The response of the entire country to Tim McGraw’s Academy of Country Music Awards show performance on May 15, 2007 of his co-penned song, “If You’re Reading This,” has been nothing short of stunning.

Comments posted on the internet in response to McGraw’s tribute to the families of fallen heroes have been as heart felt and emotional as the performance itself.

“The response of the people; to see in their words how this song has touched them, is so inspiring,” said McGraw.

As a result of country radio stations playing the televised version, it debuted at number 35 on the country singles chart last week. “I want to let everyone know we are working with Tim and his label to address the fact we don’t have a studio recorded version of this song,” said manager Scott Siman, rpm management Nashville. “Tim and The Warren Brothers wrote this song only a few weeks ago and it was only a matter of days before the ACM Awards that Tim made the decision to debut this song on the show because he was so incredibly moved by its message – and what an incredible moment it was.”

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The 2007 CMA Music Festival will continue the tradition of its unique interaction between fans and their favorite celebrities with the Chevy Sports Zone featuring a variety of friendly competitions between Country Music artists, celebrities and professional athletes.

CMA Music Festival takes place Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10 in Downtown Nashville. The popular Chevy Sports Zone will reside in the parking lot between Third and Fourth Avenues (next to the Schermerhorn Symphony Hall and across the street from the Crisco® Family Zone), although a few select activities will take place in other locations (listed below). The Chevy Sports Zone is open Thursday through Saturday, June 7-9 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM/CT,) and on Sunday, June 10 (11:00 AM–3:00 PM/CT). The Chevy Sports Zone is FREE to the public.

“CMA Music Festival is dedicated to the fans and we love creating events and activities where they can interact with their favorite Country stars in unique ways,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. “The Chevy Sports Zone offers that with competitions that spotlight the artists and athletes in a different arena in contests that challenge their abilities and often bring out their competitive sides and their best sense of humor. It is a lot of fun for everyone involved.”

On Thursday, June 7 (4:30 PM/CT), “The Sixth Annual Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament,” sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corp, USA and The Sportsman Channel®, will be held in Lot R on the grounds of LP Field. In addition to Griggs, Jeremy Baxter, Rhean Boyer, Preston Brust, Tracy Byrd, Ty England, Marvin Evatt, Daniel Lee Martin, Craig Morgan, Blake Shelton, Rusty Tabor, and Neil Thrasher are confirmed to compete . Jesse and Ginger Morehead will emcee the event.  Jesse and Ginger are highly acclaimed professional archers with Jesse having won 12 world titles and Ginger winning 10.

Also hitting the bulls-eye is a New Motion Target System sponsored by The Bohning Company, Cutter, Hunter Safety System®, Mossy Oak Apparel and Mathews. And remember to smile for the cameras – the Men’s Outdoor and Recreation Network and The Sportsman Channel® will be covering all the action. Additionally, there will be NASCAR Busch Series driver autograph signings by Brent Sherman (No. 36 Big Lots! Chevrolet) and Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet).

On Friday, June 8 (1:00-3:00 PM/CT), “The Steve Azar and Friends Celebrity Sports Challenge,” presented by On The Run® at Exxon and emceed by Joe Dubin of WKRN-TV, will be held in the Chevy Sports Zone. A fan favorite with an astounding array of sports champions and celebrities competing alongside artists in friendly team competitions of basketball, football, golf, soccer, and more. Participants include, among others:

o Terry Ahola, U.S. Olympic Ski Team member
o Dave Archer, former NFL quarterback (Atlanta Falcons/Miami Dolphins)
o Deana Carter
o Jeanne Cho-Hunicke, LPGA Tour player
o Steve Cole, former NFL linebacker (Cleveland Browns/Philadelphia Eagles)
o Blue County
o Craig Hentrich, NFL punter (Tennessee Titans) and two-time Pro-Bowler
o Angela Jerman, LPGA Tour player from neighboring Columbus, Georgia
o Jim Kelly, former NFL Quarterback (Buffalo Bills) and NFL Hall of Fame member
o John–Paul Lavoisier, “Rex Balsom” on ABC Daytime’s “One Life to Live”
o Ray Lloyd, American pro wrestler and one-time NWA Tag Team Champion
o Julie Roberts
o Jay Teter
o Gino Torretta, Heisman Winner and former NFL Quarterback (Seattle Seahawks)
o Gary Valentine, “Danny Heffernan” on the CBS Television Network Series “The King of Queens”
o Mark Wills

Back by popular demand on Saturday, June 9 (show times 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM/CT) – John Misita and his amazing K9's in Flight – the premiere Frisbee Dog entertainers in the world. With more than 15 years of professional experience, they have dazzled audiences in more than 200 cities and have been seen on The Discovery Channel, ESPN, The Disney Channel, Animal Planet, HBO, and more. The amazing K9’s in Flight team has also toured with Animal Planet, The NFL Experience, and Ringling Brothers “Greatest Show on Earth.”

