CSO has learned that the "Tennessee Plowboy" has passed away at the age of 89 early this Thursday morning. The Hall of Fame member has sold over 85 million records during his career and charted hits like "Cattle Call," “Make The World Go Away,” “I Want To Go With You” and “Turn The World Around.”

Arnold was preceded in death by his wife Sally Gayhart Arnold, who died March 11, 2008, and survived by their children, Richard Edward Jr., of Nashville, and Jo Ann Pollard, of Brentwood, Tenn.

Nashville, TN – Sara Evans and Maroon 5 blend their worlds of country and pop on CMT Crossroads: Maroon 5 and Sara Evans premiering on Friday, May 9 at 9pm ET/PT on CMT. The one-hour special was taped before an invitation only audience in Nashville and features Evans’ hits including “I Could Not Ask For More” and her new single “Some Things Never Change,” as well as the Maroon 5 hits “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved,” and a few surprises. Entertainment Weekly gives the show an A- and touts “CMT produces its hottest concert yet, pairing crooner Sara Evans and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine.”

“I’ve been excited to do Crossroads since CMT first started the show,” shares Evans. “When you are a fan of someone, like I am of Maroon 5 and then you hear them singing and playing your music – it is such an honor. Adam and I had such great chemistry and this was an absolutely amazing experience.”

Evans’ second single, “Some Things Never Change,” from her recent Greatest Hits album is climbing the country radio charts. The inspirational and positive song explores the various ways that love is displayed and was co-written by Evans, her brother Matt Evans, Hillary Lindsay and John Shanks. The first single from the project was the Top 10 hit "As If," which Evans also co-wrote. Greatest Hits is filled with Evans’ biggest hits from her 10 year career including "No Place That Far," "Born to Fly," "Suds in the Bucket," "A Real Fine Place to Start," and "I Could Not Ask for More," among others. 

Nashville , TN May 8, 2008 -- Universal Records South will release Jennifer Hanson's new full length studio CD as a digital exclusive, available for download beginning June 3rd. Titled Thankful, the CD features all new music written by the artist, and co-produced by Hanson and Nick Brophy. The CD will include singles "Joyride" and "'73," as well as the title track, performed with Vince Gill. 

According to Hanson, the CD's title was a natural choice, because making this CD was not only a labor of love, it was also a leap of faith. "When I began the process of writing and recording this record, I didn't have a label home for it," Hanson said. "But I knew I had to make the record, and just go on faith that I would somehow be able to get it out there to the music fans. And that's just what happened when I played what I had done for Mark Wright and Fletcher Foster. They heard what I was trying to do with this album, and jumped on board. And for that, I am thankful." 

The plan to initially release the CD as a digital only exclusive is one label GM and Senior VP Fletcher Foster believes to be important to the overall development of Hanson as an artist. "Jennifer has been able to develop a strong following through her artistry as a writer and a performer. She has a solid Internet presence, and we as a label feel the best way to market her new music is by capitalizing on this awareness," Foster said. "Her last single received an impressive number of downloads, and I have no doubt that by partnering with the various digital outlets we will be able to get her music to her fans and continue to increase her fan base." 

In the past few years, Hanson has become one of Nashville 's top songwriters. She penned the multi-week #1 hit "Leave the Pieces" for the Wreckers, as well as American Idol finalist Bucky Covington's Top 5 "A Different World." She also co-wrote all of the music on the upcoming Thankful album, as well as the majority of the songs on her debut, self-titled release, featuring her hit single, "Beautiful Goodbye." 

"Our format needs artists like Jennifer," said Universal Records South President Mark Wright. "She's one of those truly gifted individuals who can tap into our emotions with a song, and deliver that song with the conviction of someone who has lived what she writes. This album is full of the kind of moments that make a listener feel totally connected with the artist." 

Thankful will be available exclusively on all digital retail outlets beginning June 3rd.

NASHVILLE, TN – Following the success of her debut album, Small Town Girl, which yielded 3 hit singles including, “Red High Heels,” and “I Wonder,” Kellie Pickler will debut her new single, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” on the ACM Awards, which will air live on CBS on Sunday, May 18.

The ACM Top New Female nominee and 3-time CMT Award winner is thrilled to be introducing new music from her forthcoming album. “I’m so excited to be performing on the show and doubly so, to be debuting the new single. It’s such a great song, with a positive message and it’s different than any other song I’ve recorded before,” said Kellie.

Written by Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey and Karen Rochelle, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” is the first single from her sophomore album, which will be released later this year. The single will be available to country radio in June.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (May 8, 2008)-Capitol Recording artist Chris Cagle made one young lady's dream come true and an entire community embrace her story. Chris accompanied Miss Danielle "Bella" Romeo to the prom held this past weekend at the Victoria Community Center, Victoria Texas. 

"Bella is an extraordinary young lady," Chris introduced. Since the age of thirteen, Miss Romeo has suffered from a rare seizure disorder. "This is not just one rare illness, the doctors say Bella ‘endures a rainbow of seizures' and the cause is unknown--unidentified," Chris added.

A patient at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Bella's life-threatening condition is being reviewed a team of fifty neurologists. Her treatments have caused her to gain weight; she cannot drive, nor attend public school. 

Bella and her mother were introduced to Chris at a benefit concert (October 2007) by the event chairpersons, Jim Babcock and Anna-Leigh London. (Chris trains and boards his horses at the Babcock Ranch in Texas.) "Bella was so weakened by the lights, she could not make it through the entire show," Chris said. "My heart went out to her." On May 3, Chris Cagle brought joy and "life" back into Bella's heart.

