Check out this interview with Amber Hayes during CRS!
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CRS 2012: Interview With Amber Hayes
CRS 2012: Interview With Glen Templeton
Check out this interview we did with Glen Templeton during CRS 2012!
My First Experience At The ACMs
The Band Perry performing at ACM Awards 2012. Photo credit: Getty Images
Where do I even begin to tell you about this amazing experience? It’s been a dream of mine ever since I first started getting into country music 12 years ago to attend the ACMs. They always seemed like so much fun AND in Las Vegas, which is always an incredibly fun city to be in! Did I EVER think that I would get there? NO! I never imagined that one day I would be sitting in that very audience wearing a beautiful dress and taking it all in myself. Never in a million years!
As I sat there and the show began, I actually began to cry a little. Thankfully it was dark so nobody could see my tears. They were happy tears. I was overwhelmed. After everything I have been through in the last 3 years, did I ever think this would be a possibility? No, I did not and I’ll tell you why…
Almost 3 years ago in May, I was diagnosed with MS. At the time, my doctor told me that I had the most aggressive case of MS that he had ever witnessed. I had already lost use of my left hand and 3 flare ups in less than a month from MS had left 75% of my body numb. I was falling constantly and memory problems. My doctor wasn’t sure if the medication was going to work on me, but he put me on strict house rest to give me the best possible chance for the medication to take hold of my body because he said didn’t know what would be able to do if not. My supervisor even tried to convince me to apply for full disability from work since appeared that I possibly would not recover from this. My family was even making plans to take care of me on a permanent basis and thought might be best that I sell my condo to move home to be taken care of.
For those of you who might not know what MS actually is, it’s an autoimmune disease where your own body attacks the CNS (central nervous system). No 2 cases of MS are ever alike and one person’s course of the disease can be completely different from another’s. As aggressive as my case started, there was a very good chance that soon I would be in a wheelchair or blind. Realities that I didn’t want to face and because of I lost hope for a while. I had lost all of my confidence in myself, and thought it was the end of all my hopes & dreams.
Laura Bell Bundy performs at ACMs Fremont Street Experience
So, for the first 2 years, I was in a very dark place in my life. I had to learn my limitations and I relied very heavily on my faith. I, also, had to find the hope and the confidence that I had lost. I had to learn to fight and not let this disease take me. I learned that I have more strength than I ever knew was there before and I learned that I am no quitter.
I have done that now and it’s because of this music blog, Focus on the 615, that I created in August 2011. I am a better person now. Doing this and focusing on what I love has saved my life. Music has saved my life repeatedly. It saved me from the sadness of the loss of my dad to Alzheimer’s in May 2006 when I decided to start a benefit music series in Nashville to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and in memory of my dad. Music saved again when I was diagnosed with MS in May 2009 when my friends I had met in music put together a benefit for ME to give me hope and support. It continues to save me now through this work on Focus on the 615.
I love music and the people who make it. That’s why I do what I do. I love being able to support those I believe in and give back to what gave me myself back. And, I love being able to share my talents and get creative through photography & videos. Every bit of it I love. It gives me hope and it keeps me positive! So I will always support the music and those people that I love for those reasons.
Backstage at ACMs Fremont Street Experience: Rod Essig (CAA), Jana Kramer, Rob Light (CAA)
Why did I not ever think I would be at the ACMs? Because they are simply the ACMs! Who am I really? How would anyone ever let ME attend? I’m not sure how worthy I am to attend such a prestigious weekend of events. Secondly, I thought I might actually be in a wheelchair now because of MS, unable to even hold my camera, or blind. Not able to enjoy any of this or able to pursue my dreams.
Anyway, enough of that, I just wanted to explain. Back to the ACMs!
Each day, I took in the ACM Experience, a fun outdoor/indoor festival of music, food, and more over at Mandalay Bay. So much fun! Many artists performed there and did autograph signings, too. A little bit like CMA Music Festival.
I was permitted to cover the ACM Fremont Street Experience concerts that took place the 2 days prior to the actual award show in downtown Las Vegas under this cool covered area with a light show at night. Wow, was that ever fun! Each night of the concerts there were over 22,000 people present in the crowd. I was front row in the press area and backstage for these 2 nights of special shows featuring: Love & Theft, Hunter Hayes, Brantley Gilbert, Scotty McCreery, Eric Church, Jana Kramer, Luke Bryan, Eli Young Band, Laura Bell Bundy, and Craig Campbell. All full band shows and all amazing in their own right! They each fed off the energy of the enormous crowd and gave it their all showing why exactly they are each forces to be reckoned with in the country music industry.
I took tons of amazing pictures that you can see right here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63968823@N03/
During the actual award show on Sunday, April 1st, I attended the ACM award show taking place at the MGM Grand and just enjoyed the evening. Hopefully, one day I can go back and experience the Red Carpet! I would LOVE to be able to shoot photographs from there, too! However, I thoroughly enjoyed the show and got to experience the best live music experience of my life!
I am grateful to do what I do. I feel very blessed. I’m also very grateful to the ACM staff and PR agency for allowing me to cover this very special weekend of events. I didn’t take one moment of it for granted and enjoyed every second of it!
