The Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert will premiere exclusively on Nashville Public Television (NPT) on Jan. 14, featuring performances by the label’s acclaimed roster of stars. NPT/Channel 8 will air the special prior to its March broadcast nationwide on PBS.

Taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House in October for the anniversary event were Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck and Irma Thomas. Also appearing were musical host Minnie Driver, and special guests Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, and Jazz/R&B pianist Henry Butler.

The concert celebrated Rounder’s 40 successful years in the music industry, since being founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin.

The special will also include performances from Steve Martin’s show at the Ryman Auditorium, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s 2008 CMT Crossroads special, and Madeleine Peyroux’s 2009 concert in Los Angeles.

The concert was filmed in high definition by High Five Entertainment, with longtime Rounder Senior VP Brad Paul as Executive Producer.

Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert will premiere exclusively on Nashville Public Television (NPT)  Ch. 8, Jan. 14 at 8:00 p.m.

Jimmy Wayne left Nashville on New Year’s Day and began his walk to Phoenix, AZ to raise awareness about homelessness. Around 100 people gathered on the front lawn of the Monroe Harding foster care center that day to see Wayne off, and nearly 75 of those joined him on the first mile of his journey. A $50,000 donation from Wayne’s label home, The Valory Music Co., jumped started his Meet Me Halfway campaign, which is so named because he is walking halfway across the country.

During the walk, Wayne is sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag on the ground. The singer’s camp admits that single digit temperatures have made travel more challenging than anticipated. “But that’s what the homeless are dealing with each and every winter they go without a home of their own,” explains Wayne, who grew up in foster and group homes, and was occasionally homeless as a teen. Eventually an older couple took him in and gave him a second chance.

Wayne is particularly passionate about homeless youth and young adults, so money raised through his walk will go to organizations that work with the young homeless; Phoenix based HomeBase Youth Services and Nashville’s Monroe Harding.

Over twenty acts will perform at the three-day grand opening celebration for Country Crossing, the new entertainment destination in Dothan, AL being developed by Ronnie Gilley Entertainment. From Jan. 15-17, the free, public event will include performances by Tracy Lawrence, Darryl Worley, Lorrie Morgan and John Anderson, who all have interests in the development.

There is an amphitheater and RV park, as well as several artist themed establishments. In addition to the George Jones Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast, Morgan has a hot chicken restaurant, Anderson’s name is on a cafeteria and Worley has a saloon. 

Set to appear at the grand opening are Joe Nichols, Matt Kennon, Confederate Railroad, Restless Heart, Little Texas, Aaron Tippin, Neal McCoy, The Grascals, Houston County, John Conlee, Pam Tillis, Blackhawk, LoCash Cowboys, Blackberry Smoke, Bellamy Brothers and the Commodores.

Ronnie Gilley Entertainment’s music interests include Stroudavarious Records, Country Crossing Records and BamaJam Records. The company also produces the annual Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music and Arts Festival.