Chris accompanied the 17 year-old, tenth grader to the Junior/Senior prom. (The high school made a special exception for her to attend.) Bella wore a pink strapless custom-made, one-of-a-kind, ball gown and Chris wore a suit jacket designed by Manuel.

"Chris, a gentlemen we hardly know, took my child by the arm, and I could see it in his eyes, his honor in the moment," Bella's mom, Nipal Corder, said. "This is a ‘forever' moment for my daughter and a blessing not only to her, but our entire community. The community's response to this man's kindness has been overwhelming. I believe Chris Cagle was a gift in our lives, I believe he blessed this child and our community who has embraced this story. He's given strength and unity to me and Bella and our entire community."

The evening ended with a limo drive home. Chris' single "Wal-Mart Parking Lot" is now on the ballot to be considered as the graduating senior theme song.

"Danielle was the ‘Belle' of the ball, and I thank her for an unforgettable evening and the honor," Chris said.

Nashville, TN -- The Crook & Chase Show is scoring solid ratings with cable viewers, according to its producer Jim Owens. The latest Nielsen Media Research confirms that since its premiere, more than 6.5 million people have viewed the RFD-TV program. The recent additions of Comcast and Charter to its list of cable carriers, as well as others to be announced in the weeks ahead, will boost that number significantly in the coming months. Comcast alone gives RFD-TV the potential to add up to an additional 24 million households to the network's reach. 

"These numbers confirm what we knew-- millions of people are hungry for this type of wholesome family entertainment," Owens said. "Lorianne and Charlie are like family friends. Audiences know when they tune in that they will see their favorite music stars in a friendly interview setting, as well as hear them perform. No other show on the air offers this format. Lorianne and Charlie are celebrating their 25th anniversary as a broadcast team this year. That makes them the longest running broadcast duo on the air." 

"RFD-TV could not be more pleased with the success of the Crook & Chase show," said Patrick Gottsch, RFD-TV founder & president. "Lorianne and Charlie are a dynamic broadcast duo. The response from our viewers is overwhelming. This is just one more example of what I have been saying all along--there is a need for this type of programming." 

The weekly one hour show is produced by Jim Owens Entertainment and taped in front of a studio audience in Studio A of Nashville's Opry House. Each new show will premiere on Thursday evening during primetime (9:00 p.m. ET) and repeat Friday at 11:00 a.m. ET and again Saturday night at 7:00 ET, giving it premium exposure. For ticket information please call: 1-888-677-9256. 

Nashville, Tenn -- Hot new country sensation Jason Michael Carroll recently performed for a sold-out crowd at a KUPL-FM event in Portland, Oregon. Enthusiastic fans reportedly stood in the rain for an hour or more, just to see the concert. KUPL-FM Program Director John Paul says, "This was by far the best crowd ever in KUPL's concert series. People had to be turned away, as the club was at capacity." Carroll sang his Top 5 hits "Livin' Our Love Song" and "Alyssa Lies" and fans also rocked to his newest hit, "I Can Sleep When I'm Dead," which climbed to #28 on the charts this week. Carroll will continue performing for sold-out crowds throughout the summer as he joins country mega-star Carrie Underwood on her extended Carnival Ride Tour, along with headlining many shows of his own. For the latest news and tour date information, visit www.jasonmichaelcarroll.com. 

Hot new country star Rissi Palmer is presently being featured on www.MLB.com. On a recent visit to their studios in New York, Palmer performed an exclusive acoustic concert and talked with host Jeremy Brisiel as part of their "Hot Prospect" series featuring new and upcoming artists. MLB.com visitors can view the concert that includes six songs from Palmer's self-titled debut, including "Country Girl," "Anybody Out There," "Hold On To Me," "Hurt Don't Know When to Quit," "All This Woman Needs" and the Patsy Cline classic "Leavin' On Your Mind." Music fans will also have access to audio track samples from every song on her RISSI PALMER CD. MLB.com boasts 9 million visitors per day, with 17 million registered fans. Recently featured recording artists on their site include Trace Adkins, Bon Jovi, Daughtry, Rihanna and George Strait, to name a few. Palmer is presently on tour across the country, with upcoming performances in Detroit, Michigan (5/9), Sparta, Kentucky (5/10) and Midland, Michigan (5/30). Her new single, "No Air," hit country radio on Monday and was one of the most added new singles of the week. For the latest Rissi Palmer news and complete tour schedule, visit www.rissipalmer.com.

NASHVILLE - Tim McGraw will launch his “Live Your Voice Tour” this Friday, May 9 in Tampa, Florida with special guest Jason Aldean and Halfway To Hazard. Also joining the tour are Brett and Brad Warren who have received honorary doctorates from McGraw and his band, the Dancehall Doctors. McGraw announced today that the Warren Brothers will be featured players in his touring band.

For more tour information go to www.timmcgraw.com. 

( NASHVILLE , Tenn. ) – Known for his depth as a songwriter and his outlaw-esque sound, Ray Scott is taking the reigns of his career and self-releasing a new CD, Crazy Like Me, on his own label, Jethropolitan Records. Crazy Like Me will be available digitally in late May. Physical CDs will only be available at www.rayscott.com and at all Ray Scott shows beginning in early June. There will be no retail distribution at this time. Advance orders of Crazy Like Me placed on his website will be autographed.

