NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville celebrity gossip

Big Machine & Outnumber Hunger Reach for Rewards..You CAN Help

I may be behind in my things to do; but the work to support and erase hunger never stops.  Since the inception in 2012 of the Outnumber Hunger program 6,825,375 meals have been secured, not too far from the goal of up to ten million that has been set. Can they meet and exceed such a large undertaking?  I believe they can.

In April of this year the first ever Outnumber Hunger LIve concert event took place in Las Vegas on Friday night, during the 2013 Academy of Country Music weekend.  The event brought awareness for the Outnumber Hunger Program in their quest to secure meals for its network of local food banks. This marks the second year that Big Machine Record Label is working alongside Feeding America, and General Mills to reach their goals.  There is also no shortage of support from the label's roster of artists which include The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Florida Georgia Line, Cassadee Pope and Greg Bates who put on a wonderful night of music to kick off the 2013 campaign.  There will also be other support from artists such as Rascal Flatts, Reba, the Eli Young Band, Thomas Rhett, Raelynn, The Mavericks and Ella Mae Bowen throughout the campaign.

But after all the glitz and glamour the work still continues.  As part of the 42nd Annual CMA Fest taking place in Nashville June 6-9 country artist Thomas Rhett has invited fans to volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank for the 2nd consecutive year.  Volunteers will be participating in helping sort and pack food alongside Thomas to help hungry Middle Tennesseans . This event filled up very quickly and it will give those involved a chance to learn more about hunger issues throughout Middle and West Tennessee followed by sorting food for Second Harvest's Emergency Food Box Program.

There is a misconception that hunger only relates to the very poor. This has led people to think it could not possibly be someone they know like a neighbor or a family in their church or childrens school.  Yet it is true; it could be anyone you least expect. Please take the time to read these startling facts and dig deep into the ways you can help this program.  It is so easy and totally affordable. You purchase certain products with the Outnumber Hunger banner on the front; find the code in the back of the packaging; go to the website; enter your code; follow the instructions and you are done.  You will feel so good knowing you helped.  http://www.outnumberhunger.com/hunger-in-america

There are many programs to help fight hunger which are very easy to work into your life. You don't have to be a big star to help; the bottom line is: JUST HELP DO WHAT YOU CAN...The rewards outweigh the awards.

 

(Pictures by Deb Sixta)

 

Sara Mann’s Country-Infused ‘Lullabies’ Is A Welcome Break From Life – Review

Sara Mann is a woman of many musical influences. She has worked with Miley Cyrus and Pop/R&B American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee as a backing vocalist, yet her own music weaves folk, country, pop, jazz and blues among others in a complex tapestry of serene sounds. Her new record, 'Lullabies', is a perfect concept for the kind of music Sara creates; after losing a child to ARPKD (Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease), and being diagnosed at the time she was ready to give birth to twins, she decided she had to share her story, and raise awareness about kidney disease. 'Lullabies' is what came out of this tragic occurrence in her life, in the hope of bringing comfort to all of those who are living with kidney disease, or have lost a loved one to the disease, at the same time raising funds and awareness for the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation.

The music is gentle and comforting, full of melodic piano, expertly picked acoustic guitar and creates a much-needed space to pause and consider life. Some songs, like 'Big Day Little Boat', will fill your senses and make you gently move to the swung beat and fuller production, others, like 'You Belong To Me', you’ll want to listen to alone in order to fully appreciate the deep thoughts the song will provoke. Full of covers, some you’ll recognise, others you won’t. 'Baby Mine' is a particularly nice rendition with some pretty electric guitar, and fits Sara’s understated, warm vocals, in addition to the Eric Clapton track 'Tears In Heaven' (which features Billy Ray Cyrus, a good friend of Sara’s who supports the cause). This track is one of the album’s highlights, and clearly a great deal of care has been taken over covering such a famous and revered song. Sara’s and Billy Ray’s harmonies work really well here, and the song building over time is very effective.

'Lullabies' is an album to take time over, and requires a quiet space in order to fully appreciate its gentle approach and meaningful songs. And of course, it is perfect for its intended use; sending children straight to peaceful sleep. If you’re looking for an album to create a sea of calm in your life and allow you to explore your thoughts at leisure, this is the one for you. Plus, it’s all for as good cause.

You can visit Sara Mann’s website here, and follow her on Twitter @SaraMann. You can also buy ‘Lullabies’ on iTunes, and donate separately to the PKD Foundation here.

Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog it's For The Country Record, and you can follow me on twitter @planmymistake. You can email me at vickye.countrymusic@gmail.com.