Sunday, June 10 (1:00-3:00 PM/CT), spotlights “The Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race.” During the event, Country Music artists and celebrities will race against the clock through an obstacle course on a New Holland compact tractor. Participants include, among others:

• Deborah Allen
• Rachel Baribeau, "In The Zone" sports talk show host
• Billy Block, host of “Billy Block’s Western Beat” radio show
• Woody Bradshaw
• Lane Brody
• Brad Cotter
• Stacey David
• Billy Dean
• Todd Fritsch
• Ty Herndon
• Joe Jobe, CEO of National Biodiesel Board
• Kelly Keagy, member Night Ranger rockband
• Josh Leo, songwriter
• Love and Theft band
• Rockie Lynne
• Armond Morales, founding member of  Gospel quartet “The Imperials”
• Cactus Moser, former member Highway 101
• Robert K. Oermann, music journalist
• Jimmy Olander, member of Diamond Rio
• Robert Ellis Orrall
• Billy Pierson
• Bobby Pinson
• Colt Prather
• DJ Skelton, active duty Captain U.S. Army
• Arlos Smith, two time SESAC Songwriter of the Year
• Billy Yates

 “When approached by CMA about a tractor race featuring celebrity drivers, the concept was not only greeted with great enthusiasm, but the CMA staff worked closely with us to assure that the program would be a success,” said Michael Peterson, celebrity spokesperson for New Holland. “The teamwork we shared with the CMA, along with the true professional friendship we developed together, was the backbone of our success and the reason we are back again in 2007. When you work with great people, great ideas happen, and we're proud to now be a successful part of this tremendous music festival.”

A New Holland Boomer compact tractor that was signed by last year’s participating celebrities will be available through an online auction until midnight on Saturday, June 9. Half of the winning bid will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; the other half goes to last year’s winner Wade Hayes’ selected charity, Habitat for Humanity. The winner will be announced at the race on Sunday, June 10. This year’s autographed tractor will be offered on the virtual auction block, too; once again the winning driver picks his or her favorite charity for half of New Holland’s donation, with the rest going to the National Future Farmers of America.

The Chevy Sports Zone will host many other activities and displays sponsored by Chevrolet throughout the four days of CMA Music Festival. Chevy is one of the most dominate forces in the racing circuit. From NASCAR® to the American Le Mans, road racing to off-road truck competition, Chevy has raced almost everywhere and won. The Chevy Racing Tour celebrates this fact and lets you get an up-close look at a few of the vehicles that have helped inspire the next big, revolutionary ideas from Chevrolet. Check out the following vehicles at the Chevy display: No. 8 Monte Carlo Cup Car, No. 48 Monte Carlo Cup Car, ALMS Corvette C6.R, Race Modified Cobalt Drag Car, the SEMA “427” Silverado and Orange County Choppers Silverado, plus Static Race Car engines and a special visit from one of NASCAR’s most beloved cars, the No. 3 car. Chevy will also provide you an opportunity to take a picture with this storied NASCAR vehicle.

While in the Chevy Sports Zone, you can take a ride on the Chevy FLW Ranger Boat Simulator. You can also answer the call to recycle with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, with information about how to recycle used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones to help preserve our own natural resources.

If you need a bite to eat, grab a snack from Back Yard Burger. Additional exhibitors include, Bluegreen Corp, Coyote Ugly Saloon, Dasani Plus, Full Throttle, Holiday Inn, Mossy Oak Apparel, Nashville Sounds, On the Run® at Exxon, Vanderbilt EMT Services and Yamaha Motor Corp., USA.

To order tickets for the 2007 CMA Music Festival call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600.

A limited number of tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are on sale for $40 for reserved seats and $30 for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field (plus applicable handling fees) by visiting www.ticketmaster.com to buy online; or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600 or 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). The Nightly Concerts are also included in the Festival’s four-day ticket packages, which can be purchased through the same means.