Capitalizing on the success of his debut release, My Kind of Music, (Warner Bros. Records) as well as his current national tour, the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party 2008 with Mark Wills, Trent Willmon and Buddy Jewell, the timing was perfect to release the album featuring ten songs written exclusively by Scott and his longtime friend and co-writer as well as Crazy Like Me producer Phillip Moore.

“After a couple of frustrating years dealing with a big record label that was no longer holding up their end of the deal, I'm finally free, and the taste of freedom is sweet! The time has never been better in the music biz to do something different,” says Scott. To read the rest of his no-holds-barred view, visit his newly revamped website at www.rayscott.com. 

Jethropolitan Records took control of the website making it easier to navigate, adding fan message boards, photo galleries, merchandise store and full streaming of the new album. 

The 2nd Annual Friends of Ray Scott Party held during CMA Music Fest on Friday, June 6 will be the official release party for the new album. Fans can buy tickets online at his website while they last. 

Jethropolitan Records will be run by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Scott’s co-manager, publicity handled by Amy Willis and business management by Jamie Mrzena. All will maintain their respective roles with Hallmark Direction Company and Stringtown Records.

Warner Bros. Records released Ray Scott’s debut album in November 2005 to an overwhelming enthusiastic reception. My Kind of Music became the #1 selling country album on Billboard’s “Heatseeker’s” chart that week and the #1 selling album on CMT’s (Country Music Television) sales chart. With singles like “Gone Either Way,” “I Didn’t Come Here to Talk” and the title track, My Kind of Music landed on the “Top 10 Albums of 2005” lists in Billboard, Dallas Morning News and the Miami Herald to name a few. Scott will be featured in an upcoming PBS special, “Outlaw Trail,” airing this fall.

www.rayscott.com 
www.myspace.com/rayscott

(Nashville, Tennessee - May 5th, 2008) Cumberland University recently honored Wilson County resident and country music icon Charlie Daniels and his wife, Hazel, with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The presentation took place in Lebanon, TN and was part of the University's 166th Commencement Ceremony. Charlie and Hazel were recognized because of their service and dedication to helping others within their community. 

Pictured: Charlie and Hazel Daniels with Cumberland University President, Harvill C. Eaton, Ph.D

NASHVILLE – One of country music’s hottest ticket sellers, RASCAL FLATTS will kick off a brand new tour this summer, the “Bob That Head Tour.” The launch will take place on June 13 in St. Louis , Missouri . Joining the band are opening acts Taylor Swift and songwriters Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley.

“We hope our fans look forward to our shows as much as we do,” says lead singer, Gary LeVox. “We want to give them an evening of entertainment that can take their minds off of life’s pressures and lift their spirits, if just for a few hours. See you on the road!”

Known for their dynamic performances, high-tech stage productions and in-concert interactive fan participation, Rascal Flatts’ recently wrapped “Still Feels Good Tour” ranked as the best selling country tour for the first quarter of 2008 according to Pollstar . Since 2006, the vocal group has performed for 2 million fans in 156 cities. Since their career launched in 2000, Rascal Flatts has sold over 17 million albums, scored 9 #1 singles and 17 top 10 hits and each of their five albums are multi-platinum sellers. They are the reigning CMT, ACM and CMA Vocal Group of The Year with six, five and five respective consecutive wins. They will be honored as the 2008 Academy of Country Music /The Home Depot® Humanitarian Award recipients during the ACM Awards show in May. This honor, in part, due to their dedication to raising funds for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where in the past 3 years they have donated 2.2 million dollars, as well as their work on the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet board. Rascal Flatts is currently nominated as ACM Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year.

Taylor Swift, widely hailed as the first bonafide country music star of the MySpace generation, recently surpassed the 45 million mark for music streams on her MySpace page, where she is consistently ranked Country’s #1 artist. Her self-titled debut CD has sold 3 million copies and has spent 18 weeks so far in the #1 position atop Billboard ’s Country CD Sales Chart. Taylor currently has singles climbing both the country and pop radio charts, and she has nine songs on iTunes’ Best Selling Country chart. Taylor won 2008 CMT Music Awards for Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year and is the reigning CMA Horizon Award winner, as well as the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Songwriter / Artist of the Year. She is the first female solo artist in country music history to wrote or co-write every song on a platinum-selling debut CD, and she leads the field of female nominees for this year’s ACM Awards with three nominations.

Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher are among Nashville ’s most gifted songwriters. Between the two they have penned songs for Rascal Flatts- “Take Me There,” “Fast Cars and Freedom” and “I Melt”; Kenny Chesney- “I Know How Forever Feels,” “There Goes My Life,” “I Lost It,”; Alabama’s “We Can’t Love Like This Anymore” as well as hits for Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Pat Green, Lonestar, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, and more

For more tour information go to www.rascalflatts.com.

NASHVILLE, TENN. — The Grascals, one of the most critically-acclaimed and dynamic groups in bluegrass music today, and the reigning IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Entertainers of the Year for the last two years, will release their third studio album for Rounder Records, Keep On Walkin’, on July 15. The 12-song, self-produced album is the group’s first release in two years. It crystallizes the sound introduced and developed on the band’s first two Grammy®-nominated releases—traditional bluegrass and country music, both original and classic songs, all delivered with vocal and instrumental intensity and virtuosity. Timely and timeless, The Grascals’ music is entirely relevant to the here and now, yet based on a deeply-seeded knowledge of and admiration for the music’s founding fathers. 

“After five years of singing together, and especially the last three years of extensive touring, we think we’ve really been able to define our sound on this record,” said Grascals vocalist and guitarist Jamie Johnson. “The whole process of doing this album, from finding songs, to arranging them, recording and mixing—was relaxed and fun. We took our time so we could do things the way we wanted and treat each song with the care it deserved.”