 

Kenny Chesney Establishes Boston Fund

Kenny Chesney has established Spread The Love: A Fund For Boston through Boston Medical Center to pay for prosthetics and post-acute care needed by Boston Marathon bombing victims. Launched with an undisclosed "sizable" donation from Chesney, the fund will also receive proceeds from sales of the song "Spread The Love" from his new album, as well as direct donations. "Music can be healing," Chesney says. "When you’re at your lowest, it can inspire – the way these athletes, their friends, family and the city of Boston inspire me. I want to give back to the ones who need it, but also to heal all of us a little bit. So, spread the love."

"BMC cared for many of the patients most seriously injured in the Boston Marathon bombings, patients who have a long journey of recovery ahead," says Kate Walsh, BMC President/CEO. "Over time, the spotlight will fade, but their needs will go on. We thank Mr. Chesney for stepping forward to make sure these and all the Marathon patients have all the support they need over the long haul."

The song can be purchased here and direct donations can be made here.

Dolly Parton gives fans a free song to benefit the chestnut

 

Dolly Parton has recorded a new song for the American Chestnut Foundation and is offering it as a free download to fans. 

If you visit ACF.org, you can download "Oh, Chestnut Tree, a song dedicated to the American chestnut.

According to ACF, "the American chestnut tree was an essential component of the entire eastern US ecosystem. A late-flowering, reliable, and productive tree, unaffected by seasonal frosts, it was the single most important food source for a wide variety of wildlife from bears to birds. Rural communities depended upon the annual nut harvest as a cash crop to feed livestock. The chestnut lumber industry was a major sector of rural economies. Chestnut wood is straight-grained and easily worked, lightweight and highly rot-resistant, making it ideal for fence posts, railroad ties, barn beams and home construction, as well as for fine furniture and musical instruments."

NRA Country gives back with Chuck Wicks (from the mailbag)

Make plans to join NRA Country and Chuck Wicks on Tuesday, April 23^rd at 7:30pm eastern for an exclusive online StageIt concert. The intimate show will feature a live Q&A and performances of music from Chuck’s brand new EP, ROUGH. The NRA Country Gives Back event is FREE and all artist proceeds from the tip jar will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

“Cancer has hit home in my family more than once and I’m grateful for the chance to give back to the cause with NRA Country through our StageIt concert.”

The top 3 fan tippers will receive an autographed copy of Chuck's new EP, ROUGH, as well as a merchandise item from the NRA Country store. The top tipper will also receive a personal phone call from Chuck immediately following the StageIt show.

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear some great new music for a great cause with NRA Country Gives Back and Chuck Wicks! Check HERE for information on how to reserve your free ticket!

Kenny Chesney shows Newtown victims some love

My radio buddy (and sometimes NashvilleGab helper), Broadway, sent me this story yesterday that tells of a nice deed Kenny Chesney recently did after learning about one little girl who died during the Sandy Hook shootings back in December. 

Kenny Chesney got a call one night from pal Anderson Cooper telling him about one of the Newtown shooting victims, a little girl who LOVED Kenny and his music. Anderson had just interviewed her parents and they told him that before they lowered her white casket into the ground, they took a black Sharpie marker and wrote on it, “Kenny Chesney, No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems”. 

Anderson asked Kenny if he could call the parents and talk to them. Kenny did one better. He called and talked to them but also invited them, along with several other families, to his Mohegan Sun shows.  He met privately with them, heard their stories, and came away with this token:

Woman with too much goodwill in her system ... help Gab friend Elizabeth raise money for cystic fibrosis

I admit it, I'm not a very charitable person. 

Okay, that's not quite right. I would love to help out more, I'm just far too lazy. 

Yeah, I said it. 

Thankfully there are people out there like Gab friend Elizabeth to make up for us lazy beasts.

Elizabeth, an occasional contributor to NashvilleGab, is raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It'd be wonderful if you charitable sorts out there who happen to read NashvilleGab could help her out and maybe donate a dollar or two. Below is part of what she says on her blog. If you'd prefer not to read and just donate, you can do that on her fundraising page. Her goal is $2000. Let's see if we can help her get that and more.   

As you now know, I will be honored by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at a special event recognizing outstanding young professionals in our community on Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. In accepting this distinction, I have committed to raise money to help the Foundation realize its mission of controlling and curing Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Several of my friends are also being honored. Congratulations to Caroline Chamberlain, Anna Laurence Johnson, Porter Meadors, Martin Penny, and Walker Matthews as well as everyone I have met throughout this journey so far!

CF is a devastating genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. More than ten million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. Advances continue to be made in finding a cure, but more help is needed to help keep up the momentum of this life-saving research.

