Artist TidBits Thursday

Jo Dee Messina has announced her A Million Doors campaign to help raise $2.3 million for a non-profit school in Nashville, the Holy Trinity Montessori, by donating proceeds from the sale of a new song “Carry Me.” She was also working on setting up a concert tour to benefit the school–and a Saturday, June 25 show in Pittsburg, Kansas was confirmed, but funds from that show are now earmarked to help victims of the recent violent tornados that devastated the region. For details visit www.jodeemessina.com
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Frankie Ballard is debuting the music video for “A Buncha Girls” today (6/2). Directed by Jim Wright and filmed in Venice Beach, CA the video features Ballard narrating for a group of girls taking a road trip to the beach and the adventures they have along the way on this summer day. The video can be seen online and on GAC and CMT Pure Country. Ballard is currently opening for Taylor Swift on the North American leg of her Speak Now World Tour 2011. Ballard kicked off the tour this weekend for a sold-out crowd in Omaha, NE and Des Moines, IA. He will be playing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (6/2, 6/3) and Orlando, FL (6/4).

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Show Dog – Universal Music recording artist Joe Nichols has officially joined the Roper Apparel and Footwear family, formalizing a long-term endorsement agreement with the popular clothing and footwear company. Gary Mandelbaum, president of Karman, Inc., home of western and lifestyle brands Roper Apparel & Footwear and Stetson Apparel & Boots, explained, “Roper has had a long tradition of sponsoring cowboys and rodeo personalities and we felt it was time to include country music in our endorsee mix.”
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Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen has partnered with Music City Roots Live from the Loveless Cafe, Whole Foods Grocery, and Blackstone Brewing Company to award one winner with a Dirty Kitchen Experience giveaway. Solivan and band will arrive at the lucky winner’s home, accompanied by Music City Roots, and set up the Roots set in the winner’s home. Music City Roots will bring the party favors and Frank Solivan will personally cook dinner for the winner and 25 friends and perform a concert for them. The evening will be filmed and a DVD of the event given to the winner at the end of the night. In addition, the whole world can watch, as the entire party will stream live online. Visit http://musiccityroots.com/contest for details.