The album kicks into high gear with the lead track, “Feeling Blue,” written by well-known bluegrass tunesmith Aubrey Holt, who first met Jamie Johnson when they were in the Boys From Indiana. Holt has become one of the band’s favorite writers, contributing three songs to this album. In addition to “Feeling Blue,” which is an original song with the feel of an old Jimmy Martin tune, Holt wrote “Sad Wind Sighs.” A classic lament disguised in an uptempo tune, the song features the incomparable voice of special guest Vince Gill. Holt also explores the lighter side of life in “Happy Go Lucky,” the song that The Grascals performed to open the 2007 IBMA Awards and have included in their live shows ever since.

Jamie Johnson also displays his songwriting skills on two songs—the moving title track about life’s journeys, which he co-wrote with veteran songwriter Charley Stefl; and “Indiana,” which he co-wrote with another of the band’s favorite writers, Harley Allen. The song perfectly captures the bittersweet yearning for the home of one’s youth. Allen, who has written songs on all three of The Grascals’ albums, including the 2005 IBMA Song of the Year, “Me and John and Paul,” continues to strike an emotional chord with “Remembering,” about the lingering effects of war.

Sprinkled throughout the album and shining like the gems they are, some country and bluegrass classics each get a refreshing and respectful turn from The Grascals. First, they put a new twist on Waylon Jennings’ “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line,” before Terry Eldredge sings a heart-rending lead on “Choices,” a hit for his musical hero, George Jones. The Grascals’ version of the song was #1 in March and April on XM Bluegrass Junction Top 30 Tracks, and it has spent multiple weeks on the Count Down Yonder Weekly Top 17 Songs of SIRIUS Bluegrass. Also included are some of the songs that the band regularly performs during their live shows—“Today I Started Loving You Again,” “Can’t You Hear That Whistle Blow” (featuring lead vocals and slap-bass playing by Terry Smith) and “Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms.” As with their previous albums, the band took this one to play for Earl Scruggs, and they were delighted to see the smile on his face as “Rollin’” began. Following their tradition, The Grascals include a gospel number on this album, selecting “Farther Along” as the final track. It features Danny Roberts’ vocal debut singing bass in the four-part harmony.

In addition to Jamie Johnson on guitar and vocals, Terry Eldredge on guitar and vocals, Terry Smith on bass and vocals, and Danny Roberts on mandolin, Keep on Walkin’ features Aaron McDaris playing banjo on his first album with The Grascals, and Jimmy Mattingly on fiddle. Guest musicians on selected tracks include the inimitable Hargus “Pig” Robbins on piano and Andy Hall (of the Infamous Stringdusters) on dobro.

Jamie Johnson is featured in the May edition of Bluegrass Now, which can be viewed at http://www.bluegrassnow.com. For the latest Grascals news and updates to their Mayberry’s Finest Tour, please visit http://www.grascals.com. Mayberry’s Finest Brand Foods is a line of 35 Southern-seasoned stews, chilis, vegetables, and baking mixes inspired by The Andy Griffith Show. The Grascals wrote and recorded the Mayberry’s Finest jingle and have recorded radio and internet commercials for the product line, with television spots to follow.

NASHVILLE, TN – Lady Antebellum logs another “first” in their young careers when DeepRockDrive and co-branded with Pepsi, chose them as their first country artist to perform on the world’s first and only on-line, interactive live global concert venue. The ACM Top New Group nominees will perform LIVE on DeepRockDrive.com on Friday, May 16 at 6 PM, PST. 

By logging on to www.DeepRockDrive.com, music fans from around the world will experience the only online, live, interactive exchange between performers and their audience where the fans collaborate with artists in real-time to build magical live experiences. Fans can send shout outs to the stage, vote on what the next song will be from the set list, personalize their views by selecting camera angles and send digital applause to the artists on stage in the form of emot-applause™, which are video game-like icons, such as hearts, fists, and lips that blow a kiss. These animated icons appear on giant screens in front of the artists while they perform.

For more information and to get your tickets for your front row seat to see Lady Antebellum click: http://www.deeprockdrive.com/event/5333/pepsi_free_concert_series_starring_lady_antebellum__

Thanks to the support of Pepsi, the shows in this series are available free of charge, bringing a front row seat to music fans from Las Vegas to London, San Francisco to Singapore, and anywhere where a broadband connection is available. Grab a ticket and invite your friends! www.DeepRockDrive.com 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -  Warner Bros. recording artist Blake Shelton will release his fifth album tomorrow, May 6. Or is it officially still his fourth? Due to the phenomenal success of his current single, “Home,” he is re-releasing his PURE BS album as PURE BS DELUXE EDITION. The album will include all of the previously released songs that were on PURE BS, including singles “Don’t Make Me,” and “The More I Drink.” It will also include three new tracks including Shelton ’s current smash hit, “Home,” as well as two additional unreleased songs written by Shelton , “Chances” and “I Can’t Walk Away.”

“How strange to be re-releasing an album – but it’s what makes sense. I wasn’t due for another album for a while and “Home” was being so well received the label had to find a way to get it out to the fans – so now there’s a PURE BS DELUXE EDITION,” says Shelton. 

Shelton reflects on “Chances,” “When I moved to Nashville in '94, it seemed like every song on the radio was about positive family things and falling in love. I wanted to write a song about falling in love the way it really happens sometimes. A guy just meeting a girl in a bar."

