Friday News Clips

>>Wynonna Judd has been named the national spokesperon for the North Shore Animal League America’s 2011 Tour for Life. Beginning March 19, the NSALA in partnership with Purina will begin its 11th annual Tour for Life. The five-week initiative includes two mobile adoption units which travel across the country to help save the lives of thousands of animals. Click here for more info.
>>The Victoria Shaw & Friends Concert benefitting the Abintra Montessori School’s Arts Program is tomorrow night (3/5) at LimeLight. The event will feature Keb’ Mo’, Katie Armiger, HLN’s Robin Meade, After Midnight’s Blair Garner, Chuck Jones, Gary Burr, Mitch Malloy, and Alex Call. Doors open at 7 PM, show and silent auction begin at 8 PM. Tickets are $20. For more information on Abintra Montessori School, visit www.Abintra.org.
>>Alison Krauss and Union Station will be performing at the Loveless Barn to benefit the Linden Waldorf School at its annual Gala and Auction on March 26. During the Gala, the band will be performing songs from their catalog as well as traditional music alongside square dancing to fit the Barn Dance theme. The Gala will take place on March 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Loveless Barn (8400 Highway 100, Nashville).  The ticket price ($125) includes the concert, square dancing, local wine and spirit tasting as well as a light dinner. Silent and live auctions will also be highlighted. Visit www.LindenWaldorf.org

>>Great American Country President Ed Hardy has been named one of five Fathers of the Year by the Middle Tennessee chapter of the American Diabetes Association. The ADA partnered with the national Father’s Day Council to raise money for diabetes research through fundraisers like the 9th annual Father of the Year banquet being held June 16 at Nashville’s Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. The other fathers being recognized are Jim Bradford, Ralph Owen, Howard Gentry, Jr., Gif Thornton and Bob Tuke.

>>Average Joe’s duo Montgomery Gentry will headline the 2011 Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon post race bash on April 30. Also taking the stage for the post-race concert at the Bridgestone Arena will be Her & King’s County. The concert is open to the public and tickets are now on sale for $35 through the Bridgestone Arena box office or TicketMaster.
>> For the first time in nearly a decade, the Ryman Auditorium has launched a new website design. The Ryman will be launching a companion iPhone app in the upcoming weeks. Visit www.Ryman.com.
>>Jerrod Niemann will make his debut appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show airing March 10. Coinciding with the March 10 airing of his Ellen appearance, Niemann will also kick-off The Higher Education Tour, co-headlining a string of shows through the end of April with Lee Brice.
>>Stoney Creek Records’ new duo, Thompson Square will perform tonight (3/4) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.