For up-to-the-minute information about travel information, schedules, artists appearing and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for e-news or purchase official CMA Music Festival merchandise.

Chevrolet has extended its long-time partnership with the Country Music Association for an additional three years, making Chevy the Official Ride of Country Music through at least 2009. Chevrolet, a division of General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), is one of America’s best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Borders® Books & Music: The Official Music & Book retailer of the CMA Music Festival. Additional promotional partners include Allstate Insurance Company, American Airlines, AT&T-Tennessee, BMI, Back Yard Burger, Bluegreen Corporation, The Bohning Company, Carl Black Chevrolet, Cavender’s, Cici’s Pizza®, CMT®, Coca-Cola®, Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, Country Weekly, Coyote Ugly® Saloon, Crisco®, Dasani Plus®, Doinker®, Dr Pepper®, GAC Great American Country, Greased Lightning Cleaning Products®, Gibson Guitar®, Hard Rock Café Nashville, Holiday Inn® Hotels, Hunter Safety System®, Mathews, Inc., Mossy Oak Apparel, Music Festivals®, Nashville Sounds, New Holland Agriculture Equipment S.p.A., On the Run® at Exxon, Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, The Sportsman Channel®, Wrangler® and Yamaha Motor Corp., USA. EMT services are provided by Vanderbilt Sports Medicine and Vanderbilt Life Flight. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA.      

Smucker's®, JIF®, Crisco®, Hungry Jack®, Martha White®, Uncrustables® and White Lily® are registered trademarks of The J.M. Smucker Company. 

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Warner Bros. Records multi-platinum duo Big & Rich is set to put forth their third studio release, Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace, June 5th.  Their debut book, Big & Rich: All Access, will hit shelves the same day.  Big & Rich will kick off the releases with an appearance on NBC’s Today Show Summer Concert Series on June 1st, where they’ll perform the fastest-rising single of their career, “Lost In This Moment,” which is quickly becoming the hottest wedding song of the season.  The much-anticipated album is also highlighted by guest performances from John Legend, who lends vocals to the track “Eternity,” as well as Wyclef Jean, who wrote and recorded a rap for “Please Man.”  Lil Jon also adds his own personal touch to the “Country Club” re-mix of “Loud,” available as a bonus track at iTunes when you pre-order the deluxe version of Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace.

Big & Rich will be high-profile this weekend, beginning with Today Show and a feature in People, on stands June 1st.  Their hour-long special, Big & Rich: Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace, will premiere on GAC June 2nd at 9pm (re-airing throughout the weekend).  June 3rd, they will grace the cover of The Tennessean, and the following Sunday will be featured in the LA Times.  Big & Rich will perform on the Tonight Show’s  Outdoor Concert Series June 18th, the Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson June 20th,  and live from Kansas City for the CBS Early Show Concert Series August 10th.  Their high-voltage live concerts will also be featured this summer on CMT’s Summerfest Concert Series and the CMA Music Fest ABC Special.  Look for them to appear on Access Hollywood, CMT Top 20 Countdown, GAC Top 20, GAC Nights, in Blender, Country Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, and much more.

This weekend, Big & Rich’s image will appear on no less than 500 million Pepsi cans, the design of which Big & Rich will unveil at the downtown Nashville Hard Rock Café next Thursday during CMA Music Fest.  The duo will make several appearances at the upcoming festival to promote the CD and book release, including an autograph session at the Borders booth in the Nashville Convention Center and a signing and performance at the West End FYE store from 2:00-4:00pm Thursday, June 7th.  On July 3rd, Big & Rich will also appear at an Evans City, PA Wal-Mart and a Florence, KY Meijer.  

Big & Rich's All Access podcast, “the ultimate backstage pass to the hottest act in country music,” is now live in iTunes.   Fans are invited to subscribe for free and listen to the first episode, “Country Music Without Prejudice,” now.  The next episode, “MuzikMafia,” drops this week.  Stay tuned for all six installations.  Big & Rich’s “Soundcheck” is also now live at Walmart.com.  Tune in for exclusive interview footage and in-studio performance footage of songs from all three of Big & Rich’s albums.

