By Molly
The Colon Cancer Alliance, a national non-profit dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer, will present the 2nd annual Stars Go Blue For Colon Cancer benefit on March 23 at 7:00 PM at Nashville’s Loveless Barn. The concert will feature intimate acoustic performances by country songwriters including Rodney Crowell, Gretchen Peters, Mike Reid, Barry Walsh and Peter Cooper. The benefit was inspired and created by four-time Grammy nominee Charlie Kelley who was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer in 2008 only three weeks after his wife, GAC host Nan Kelley, successfully completed treatment for a different form of cancer. After making a full recovery, Charlie Kelley resolved to help others battling with the disease. Event proceeds will benefit both the Colon Cancer Alliance and newly established Blue Note Fund. Founded by Kelley, the Blue Note Fund gives small monetary gifts to colon cancer patients in need. General admission is $35. Exclusive blue ribbon tables are also available for $500 and include front row tables (four seats per table). Tickets are available by clicking here. For those who missed last year’s event, the 2009 Stars Go Blue For Colon Cancer benefit concert featuring Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Ricky Skaggs, Hal Ketchum, Jamie O’Neal, Peter Cooper, LynnMarie Rink and Charlie Kelley is available on DVD. 50% of the net proceeds from the Colon Cancer Alliance benefit DVD will be donated directly to the Blue Note Fund. To buy dvd, click here.
By Molly
The Country Music Hall of Fame has announced its newest inductees: Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill and Don Williams who bring the CMHF’s list to 112. Jimmy Dean, known to many for his line of breakfast foods, has had a significant impact on country music. He wrote and performed “Big Bad John” which earned him a Grammy Award in 1961 for top country record, he was the first guest host of NBC’s The Tonight Show and later hosted The Jimmy Dean Show which is credited with introducing George Jones, Roger Miller and Buck Owens. Don Williams performed a series of chart-topping hits in the 1970′ including “I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me.” which was the top country single in 1974. Sherrill is known for adding unique musical accompaniment to his productions. In addition to producing, he was named BMIs Country Songwriter of the Century in 1999. Sherrill produced the music of Ferlin Husky who brought a unique sound to his music. Husky’s song “Gone”, became a number 1 country hit for 10 weeks and reached number 4 on the pop charts. Husky also recorded comedy records as alter ego Simon Crum. Husky and Dean were elected to the Hall in the Veterans Era category, Williams was elected in the Modern Era category and Sherrill will be inducted in the non-performer category.
By Molly
You better be wearing the green when you go to historic downtown Franklin on Saturday, March 14 when the whole town celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with Feile (pro: “FAY-LA”) Franklin – a celtic festival on historic Main Street! Streets will be filled with Irish music, dance, food and fun. It’s a free street festival with a ticketed imported beer tasting in the Main Street area shops. The street will be filled with roasted potatoes, fried potatoes, turkey legs, fish and chips and all things Irish. At night, specialty and imported beers will be sampled at the shops. More than two dozen Irish bands and dance groups will be featured on two stages throughout the event. All proceeds will go to Downtown Franklin Association for promotion and continued revitalization of the historic district, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and designated by the National Trust as a Great American Main Street.
By Molly
March 10th, on stage at Music City Roots the following purveyors of Americana music will be live at Loveless Barn: Pokey LaFarge, The Apache Relay, Cadillac Sky, The Band of Heathens and The Gibson Brothers. Doors open at 6:00, show starts at 7:00. Where else are you going to see such a great show for $10 / $5 students? It’s a beautiful rustic setting with all the amenities one would hope for while enjoying a concert – food and beverage are available. So come on out Wednesday night and enjoy super evening of music, food, and kinship with all the fellow concert goers. Better yet, bring your kin with you! For more info, click here.
By Molly
Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller and Kathy Mattea are among the all-star line-up of musicians set to perform at the May 19 event at Ryman Auditorum called “Music Saves Mountains.” All proceeds from the benefit concert will be donated to the Natural Resources Defense Council for their campaign to end mountaintop removal in Appalachia.
By Molly
Brooks & Dunn have announced that the last show of their The Last Rodeo tour will be here in Nashville and will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame. The concert will be held August 10 at the Bridgestone Arena (formerly Sommet Center). The event is being billed as a special evening to include not yet announced “friends” who will be joining them for their final duo performance.
By Molly
The Nashville International Airport just sent out a travel advisory for Spring Break with the first two pieces of advice being “Arrive early” and “Be aware of parking lot construction.” If you ride the ATRunner, you don’t have to worry about that! The ATRunner will drop you off and pick you up right at the terminal so you don’t have to worry about parking hassles or building in extra time to allow for parking further away from the terminal. To learn more about the ATRunner schedule and fares, click here.
By Molly
The list of headliners at the 2010 CMA Music Festival scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13 in Nashville just keeps getting better! Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Kellie Pickler and superstar Tim McGraw, who will make his first appearance at the Festival since 2001, will all be performing at the event. These greats join Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band. All of the announced artists will perform during the nightly concerts at LP Field. You’re not going to want to miss this! For CMA Music Fest packages, click here.
By Molly
Barenaked Ladies are coming to the US on tour to promote their new album called All In Good Time and they are making Nashville their first stop! The tour kick-off show is planned for Ryman Auditorium on May 10. Tickets go on sale today at 10 am.
By Molly
Blake Shelton has announced his first-ever headlining performance at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Jessica Harp, formerly of the The Wreckers, will open the show scheduled for March 18th. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, March 5th.