When the Foundation began in 1955, most children with CF did not live to see their first day of elementary school. Today, the median predicted age of survival for a person with CF is 37 years of age. The average age has increased from 31, in the past six years, which is remarkable progress, but not good enough.

If you are in Nashville on Friday, April 12, I would be honored if you considered your donation to be be a ticket to attend the event, and I would love for you to be there to support me. Tobuy tickets to the 30 Under 30 party, please visit the Ticket Page. Select "Presale Ticket" (The price per ticket will go up in March). Click "Continue" to fill in the "Primary Participant" information. Click "Continue" again. Next, on the "Fundraiser Credit" portion, make sure you select, "Bradbury, Elizabeth," so your ticket price will go towards my fundraising goal :) Please let me know if you have any questions or if you have any difficulty! I know the party is a month away, but I wanted to let you know now because ticket prices increase from $60 to $65 next Friday, March 15. I promise the party will be a good time!

If you are unable to attend the event, but interested in supporting my campaign, please click here to visit my fundraising campaign page. Keep in mind no donation is ever too small, and on the flip side, never too large. ;) Thank you for your consideration to support on my behalf as well as to support the mission of the CF Foundation! 

Keith Urban announces 2013 All For The Hall benefit details

Keith Urban's fourth annual We're All for the Hall benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum returns to the Bridgestone Arena on April 16! Tickets on Sale March 1 at 10AM CST.

2005 CMA Entertainer of the Year and four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, April 16, for a concert to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.Reserved seating tickets, which are priced at $35 and $50 (does not include Ticketmaster surcharge), will go on sale March 1 at 10:00 a.m. CST. A limited number of VIP ticket packages will also go on sale on March 1 at Ticketmaster.com. (Complete ticket purchase information is below.)

This year’s theme “Rebels and Renegades, the Outlaws are IN” will feature performances from an all-star line-up including Urban, Gill, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver and Hank Williams, Jr. It promises to be yet another in a line of one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime concert events highlighting great music, friendship and camaraderie.

“The purity in making music on your own terms – to create art in your own way – for me, is at the heart of the outlaw spirit,” said Urban.  “It's those outlaws that we celebrate this year, who not only made it possible for a guy like me to do what I love, but who play a pivotal role in the strength of Country music's diversity.”

Museum Board President Vince Gill created All for the Hall, an artist-led fundraising initiative for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  Funds raised through these events directly support the museum’s mission and underwrite preservation efforts, exhibitions and educational programs that teach audiences about the enduring beauty and cultural importance of country music.

“The first three We’re All for the Hall concerts raised approximately $1.5 million,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Those dollars go toward our operating expenses, directly funding the care of our collection, exhibitions, programs and more. We are beyond grateful to Keith Urban and Vince Gill. They are two of country music’s greatest stewards and ambassadors, and we are honored by what they have done for this institution. I’m certain that this year’s We’re All for the Hall show will not only be an important source of revenue for the museum, but a ‘once-in-a-lifetime, only-in-Nashville’ concert for everyone lucky enough to attend.”

You can check out ticket prices, packages available, etc. by visiting Keith's website.

Lady Antebellum launch inaugural Ping Pong & Songs fundraiser

Well this sounds fun. To help raise money for their new Lady AID organization, the group is launching their very first Ping Pong & Song fundraising event on March 23rd in Nashville. 

From Lady A's website:

Inspired by a combination of the band’s favorite backstage hobby and their love of songwriting, the event includes a celebrity ping pong tournament and an in-the-round style songwriters’ night, both benefiting the group’s newly created charitable initiative LadyAID™.

Tickets for both portions of the event go on sale this Friday, February 15th at 10:00A CT throughLadyAID.org.
 
“This is really a dream day for us…getting friends and fans together to play ping pong, play music and raise money for LadyAID,” said Dave Haywood. “Charles and I…better known as ‘The Dynasty’…will challenge anyone who wants to try and take us at the table!  It's going to be a total blast.”
 
With registration to the tournament, players will receive a commemorative player kit and two tickets to the finals and concert portion of the event. Individual tournament finals tickets and ticket bundles are also available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit LadyAID™.

For more ticket information or to make a donation, visit www.LadyAID.org

The Farm's Damien Horne plays Salvation Army bell ringer for Christmas

Well here's a good reason to pay attention to just who is ringing those bells at the Salvation Army kettles while you're out Christmas shopping. 

Damien Horne from the group The Farm posted this picture to Twitter showing how he's helping out this year. 

Merry Christmas Everyone !!! #begrateful pic.twitter.com/qR6LTeju

According to his bio, Damien has a long history with the Salvation Army that started back when he was 11 and sang at his local Salvation Army Church.