The world was introduced to the genre-bending super-duo with the release of their May 2004 triple-platinum, #1 debut release Horse Of A Different Color, which spawned such hits as “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy),” “Holy Water” and “Big Time.”  Their follow-up CD, Comin’ To Your City, was released in November 2005 and has also achieved platinum status, fueled by hits like the title track and the much-nominated “8th of November.”  Both John Rich and Big Kenny have been crowned songwriters of the year by their respective performing rights organizations.  Big Kenny is the 2005 BMI Songwriter Of The Year, and recently scored his first #1 hit for Tim McGraw’s "Last Dollar."  John Rich is the ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the year two years running, and has penned #1 hits for Gretchen Wilson, Faith Hill, and Jason Aldean.  Rich is also a prolific producer, having worked with John Anderson, Cowboy Troy, Randy Owen, Jewel, Gretchen Wilson and many more.
 

2007 Tour Dates

6/8/07 Pryor, OK Country Fever Fest

6/9/07 Comstock, NE Comstock Windmill Festival

6/16/07 Elizabeth, IN Caesars Indiana-Olympus Outdoor Arena

6/23/07 Manhattan, KS Country Stampede Festival Grounds

6/24/07 Cadott, WI Chippewa Valley Country Festival

6/30/07 Walker, MN Moondance Fairgrounds

7/1/07 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest-Harley Davidson Stage

7/4/07 Pittsburgh, PA PNC Park

7/6/07 Fort Loramie, OH Country Concert at Hickory Hills Lake

7/13/07 Calgary, AB Saddledome

7/14/07 Craven, SK Craven Country Jamboree

7/27/07 Cheyenne, WY Cheyenne Frontier Days

7/28/07 Minot, ND North Dakota State Fair

8/1/07 Great Falls, MT Montana State Fair

8/4/07 Davenport, IA Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds

8/7/07 Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Empire Fairgrounds

8/10/07 Niagara Falls, ON Niagara Fallsview Casino

8/11/07 Bethlehem, PA Bethlehem Musikfest

8/16/07 Sedalia, MO Missouri State Fair

9/3/07 Canfield, OH Mahoning County Fairgrounds

9/19/07 Puyallup, WA Western Washington Fair

12/9/07 Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas Hilton Theater

12/10/07 Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas Hilton Theater

12/11/07 Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas Hilton Theater

Track Listing

1. Intro

2. Lost In This Moment

3. Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace

4. Faster Than Angels Fly

5. Eternity (Feat. John Legend) Intro

6. Eternity

7. When The Devil Gets The Best Of Me

8. Radio Intro

9. Radio

10. You Never Stop Loving Somebody

11. High Five

12. Please Man (Feat. Wyclef Jean)

13. You Shook Me All Night Long

14. Loud

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His concerts might pack the intensity of Van Halen in the '90s, but the triple Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year knows where his roots are. With all the acclaim for his high energy, good-time concerts – last year's The Road & The Radio Tour sold in excess of 1.3 million tickets – he remains, at his core, an artist driven by great songs and pure music.

Currently in the studio between dates, finishing the follow-up to the triple platinum The Road & The Radio which included the multiple week #1s “Summertime,” “Living In Fast Forward” and his own self-penned “Beer In Mexico,” Chesney's pulled together his most diverse set of songs to date. So it's no surprise that he would draw on the catalogue of bluegrass sensation Ronnie Bowman and break-out hard country writer Chris Stapleton for his first single, “Never Wanted Nothing More.”

“Only in country music can you get laid and saved, all within three minutes,” Chesney says with a grin. “And the thing about the song… it really is how life is lived, what we want and the way nothing else feels like that moment when you finally get it.”

The plucky song, which leans heavily on banjo, acoustic guitars and a staccato beat, is everything Chesney and his life represents to his fans. With an aw-shucks yearning and unbridled desire, it takes one through the stages of coming of age and growing up with a shine and an innocent thrill.

“I'm really lucky, because my fans are music lovers – and they let me do all kinds of things. It keeps it exciting for everybody,” the man, currently in the midst of his 2007 Flip Flop Summer Tour – presented by Cruzan Rum, explains. “This song isn't maybe what people are expecting, but then the best things never are.”

With anticipation for new music from the man who is also the all genre People's Choice Male Music Artist of the Year and two-time and current Country Music Entertainer of the Year at a feverpitch, BNA is going to simultaneously download every radio station in America on Monday, June 4th. The instantaneous service means the music will be available for airplay just as the Flip Flop Summer Tour heads into the NFL Stadiums in six major markets, starting in Pittsburgh June 9th.

“To me, all the way back to when I was writing songs at Acuff Rose, learning from people like Dean Dillon and Whitey Shaffer, it's about the songs,” Chesney says, clearly pleased. “And we've got some great ones for this next album. The hardest part was figuring out where to start with which song to release first from this new record, but the good news is there's plenty of great music to come. And I'm ready 'cause as good as the last couple have been, this is a whole other level for us.”