“Home” is currently #12 on the R&R Country Singles Chart.

NASHVILLE , TN – Kellie Pickler will take part in the AARP GrandRally, specifically targeting Grandfamilies which are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The annual event is Wednesday, May 7, on the West Lawn of U.S. Capitol Building beginning at 1:00 pm. Kellie will perform “My Angel,” a song on her debut album, Small Town Girl. Kellie wrote the song about, and dedicated the album to, her grandmother.

Raised by her grandparents, this is an issue of importance to Kellie who said, "I'm proud to take part in AARP's GrandRally. Having been raised by my grandparents, I know the struggles they face raising their grandchildren." As her charity of choice, Kellie has donated nearly $50,000 to AARP's Grandparenting Foundation.

Some of the biggest challenges for grandparents are financial, legal and medical, just to name a few. And one of the biggest problems is that they do not know where to turn for assistance. At the GrandRally, grandparents and the children they are raising will discuss the challenges they face and the need for continued Congressional support. 

The AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program is a terrific resource for grandparents who need help. They connect grandparents to resources in their community. To learn more visit www.aarp.org/foundation or call 1-888-GRAND-18.

Lonestar and St. Jude Make This Year’s Event Bigger than Ever with Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Josh Gracin, Bo Bice, Trent Tomlinson, Jamie O'Neal And Others Scheduled to Bowl!!! 

(Nashville, TN) – In just nine days since ticket sales began, the fourth annual “Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids,” bowling bash, presented by GAC, and benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, has SOLD OUT!

This year, Lonestar’s St. Jude bowling bash will be held on Monday, June 2nd at the Hermitage Lanes in Hermitage, Tennessee. Lonestar called on some of their friends, some of the biggest names in country music, to join them for the annual event. Those scheduled to bowl with Lonestar include Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, American Idol’s Bo Bice, Josh Gracin and Diana DeGarmo, Trent Tomlinson, Joe Nichols, Jamie O’Neal, Darryl Worley, Chuck Wicks, Bryan White, Chris Young, Ty Herndon, Heidi Newfield and Crystal Shawanda.

This year’s sell-out marks the fourth consecutive year the event has been a major success. Since Lonestar founded the annual event in 2004, it has SOLD OUT every year and has generated more than $70,000 for St. Jude.

“Knowing that this thing is already sold out is huge!” says Lonestar’s founding member, Dean Sams. “I’ve got a gut feeling that this year’s proceeds will beat out everything we’ve raised in the past!”

Those that have already purchased their tickets will be admitted into the event, enjoy dinner at the Hermitage Lanes and will be included in the random drawing for a chance to play on one of the celebrity bowling teams. For each artist in attendance, four lucky fans will be drawn at random to play in the games with their favorite country music stars.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to place bids in a silent auction, which will include signed photos, CD’s and merchandise from some of the biggest stars in country music!

The “Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids” bowling bash is scheduled for 6-10 p.m. (CST) with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. (CST).

Nashville, TN - TAMMY COCHRAN will once again be a part of the Countriest of the Country show! Countriest of the Country is an annual event hosted by singer/songwriter Billy Yates ("Too Country and Proud of It"); this year’s show will take place during CMA Music Festival week on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, TN. This is Tammy’s third consecutive year to being personally invited by Billy to be a guest performer on the show.

In addition to Tammy, this year’s artist lineup includes T. Graham Brown, Sunny Sweeney, Chris Young, Michael Peterson, the Broussards, Billy Ryan, and David Kroll. The show will also include several hit songwriters: Byron Hill ("Nothin’ On But The Radio" - Gary Allan, "Fool Hearted Memory" - George Strait), Leslie Satcher ("When God Fearin’ Women Get the Blues" - Martina McBride, "Politically Uncorrect" - Gretchen Wilson), and Wil Nance ("She’s Everything" - Brad Paisley, "Cool To Be A Fool" - Joe Nichols), among others!

The cost is $25.00 per ticket. Checks or money orders may be sent to:

Billy Yates International Fan Club
P.O. Box 864
White House, TN 37188

Doors will open at 5:30PM; the show will start at 6:00PM.

All profits from the show will be donated to Christmas for the Children, a non-profit organization based in White House, TN, that raises money throughout the year to take local underprivileged children Christmas shopping.

mp3s for "Where I Am" and "On My Side of the World" are available upon request. Please direct all interview/media inquiries to Estella at starcountryangel@sbcglobal.net.

VISIT TAMMY COCHRAN AT:
http://www.tammycochranfans.com
http://www.myspace.com/tammycochranfans
http://www.myspace.com/onmysideoftheworld

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Wind-up Records, a subsidiary of Wind-up Entertainment, New York, has entered into an innovative, strategic partnership with Porter-Gentry Productions, a Nashville-based artist development company, to introduce Wind-up's flagship country recording artist, Eric Durrance.

Under the unique business alliance between Wind-up and Porter-Gentry, Bernard Porter and Teddy Gentry will work to develop and execute the marketing and promotions campaign to introduce Durrance, his new single, entitled "Angels Fly Away," and album (by the same name) to the country music industry and radio.

Wind-up Records is the largest independently owned and operated label in the United States and is distributed by Sony/BMG Entertainment worldwide (excluding Canada where the company operates Wind-up Entertainment Canada Inc. and is distributed by the Warner Music Group). The label's roster includes Evanescence, Seether, Finger Eleven, 12 Stones and more than a dozen developing artists.

