Cropper Concert Benefits T.J. Martell

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

Play It Steve: A 50-Year Musical Journey with Steve Cropper will be held at the Ryman Auditorium on Wed., Nov. 1. Cropper will be joined by John Anderson, Ray Benson, T. Graham Brown, James Burton, Felix Cavaliere, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Mark Farner, John Kay, Delbert McClinton, Randy Owen, Lee Roy Parnell, Trick Pony, Danny Shirley, B.J. Thomas, and Ray Vega. Peter Gallagher will emcee. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets start at $50 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets. Proceeds benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. VIP tickets ($300) are available by calling (615) 256-2002, which includes one premiere reserved seat, a pre-concert reception at Merchant's Restaurant, an after party at B.B. King's Blues Club, and a gift bag.

ABC.com Counts Down to CMA Awards

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

The Countdown to Country Music's Biggest Night will be available on ABC.com now through Nov. 7. A new show will premiere every day leading up to The 40th Annual CMA Awards with coverage including nine daily shows, one live event, and two post event videos. Countdown to Country Music's Biggest Night will have a daily four minute show hosted by Dean Sams of Lonestar, with field reporting by former Miss Tennessee Ashley Eicher, and will also feature artist interviews, and coverage of "Nashville Celebrates Country" week. On Nov. 6 ABC.com will feature a live red carpet show from 4-7 p.m. This coverage will also be available at CMAAwards.com and will be distributed to CMA's mobile partners and ABC affiliates.

Hall of Fame Hosts Ray Charles Panel

Sarah Gilbert – 10/27/2006

On Sun., Oct. 29 The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host a panel discussion titled Friendship: The Making of Ray Charles’ No. 1 Country Duets Album. Panelists include Rick Blackburn, Buddy Emmons, Margie Hunt, Ron “Snake” Reynolds and Ricky Skaggs at 2 p.m. in the Ford Theater. On Sat., Oct. 28 the Museum will also host a Saturday Songwriter Session at noon with Karyn Rochelle and a Family Program: Hip-Hop Dance class, which is free for ages 12 and up. Reservations are required for the 1 p.m. family program. www.countrymusichalloffame.com or (615) 416-2001.

CMA Awards Reunion

Sarah Gilbert – 10/27/2006

An upcoming CMA Awards Reunion will honor all past CMA Award winners as well as this year's current nominees. The invitation-only event is part of the "Nashville Celebrates Country" week of activities and will take place Sun., Nov. 5 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Co-sponsored by Hallmark Cards and The Biography Channel, the CMA Awards Reunion was the brainchild of the CMA Artist Relations Committee which includes Co-Chairs Kix Brooks and Connie Bradley, as well as Trace Adkins, Jay DeMarcus, Troy Gentry and John Rich, who all felt the 40th Anniversary of the CMA Awards was the perfect time to gather all the past winners together and celebrate.

ACM Moves Offices

Sarah Gilbert – 10/27/2006

The ACM will be closed today (10/27) through Wed., Nov. 1 while the organization moves offices. Starting Mon., Oct. 30 the ACM can be reached at 5500 Balboa Blvd., Suite 200; Encino, CA 91316 and phone (818) 788-8000 and fax (818) 788-0999. Extension numbers for staff members will remain the same. E-mail addresses will not change and will be active throughout the move; if needed please contact staffers via e-mail.

Charlie Daniels To Open ICM Awards

Sarah Gilbert – 10/27/2006

Blue Hat recording artist Charlie Daniels will open the 12th Annual Inspirational Country Music Award Show. He will perform “Preachin', Prayin', Singin'” on the award show being held Nov. 9 at the historic Acuff Theatre. Others scheduled to perform include Randy Owen, Jimmy Wayne, Blue County, and Lonestar.

CMT.com Covers CMA Awards

Sarah Gilbert – 10/27/2006

CMT.com will cover the Nov. 6 CMA Awards with its dedicated fan site, streaming news and live red carpet coverage. For the ninth consecutive year, CMT.com offers in-depth news coverage, photo galleries, interactive games, fan voting, video and Radio CMA, a web broadcast featuring music by current nominees and past winners. CMT.com will also capture events leading up to the awards with daily newscasts beginning Fri., Nov. 3 on CMT Loaded. In addition, CMT Loaded goes to the red carpet for a one-hour special on Nov. 6 hosted by Lance Smith, Katie Cook and Kellie Pickler.

Nashville Star Regional Finals

Sarah Gilbert – 10/27/2006

The Nashville Star regional finals will be held Nov. 1-3 at The Stage in downtown Nashville. The 10 finalists for this season's television series will be chosen by judges Anastasia Brown and Cowboy Troy from 56 contestants who have won regional competitions. The event, from 6-10 p.m. each night, is free and open to the public and is part of "Nashville Celebrates Country" week.

New Book/CD From Buddy Killen, Edie Hand

Sarah Gilbert – 10/27/2006

A new book and CD package by Buddy Killen and author/radio and television personality Edie Hand will be released Oct. 31. A Country Music Christmas: Songs, Memories, Family Photographs and Recipes from America’s Favorite Country and Gospel Stars will be published by Broadway Books. A portion of the proceeds from the book sales will benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, and the Edie Hand Foundation.

Gretchen Goes 5X Platinum, Writes Book

Sarah Gilbert – 10/26/2006

Gretchen Wilson’s debut album Here For The Party has been certified five times platinum just days before the Oct. 31 release of her first book, Redneck Woman – Stories from My Life. Each new book comes with a free DVD including the song “Heaven Help Me.” Wilson will make numerous stops to promote her latest venture, including performing Thurs., Nov. 2 on Good Morning America and Nov. 3 appearances on Live With Regis & Kelly, the Rachel Ray Show and a feature on ABC’s 20/20. Here For The Party was released May 11, 2004.