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After 40 years of touring and traveling America’s highways, Merle Haggard believed his music would be a natural fit with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (“Cracker Barrel”). So when Cracker Barrel came calling for an exclusive CD, Haggard sifted through more than 600 songs in his archives and selected twelve previously unreleased recordings that seemed just right. With the Cracker Barrel release of Working Man’s Journey, Merle Haggard has blended new songs with new recordings of some of his classics. The result is an impressive recording that strengthens a growing collection of exclusive music that can be found only at Cracker Barrel.

“I had the working man in mind when I went through the archives,” said Merle Haggard. “All of these songs seem to work together. We’re talking about a guy who spent his lifetime writing songs for the common man. These are all working man songs.”

On sale now at 559 Cracker Barrel locations and online at crackerbarrel.com, Working Man’s Journey captures Haggard’s songwriting talents that have earned 38 number one hits and more than 30 top honors from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the Grammy Awards. In addition to previously unreleased versions of six classic songs, Working Man’s Journey features six new songs that contribute to Haggard’s legendary status as the “voice of the common man.” Haggard fans will quickly identify with “C’mon Sixty-Five,” a tribute to the working man who dreams of retirement.

“Merle Haggard’s songwriting speaks volumes about the spirit of America’s heartland,” said Simon Turner, Chief Marketing Officer at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. “Working Man’s Journey showcases an artist whose talent and blue-collar style define country music. The new music on this CD shows how Merle’s songwriting continues to connect with working men and women.”

Haggard also appreciates the CD’s nostalgic touch. Haggard first recorded “Shade Tree Fix-It Man” for an album in 1965. A previously unreleased version, recorded some 30 years later, is featured on Working Man’s Journey. Haggard says the song reminds him of fishing trips with his favorite uncle, a man who often fixed his own truck.

“I think back to when I was nine years old. We would throw a two-man boat in the back of that silver truck,” says Haggard. “Every time I see an old 1931 Model A pickup, it takes me back. These songs are all gathered from my garden of creativity. They take me back to a thought I had at one time and I was able to make use of it. It’s nostalgic to me for different reasons than what it might be for the fans.”

With a retail price of $11.99, Working Man’s Journey also features previously unreleased versions of classic Haggard songs including “If We Make It Through December,” “Are The Good Times Really Over,” “Working Man Blues,” “Kern River” and “Rainbow Stew.”

With the release of Working Man’s Journey, Cracker Barrel continues to build its impressive collection of exclusive CDs. The most recent release, Songs Of The Year, features new recordings by today’s top country performers including Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, Dierks Bentley & George Jones. Cracker Barrel has also released exclusive CDs by Alison Krauss & Union Station, Charlie Daniels, Amy Grant and Sara Evans. Following the Merle Haggard CD, Cracker Barrel will release an exclusive Josh Turner CD. Josh Turner: Live At The Ryman will be available beginning Tuesday, July 3.

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the publicly held CBRL Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBRL). Cracker Barrel was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn.

Each Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® unit is modeled after a 1900-era country store, featuring old photographs, authentic antiques, memorabilia and a real wood-burning fireplace with a stone hearth to add a warm cozy touch to the dining room. The restaurant serves up classic comfort foods such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as made-from-scratch biscuits using an old family recipe. The retail store has more than 2,700 gift items including accessories for the home, old-fashioned candies, books on audio, nostalgic items, and children’s games and puzzles, including classic favorites such as Raggedy Ann® & Andy® and Slinky®.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. operates 559 company-owned locations in 41 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. For more information, visit www.crackerbarrel.com.

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Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America, edited by Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash and published by DK Publishing was announced as the winner of the Belmont Book Award at the International Country Music Conference. The book is a project of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Foundation, whose photos were used extensively in this comprehensive history of country music. Pictured from L to R:  F. Lynn Bachleda, Eddy Arnold, Paul Kingsbury and awards Chair Don Cusic.

Founder and owner of Bear Family Records in Germany, Richard Weize, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.  The collector's items are a comprehensive retrospective of an artists career containing rare pictures, memorabilia, and a detailed discography. Bear Family has issued boxed sets of complete recordings by country music legends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.  Bear Family Records was launched in 1975 and is the world leader in record reissues. Pictured from L to R: Richard Weize and Don Cusic.

 

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