Wind-up Records is set to release Durrance's country single entitled "Angels Fly Away." (June 9, 2008) Durrance's complete CD, ANGELS FLY AWAY, was produced by Teddy Gentry (Alabama, Emerson Drive) and country music producer Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts/Carrie Underwood).

Durrance is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on his debut country album that features five self-penned compositions and/or co-writes. Wind-up Records is set to release ANGELS FLY AWAY on September 16, 2008. 

For more information on Eric Durrance visit www.ericdurrance.com.

Photo: (Pictured from left to right)
Back Row: Steve Pope, Director of A&R Porter Gentry/John Kelly, Porter Business Manager/Bernard Porter, CO President & COO Porter-Gentry/Larry Pareigis Nine North/Porter Gentry
Front Row: Eric Durrance and Teddy Gentry, CO President & Chief Creative Officer
Photo Credit: Sheri O'Neal

Nashville, TN -- Becky Schlegel’s “Bound For Tennessee” hits radio programmers’ desks today via CDX Volume 447, marking the Minnesota singer/songwriter’s first foray into the mainstream country radio market. Co-produced by Schlegel and banjoist/guitarist Brian Fesler, the track features a rolling piano refrain and sinuous steel guitar licks, while Becky’s haunting soprano weaves a bittersweet call to the highway. Airplay Specialists Radio Promotion will be going for adds on the single on May 29. “Bound For Tennessee” is from Schlegel’s upcoming CD, FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE (Lilly Ray/IGO Records) due in stores June 17. 

Becky wrote this song about a musician friend who left home for the bright lights of Nashville; Schlegel, on the other hand, didn’t have to go far to get her start - she took her first piano lesson at the age of five in the tiny town of Kimball, SD (population 700), and in high school, Becky joined her mother’s band, The Country Benders. Schlegel continued to play with the group throughout high school, and during the summers, she also sang and played keyboards for the Mountain Music Show in the Black Hills of South Dakota. And, while Schlegel admits that she still sometimes dreams of Tennessee, she is now firmly entrenched in the vibrant Twin Cities music scene of her Minnesota home; a multi-award winning Contemporary Bluegrass/Alternative Country artist with two critically-acclaimed CDs to her credit. 

In the national spotlight since 1999, Becky appears frequently on RFD-TV’s Midwest Country Theater and on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. She tours regularly throughout the Midwest, and plans are underway for a radio promo/CD Release tour. 

Sample tracks from FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE at www.beckyschlegel.com or www.MySpace.com/beckyschlegel.

Look out for Trace again on May 5th and get ready for a lot of laughs when Trace chats with comedian and E! Entertainment's CHELSEA LATELY host Chelsea Handler (E! - 11:30PM ET – check local listings). Chelsea is known for taking a rather irreverent look at top news stories, celebrity gossip and other hot topics of the day. Last but not least stay up late or set your TiVo's on Thursday May 8th as Trace will make his second appearance on NBC’s THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO (NBC 11:30PM ET/PT). He’ll be performing his latest hit that recently remained at top of charts for three weeks in a row! 
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For the first time ever, YOU, the fans, can choose the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year from this year's five nominees: Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait or Keith Urban. Cast your ballot and then WATCH the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, May 18th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS to find out who walks away with the trophy! 

To find out more about this year's nominees and to cast your ballot NOW, click here: www.voteacm.com 

Third generation country royalty maven Carlene Carter continues her musical voyage following the release of her new LP STRONGER on Yeproc Records. Known for bridging all sorts of musical genres and bridges, Carter opened for Elvis Costello in Memphis and at the Ryman in Nashville last week. She then jetted to LA to play a sold out show at hip venue The Mint ,where she was joined by producer and former Doobie brother John McPhee.Says McFee: "Carlene's heart and soul just come through. . . . She's smart and she's a good writer, so you know it's gonna be good."But this is more than just a bunch of songs," he added. "She pulls no punches. She's brave and she has this attitude to face life, to go on. She's been through a lot and she figured out how to pull something from it."

Longtime fan and Elton John partner Bernie Taupin ( writer of Goodbye Yellowbrick Road and Candle in the Wind) came to the show to congratulate Carlene. Like her peers, fans at each show were wildly enthusiastic and welcomed their queen back with open arms and standing ovations. Elvis Costello wrote McPhee immediately after hearing an advance copy of the record "I couldn't't let a day go by without writing about C.C.'s record- it is astounding!", he said. 

Carlene, a wild child of the '70s L.A. country-rock and U.K. punk scenes, has emerged from a life that scanned far wilder than any country song. But in her own prolonged addiction and the 2003 deaths of paramour Howie Epstein, her mother, stepfather and sister Rosie, she found the strength to return to writing and created "Stronger," a song cycle that documents the pain, loss and courage it took to regain control of her life. Says Carter: " you know, everybody's lost somebody, got their heart broken, wanted to take the snot out of someone, been madly in love. . . . It's part of real life if you're living it." She certainly lived it , and at times those around her wondered whether she'd survive the downward spiral of shady characters, drug abuse and personal tragedy. "Once I started writing, it all flooded out of me," she says. "I've always been one of those people -- once I start something, I have to get it all out, because it gets me." 

In spite of her musical laughter, Carter's been through things that would topple most. Rather than crumbling, she's emerged with a project as shiny and ebullient as her punk-era "Musical Shapes" or her 1990 mainstream country hit "I Fell in Love." Opening "Stronger" with a revved-up train beat, "The Bitter End" serves as the prologue for a song cycle that moves through the harrowing path she'd been on with Epstein, the former bassist with Tom Petty's Heartbreakers whose own addiction troubles ended with his 2003 overdose. Review after review, critics and fans alike attest to her incredible songwriting and performance abilities all of which are better than ever. 

