Music Row Rally Raises $1340 & 150 lbs of Food
(L-R) Jeremy McComb, Joey + Rory and Craig Wiseman
The first ever Music Row Rally (9/25) had Craig Wiseman and friends stationed at both ends of Music Row collecting money and canned food from cars passing by. On hand to help the emergency food supply in Middle Tennessee were the Second Harvest Food Bank volunteers, Wiseman’s Big Loud Shirt gang, and artists Joey + Rory, and Jeremy McComb. Overall, $1,340 in cash donations and 150 lbs. of food donations were raised in support of their efforts.
The 5th Annual Stars For Second Harvest Benefit concert, also raising money for the hungry, is set for tonight (9/29) at the Ryman Auditorium. Hosted by Wiseman, the concert will also feature Rodney Atkins, Phil Vassar, Heidi Newfield, Luke Bryan, Joey + Rory, Jeffrey Steele, Tony Mullins and comedian Gary Mule Deer in an unplugged acoustic style show. www.secondharvestmidtn.org.
Craig Wiseman, Joey + Rory and Jeremy McComb along with the Big Loud Shirt, Big Loud Bucks, and Second Harvest volunteers.
Luke Bryan will promote his new album Doin’ My Thing with an industrious tour visiting nine cities in nine days. The launch for his second album will kick-off Oct. 5 in Statesboro, Georgia, with Bryan’s previously announced Farm Tour benefit show.
Brenda Lee, Ray Walker (the Jordanaires), Manuel and the families of Loretta Lynn and Merle Kilgore are the latest additions to the growing list of celebrities participating in tomorrow’s (9/29) dedication of the Nashville Music Garden. The event will be emceed by Ralph Emery, with Barbara Mandrell and Lynn Anderson serving as celebrity hosts. The star-studded open-to-the-public ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Hall of Fame Park, located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun (across from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum).
The IBMA’s World of Bluegrass opened today in Nashville with events including a special media luncheon to announce The Grascals securing sponsorship by Mobil Delvac heavy duty diesel engine oil. Band member Jamie Johnson said it best when he proclaimed, “We’re the new Jed Clampett of bluegrass—we struck oil in our backyard!”
Patty Griffin has long been a respected part of the Americana/folk community, but recent collaborations with mainstream artists Dierks Bentley and Jack Ingram should raise her profile among country fans.
The free download is to raise awareness about his nationwide “Miles & Music For Kids” fundraiser, which is sponsored by CMT One Country and benefits local hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network. The fundraiser hits Nashville on Sun., Oct. 11 with a motorcycle ride and performances by Bentley, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Wynonna, Heidi Newfield and Michelle Branch. Other cities set to host “Miles & Music For Kids” events are Bentley’s hometown of Phoenix, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago.
Meanwhile, Jack Ingram is introducing the ballad “Seeing Stars,” featuring Griffin, to radio this week. It is off his latest album Big Dreams & High Hopes.
Tom McEntee, a longtime music businessman best know as founder of Country Radio Seminar, passed away in Florida on Sept. 24, 2009. After starting CRS, now in its 41st year, McEntee spent a decade as the organization’s Executive Chairman/President.
Carrie Underwood will be honored with the prestigious Harmony Award at the white-tie Nashville Symphony Ball on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Harmony Award is presented annually to individuals who support the varied kinds of music that exist in Nashville, and contribute to the development of the city’s musical culture.
Joe Nichols was surrounded by WIVK Believers when he performed at the Cotton Eyed Joe in Knoxville. The Universal Records South artist will release his first album in almost two years on Oct. 27. Old Things New, features his hit single “Believers.” Pictured (L-R) are: WIVK air personalities Josh Blanchard and Ashley King; WIVK Promotions Cindy Arnold; Nichols; air personality Jack Ryan and WIVK OM/PD Mike Hammond.
