Artist News: Chesnutt’s “Outlaw,” Keith’s USO Tour; Rio’s Run

Mark Chesnutt To Release Outlaw
Mark Chesnutt is getting ready to pay tribute to some of his left-of-center friends on the Saguaro Records release, Outlaw. With a release date of June 22, Outlaw finds Chesnutt working with former Dwight Yoakam producer Pete Anderson and covering the songs of Billy Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings (for whom his eldest son is named).

“When I was first approached to record this CD, my reaction wasn’t just ‘yes,’ but ‘hell, yeah,’” Chesnutt says. “I cut my teeth on this kind of music and it’s an opportunity for me to pay tribute to some of my biggest heroes in country music.”

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Toby Keith Heads Overseas
Show Dog-Universal Music artist Toby Keith is preparing to embark on a 14-day, 4-country USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to visit and entertain troops. Keith will sign autographs, pose for photos and perform for military families in Germany and Korea, and for troops serving on the
front lines. This is Keith’s eighth USO tour.

“My songs for the troops are a little more humorous,” Keith says. “I’ve got my own little group of songs like, ‘She didn’t say, No, she said ‘Hell no!’…things like that, I try to entertain the troops with a smile.”

Since his first USO tour in 2002, Keith has traveled to more than 10 countries. He has performed for more than 140,000 service men and women, many at small remote outposts.

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Diamond Rio Runs For $135K
Diamond Rio’s Team Rio completed the Country Music Marathon in Nashville this past weekend and raised Over $135,500 For Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee in the process.

With skies threatening a severe downpour, Diamond Rio’s Marty Roe and Jimmy Olander led 175 Sixth Annual Team Rio runners and walkers across the finish line at the Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. This year the team raised over $135,500.00, surpassing the $500,00.00 fundraising mark in just six years.

Click here for more information on Team Rio. www.teamrio.org.