Carlene takes her third generation Carter family music to Europe next week and will continue her tour in Southern California the end of May. 

NASHVILLE, TENN. - The 39th Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2008, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. 

Nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be announced in the next few weeks. Nominations in the Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist categories recognize songwriters whose first significant works achieved commercial success and/or artistic recognition at least 20 years ago and have “positively impacted and been closely associated with the Nashville music community and deemed to be outstanding and significant.” Nominees are recommended to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) board of directors by the nominating committee, which is comprised of Hall of Fame members and Music Row historians. Final voting is done by Hall of Fame members, Professional Songwriter members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and the boards of the NaSHOF and NSAI. Two honorees will be selected from nominees in the Songwriter category, and one in the Songwriter/Artist category, for induction on October 26.

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 167 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb and Hank Williams, Sr. Last year’s honorees were Bob DiPiero, Flatt & Scruggs, Mac McAnally, Dottie Rambo and Hank Williams, Jr. 

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation that owns and operates the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive, celebrate and honor the legacy of songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

Nashville, Tenn. – Arista Nashville recording artist and chart-topper Jason Michael Carroll will release his third music video for the single "I Can Sleep When I’m Dead" to national television next week. The video, directed by David McClister (LeAnn Rimes, Dierks Bentley) and filmed in Nashville, is set to debut on Country Music Television (CMT) and Great American Country (GAC) on Monday, May 5.

"I Can Sleep When I'm Dead" has already become the third hit of Carroll’s career, currently at #28 on the charts, and gaining. Carroll adds the single to his already impressive roster of back-to-back Top 5 hits, including the heart-wrenching "Alyssa Lies" and "Livin’ Our Love Song." His #1 debut album, Waitin’ In The Country, was among the Top 10 best-selling country albums last year.

This summer, Carroll will tour with country superstar, Carrie Underwood on the extended Carnival Ride Tour, along with headlining many of his own dates. 

For more news and information, visit www.jasonmichaelcarroll.com.

Nashville, TN - Rissi Palmer, one of country music's hottest new stars, is featured on the cover of this month's Nashville Lifestyles Magazine. Palmer poses with her Yorkshire terrier, Jeremiah, for the magazine's annual "People & Their Pets" issue. 

Palmer says Jeremiah posed like a pro the day of the photo shoot. "A star was born," says the singer-songwriter. "What can I say, the dog's got charisma. I guess I'm going to have to get him an agent now." 

Nashville Lifestyles is Nashville's premier city magazine focusing on celebrity profiles, travel, the home, local events, nightlife, cuisine, the latest in real estate and much more. Nashville Lifestyles is available now at Borders Books & Music, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Davis-Kidd, Cosmetic Market and Whole Foods.

Presently on tour in support of her self-titled debut CD, Palmer will perform at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA on Friday, May 2 along with superstars The Eagles, Trisha Yearwood, John Fogerty and more. Additional dates include Detroit, MI (5/9), Sparta, KY (5/10) and Midland, MI (5/30). 

Palmer's new single, "No Air" officially hits radio on Monday, May 5. For a preview of Palmer's new single or for complete tour schedule, visit www.rissipalmer.com. 

NASHVILLE – ACM Entertainer of the Year nominees Rascal Flatts are slated to make a series of TV appearances and performances to promote their new smash hit single “Every Day” from the platinum-plus selling CD Still Feels Good. The band will perform the song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 5 and will follow up the next day by making their debut appearance on ABC's top rated show, Dancing With The Stars on May 6. 

Rascal Flatts is currently nominated as Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year at this year’s award show May 18, on CBS. Rascal Flatts have won the Vocal Group of the Year category for the past five consecutive years. The band will also be honored as the Academy of Country Music /The Home Depot® Humanitarian Award recipients. Rascal Flatts have sold more than 17 million albums, delivered 9 #1 singles and played to more than 2 million fans on tour over the last two years.

Crystal Gayle to join, Don McClean, The Alan Parsons Project, Donovan, The Kingston Trio and Others in Seoul, South Korea

(Nashville, TN) – This week, country music’s classiest lady, Crystal Gayle will make the 15-hour flight to Seoul, South Korea to join some of folk and pop music’s biggest names for the Flower Power Peace Festival spectacular!

Crystal will join the likes of music legends, Don McClean, The Alan Parsons Project, Donovan, The Kingston Trio, Judy Collins, The Brothers Four, Dr. Hook, Melanie Safka and Blood, Sweat & Tears for the two-day peace jam.

“Well, I have always been a ‘Flower Child’ at heart,” says Crystal. “The lineup is amazing… being asked to join these amazing entertainers, of which I myself am a personal fan of, is awesome… this will be an incredible event!”

The Flower Power Peace Festival will take place on May 4th and 5th at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in the heart of Seoul, the tenth largest city in the world. Crystal will take the stage at the festival on May 4th at 7:00 pm. 

Her performance at the star studded-event is meant to promote peace in Korea, the only country still divided since World War II.

Multi-platinum country-pop sensation Crystal Gayle has nineteen #1 singles to her credit. Earlier in her career, Crystal took home the Grammys’ “Best Female Country Vocal Performance” award with her hit, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” She’s a former ACM “Top New Female Vocalist” winner, a three-time ACM “Top Female Vocalist” winner and a two-time recipient of the CMA’s “Female Vocalist of the Year” Award. She’s won the AMA’s “Favorite Female Artist” award on three separate occasions and was the first country music singer to reach platinum sales. 

