectacular week June 10-13! This truly is the ultimate fan experience.”

“CMA Music Festival is about the fans and this was a terrific way to kick off what is sure to be a star-packed roster of artists performing this year,” said Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. “We have a long history of surprising our fans and creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and this is only the beginning.”

The 2010 CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13. Nashville’s signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. This unparalleled celebration of America’s music draws thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. CMA Music Festival was dubbed the “crown jewel of Country Music Festivals” by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s 2004, 2006, and 2008 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year.

ShareThis

George Strait photo courtesy of MCA Nashville. Reba McEntire photo courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

The “King of Country” is back! 17x CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee George Strait will kick off his arena tour early next year and this time, he’s bringing along one very special lady – Reba McEntire.

The superstar acts performed together for the first time in many years for a sold-out crowd at the Cowboy’s Stadium inaugural event in Dallas.  Selling out in less than an hour, fans and critics proclaimed the show one hot ticket!  The concert was hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “an extravaganza” that “showcased Strait at the pinnacle of his musical game” and Ft. Worth Star Telegram wrote “Reba McEntire’s performance was a breathtaking master’s class in effortless brilliance.”

With 57 number one hits, 33 multi-platinum albums and countless sold-out shows year after year, Strait who holds the record for the most CMA wins and a record 17 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominations, is known for giving fans exactly what they want and expect.  This year will be no exception.

“I can’t wait to get back out there and perform some of my new favorites from Twang along with hits the fans already love,” says Strait. “And with my friend Reba, we will make it a really spectacular night.”

2010 TOUR DATES

It looks like the superstar guy/girl tour is the in thing this year.  Just last month Martina McBride and Trace Adkins announced their “Shine All Night Tour” and now George and Reba set the dates for what will no-doubt be a huge tour as well.  Leave us a comment and tell us what other dynamic duo you would like to see hit the road together!

ShareThis

Martina McBride and Trace Adkins will join forces for the 2009-2010 Shine All Night Tour.

She’s one hot mama and he’s a tall drink of water. His rich baritone voice can bring the house down while her soaring, unparalleled vocals lift the roof off.  He’s garnered legions of fans with his anthems that inspire and champion America’s heroes and she’s made a name worldwide as a premier female vocalist with hits that entertain, raise awareness and deliver hope.

Together, country music superstars Martina McBride and Trace Adkins have created an exceptional evening flavored with boisterous revelry, sexy romance and honest reflection.  With their countless hits and fan favorites combined, fans will be dancing in the aisles to “God-Fearin’ Women” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” fist waving to the likes of “This One’s For the Girls” and “Songs About Me,” holding on tight with “I Just Call You Mine” and “All I Ask for Anymore” and remembering what matters most with “In My Daughter’s Eyes” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.”

Add heartbreak with “Every Light in the House” and “Concrete Angel,” a touch of vengeance with “Independence Day” and “Fightin’ Words” and this event covers the gamut of emotional release.

The Shine All Night Tour presented by SunnyD ®,  also sponsored in part by GAC, kicks off November 20 and covers 40 cities across the U.S. through the spring of 2010.  Both McBride and Adkins will each perform full-length shows. In a few select cities, Blake Shelton and The Lost Trailers will be joining McBride ensuring that every night will be packed with great music and fun times — both on stage and in the audience.

Check tour dates & find out more about the Shine All Night Tour »

“I want fans to leave here knowing they got more than their money’s worth,” says Martina. “My goal is to have this on their list of memorable nights for years to come.”

“I think this tour is going to give people a lot more bang for their buck,” says Adkins.  ”And that’s important –especially in today’s economy.”

Martina and Trace are really going all out to promote this tour. Recently, the pair starred in a series of irreverent TV commercials which will be featured on GAC, local television and online. In the spots, the two go for the laughs at their own and each other’s expense and demonstrate a chemistry that may surprise those who have never experienced their witty antics and off-handed senses of humor.   Click here to watch the first commercial online »

To coincide with the tour announcement, Martina is launching a redesigned website (MartinaMcBride.com) that offers more interactivity and features content as well as ticket presales exclusively for fan club members. Eager fans can also access ticket presales and other offers through TraceAdkins.com.

Trace Adkins is also sponsored by BC Powder.

ShareThis