The National Council For Adoption, a leading adoption advocacy organization, named Rodney Atkins as its 2007-2008 National Celebrity Spokesperson of the Year. The 2007 winner of the Academy of Country Music's "Best New Male Vocalist" Award will serve as keynote speaker and special musical guest at the Families for All National Parent Recruitment Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 3 in Washington, D.C.

Atkins, who has three consecutive number one singles,including the current hit "These Are My People," was adopted into his family as an infant and speaks from personal experience about the benefits of adoption.

"From the moment I met Rodney Atkins, it was clear to me that his heart is just as big as his talent," says NCFA President Tom Atwood. "Many people have been touched by his songs, and I know that many more will be inspired by his personal story and commitment to serving the cause of adoption."

"These children are the future of our nation and our families. It is important that we make sure they are taken care of," says Atkins.

"We look forward to working with Rodney to raise awareness of important adoption and foster care issues," says Atwood. "His humble willingness to become an advocate for children is evidence of the character that is the foundation of his success."

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Kansas City's new Sprint Center, opening in October, will be the site of Garth Brooks' "One Artist, One City, One Time" show set for Nov. 14 at 7:30pm.

"Several months ago we'd announced that we would perform a thank-you concert for our friends at Wal-Mart," Brooks said in a statement released to Country Aircheck. "They'd suggested either Fayetteville or Kansas City. AEG was kind enough to help us out with this concert and offered the opening of the new Sprint Center. We were thrilled since this allowed us the opportunity to make this an even bigger party by opening up the concert to the public."

Ticketmaster.com is reporting that tickets will go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 3, and will be priced at $25.

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Toby Keith and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler have been added to the all-star lineup for CMT GIANTS: HANK WILLIAMS, JR which honors the extraordinary life and music of the legendary Hank Williams Jr. The two hour special, CMT GIANTS: HANK WILLIAMS, JR, will be taped before a live audience on Thursday, October 25 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and tickets are on sale now. The previously announced line-up includes performances by superstars Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Buddy Guy, with more soon to be announced. Jimmy Kimmel and Terry Bradshaw are slated to present. CMT GIANTS: HANK WILLIAMS, JR will premiere on CMT on Saturday, November 17 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT.

The CMT GIANTS franchise began last year when Reba McEntire was honored for her stellar career by such stars as Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, LeAnn Rimes, Megan Mullally, Wynonna and Dolly Parton, each of whom paid tribute to Reba by lending their voices to her biggest hits.

CMT GIANTS is produced by Tom Forrest and Tailight TV. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT. More information at cmt.com.

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Country star Travis Tritt and rockers ZZ Top are set to come together at the crossroads of Country and rock for a pair of once-in-a-lifetime shows on October 13 and 14. The two legendary acts will barnstorm the Midwest when their respective tours collide at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Indiana on October 13, and at Dayton, Ohio's Nutter Center the following night.

Anyone who's ever caught one of Tritt's incredible live performances will tell you this Georgia boy can rock. ZZ Top has always delivered its timeless brand of Lone Star boogie with a distinctive southern drawl. In other words, this is a concert match made in music heaven.

Tritt takes a bold step in an exciting new musical direction with his latest release, The Storm. Working with producer Randy Jackson of "American Idol," the Marietta, Georgia native digs deep to uncover his soulful side.

The result is an album that marks the artistic pinnacle of a career that has already produced two Grammys, three CMA Awards and 25 million albums sold.

The album's lead single, "You Never Take Me Dancing," is currently climbing the charts, while its accompanying video is airing on CMT and GAC.

ZZ Top is currently in the throes of a grueling tour schedule that has the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers performing sold out shows from coast-to-coast to some of the rowdiest, most devoted fans in all of rock 'n' roll. The band is planning to record more new music later this year.

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650 AM WSM recently announced September 27 as the date of the third annual "From Tootsies to the Ryman" talent search that will ultimately award an aspiring singer/songwriter the opportunity to perform at Nashville's premier performance venue, the historic Ryman Auditorium, as part of the station's 82nd anniversary celebration.

The talent search was inspired by the days when country music greats such as Patsy Cline and Little Jimmy Dickens would, after performing on the Grand Ole Opry, walk across the alley that passes between the Ryman and Tootsies Orchid Lounge.   Run as an open audition, the competition invites talented singer/songwriters to perform at Tootsies on Thursday, September 27, between 4pm and 7pm.  Each competitor will perform one original song.  The judging panel will select ten finalists to perform again between 7:30pm and 10pm.  A grand prize winner will be announced that same night and be awarded the opening slot at the 650 AM WSM 82nd Anniversary Listener Appreciation Concert at the Ryman Auditorium.  

Serving as judges will be Jimmy Carter (WSMV-TV), Beverly Keel (The Tennessean) and Monica Powers (Vietti Vinyl).  The 650 AM WSM 82nd Anniversary Listener Appreciation Concert will be held on October 29th at the Ryman Auditorium.  Headlining at this year's concert will be Vince Gill and Mel Tillis, with host Ralph Emery.  This year's show has a special "Hall of Fame" theme with Emery, Gill, and Tillis all being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame at the annual Medallion Ceremony the night before appearing on the Ryman stage.  Tickets for the Anniversary Show go on sale this Friday at 5 pm.  Past headlining acts have included Country Music Hall of Fame Members Glen Campbell and Ray Price.

For more information on the competition, visit www.wsmonline.com.

ABOUT 650 AM WSM

650 AM WSM's first official broadcast day was October 5, 1925.  The station is the radio home for the Grand Ole Opry, which has been broadcast live over the airwaves since its inception.  WSM can be picked up in 38 states on 650 AM and worldwide on www.wsmonline.com.  650 AM WSM is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that owns and operates Gaylord Hotels and the Grand Ole Opry.  For more information, visit www.wsmonline.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.

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Back in August, Garth Brooks hosted a country radio Program Director event at his home just outside of Nashville to announce the release of his new project, "Garth Brooks: The Ultimate Hits."

During this event, Garth mentioned that there could be a "road trip" involved with promoting this new project.

Now, Garth has set the first one in place. Garth has scheduled a show for Nov. 14 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Radio stations are announcing the show today (9/27), and giving details on the ticket sales. Tickets are scheduled to be on sale October 3.

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