For more information on Crystal Gayle, visit www.crystalgayle.com.

Nashville, TN – Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut CD has reached the impressive milestone of 3 million in album sales. An exuberant Taylor spilled the beans on live television this morning, sharing the big news of her Triple-Platinum success during an interview with Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts. 

“I’m so excited to be back,” Taylor told Robin. “You guys were so cool to let me come on the show the day my album came out. [October 24, 2006 on Big Machine Records] They told me the other day that it’s now Triple Platinum—it’s freaking me out! I’m SO excited!!!” 

Taylor’s surprise announcement can be seen at: 
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/SummerConcert/story?id=4747695 

“When we were making this album, in the beginning of our new company, we talked and dreamed of what this album could be. I knew we had the songs and I knew we had an extraordinary artist,” said Scott Borchetta, President/CEO of Big Machine Records and the Valory Music Group. “What I didn't know was how beautifully this flower would bloom. People don't just like Taylor Swift, they LOVE Taylor Swift! I am so happy for her. And, she makes all of this so much fun."

Taylor secured her place in country music history last June when the Platinum certification of her CD made her the only female solo artist in Country music history to write or co-write every song on a Platinum selling debut. Taylor Swift has spent 18 weeks so far in the #1 position atop Billboard’s Country CD Sales Chart, and spent more weeks at #1 than any other country album last year. 

Taylor broke another record last December, when at the age of 17 she became the youngest person to single-handedly write and sing a number-one country single entirely on her own. “Our Song” spent 6 consecutive weeks at #1 atop Billboard’s Country Singles Chart, joining Taylor with Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, and Kitty Wells as the only women in history to spend 6 weeks atop the country singles chart. Connie Smith holds the record at 8 weeks. 

Taylor is in New York this week performing on Good Morning America (today) and Live With Regis and Kelly (tomorrow, April 30th), in conjunction with the launch of her June, 2008 Seventeen magazine cover, which hits newsstands nationwide next week. She spent the weekend in Los Angeles, where she was honored as “Superstar of Tomorrow” at the 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards. Taylor was the first-ever musician to receive this prestigious award. 

To hear music from Taylor Swift, log on to: www.taylorswift.com or www.myspace.com/taylorswift. 

NASHVILLE , TN – Last week, with a few copies of Craig Morgan’s debut single, “Love Remembers,” the BNA Records promotion team began visiting radio stations across the country with the new song. The song received a quick thumbs up from radio and when a few of the copies that were inadvertently left behind were played on the air, the listeners called in and also gave the song a thumbs up. 

When the song found its way to his myspace page, fans found it, and give it a thumbs up. In fact, the song received more than 30,000 plays in a few days. Though none of this happened according to plan, BNA decided to come up with a new plan! So with that, Craig Morgan’s “Love Remembers” will now be available digitally to radio this Wednesday, April 30. The physical CD is set to arrive by Friday.

In its first week on sale, Trisha Yearwood’s GEORGIA COOKING IN AN OKLAHOMA KITCHEN cookbook came in at #3 on the New York Times Bestseller List in the “Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous” category (NY Times list published Sunday, April 27th). The Yearwood family recipes, documented in a new cookbook that the country star co-authored with her mother Gwen and sister Beth, is the top selling cookbook in the land, outselling its closest competitor by approximately 1,500 copies. 

Filled with homespun recipes and the stories behind them, the cookbook began as homemade gift of family favorites that Trisha’s mom and sister made for the vocalist when she relocated to Oklahoma . The scrapbook of recipes took on greater significance for the ladies of the Yearwood clan after the passing of Trisha’s father. A year in the making, Georgia Cooking In An Oklahoma Kitchen contains anecdotes, funny quotes and recipes for down-home Southern fare like Gwen's Fried Chicken With Milk Gravy, Ribbon Meatloaf, Daddy’s Biscuits, Pecan-Pie Muffins and Just-Married Pound Cake. 

Says Yearwood, "My mom, my sister, and I are overwhelmed by the response! We're happy to hear that so many people have already tried the recipes and like how easy they are to make.” 

GEORGIA COOKING IN AN OKLAHOMA KITCHEN (Clarkson Potter; $29.95, hardcover; April 8, 2008) is Trisha Yearwood’s first book published and follows another first for the three-time Grammy Award winner who celebrated the release of her first independent album, Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love (Big Machine Records) in November 2007. USA TODAY wrote that the album “delivers everything its title promises and then some,” while PEOPLE MAGAZINE says Yearwood “infuses each tale with her pitch-perfect delivery.” 

Trisha Yearwood is one of the highest-selling female artists in Country music history. Entertainment Weekly has called her “one of the finest interpretive singers ever.” Since her 1991 debut, each of Yearwood’s eleven albums have achieved gold or platinum status with over 10 million albums sold. She has had nine #1hits and twenty Top Ten hits, including “She’s in Love With the Boy,” “Walkaway Joe,” and “How Do I Live.” In addition to three Grammy Awards, the Grand Ole Opry member is a three-time Country Music Award winner and a two-time Academy of Country Music Award winner. She has been honored with an American Music Award, a Pollstar Concert Industry Award and was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2000. She has performed at the Olympic Summer Games, the White House, Clinton ’s inauguration, dueted with Pavarotti in Italy , and was named one of Redbook Magazine’s Women of the Year in 2005.