If you don’t believe in anything, believe in this…there is great healing power in music. I know this because music has healed me in many ways. Not my MS, of course, it’s incurable, but today I am walking, seeing, still own my condo (I’m very much independent), happy, and doing what I love. I believe this is because of my work with music and the incredible people (many of whom I call friends) who have entered my life because of this. I, also, believe it’s due to my faith and my trust in God. I never lost faith and no matter what life throws at you, neither should you.
Dreams CAN come true if you continue to believe and you work for them. 🙂
Buddy Jewell And T J Bell, You’ve Been GHERMed!
Or wait, I think it’s was the other way around?! They GHERMed ME!!! Happens to me all the time….soooo embarrassing! JOKE! haha 😉
No pictures, please! Now, THIS is kind of embarrassing! Yes, it's true, I'm kinda a big deal in China... haha Not! Of course, Matt's more obsessed with himself...
Definition of a GHERM:
Someone who slavishly follows and sucks up to a celebrity. A fan to excessive degree. Usually applied to one who makes people uncomfortable by their adoration.
“That guy is such a gherm. He buys every piece of merchandise related to that singer and attends every show.”
A person not affiliated with the music industry but who has connections that can get them backstage concert access. They then get backstage and totally get in the way of those who are supposed to be there working. Term originated at Starwood Amphitheater in Antioch, TN during the summer of 1990.
“Wow, this load-out would be a breeze but the gherms at this Jimmy Buffet show are totally getting in the way!”
Troy Gentry, You’ve Been GHERMed!
Having a little bit more fun with celebrities! 🙂
A little GHERMing on the driving range with Troy Gentry from Montgomery Gentry. How much do you think that ball might be worth on eBay? lol
Definition of a GHERM:
Someone who slavishly follows and sucks up to a celebrity. A fan to excessive degree. Usually applied to one who makes people uncomfortable by their adoration.
“That guy is such a gherm. He buys every piece of merchandise related to that singer and attends every show.”
A person not affiliated with the music industry but who has connections that can get them backstage concert access. They then get backstage and totally get in the way of those who are supposed to be there working. Term originated at Starwood Amphitheater in Antioch, TN during the summer of 1990.
“Wow, this load-out would be a breeze but the gherms at this Jimmy Buffet show are totally getting in the way!”
CRS 2012: Interview With Marlee Scott
Check out this fun interview with Marlee Scott! 🙂
CRS 2012: Interview With Frankie Ballard
Check out this interview below with country artist, Frankie Ballard!
Storme Warren, You’ve Been GHERMed!
Having fun with GAC’s Storme Warren at the Christmas4Kids Celebrity Golf Scramble! 🙂
A little GAC-style GHERMing with host, Storme Warren!
Definition of a GHERM:
Someone who slavishly follows and sucks up to a celebrity. A fan to excessive degree. Usually applied to one who makes people uncomfortable by their adoration.
“That guy is such a gherm. He buys every piece of merchandise related to that singer and attends every show.”
A person not affiliated with the music industry but who has connections that can get them backstage concert access. They then get backstage and totally get in the way of those who are supposed to be there working. Term originated at Starwood Amphitheater in Antioch, TN during the summer of 1990.
“Wow, this load-out would be a breeze but the gherms at this Jimmy Buffet show are totally getting in the way!”
Shame On You, Country Radio!
I have watched and I have held my tongue long enough about this subject. WHY is country radio not playing and promoting more solo female artists? WHY do they not give these incredibly talented female solo artists, female duos, and female trios equal airplay like they give their male counterparts?
Female artists: solo, duos, and trios are being dropped from labels left and right because they aren’t selling as much as male artists. This all goes directly back to they aren’t getting equal airplay as the male artists. Airplay that means promotion that leads right back to album sales. If they are never heard or heard very little, how can they be expected to sell albums and show tickets? WHY is this??? Most female artists can sing CIRCLES around most of the male artists out there. You know this is true! I can run down a complete list right now and prove my point. Stop being a “good ole boys club”, country radio!
Why am I so frustrated about this? Because I know some of these female artists that have been dropped from labels or that are struggling to be heard on country radio, that’s why!
Now, there are some supportive radio stations and DJs out there, but for the most part, country radio is being run by these large companies and people at the actual radio stations have no say in the playlist. It gets decided for them. There are a handful of completely independent stations out there, but sadly, most of the large radio stations are owned by a large company like Clear Channel, who owns most of the radio stations out there and they are dominating the market–controlling it.
All I’m saying is give the female artists in country music EQUAL airplay and let their music be heard! Let your listening audiences decide if they like them and give them a chance to succeed. Until you do that, I will just say “shame on you, country radio” because it’s wrong and you know it!!
$32,000 Raised For Middle Tennessee Children During Inaugural Christmas 4 Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament
Mount Juliet, TN (April 12, 2012) – On April 10, golfers hit the course with their favorite sports and music celebrities raising over $32,000 during the inaugural 2012 Christmas 4 Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament Presented By: PREVOST at Pine Creek Golf Course in Mount Juliet, TN. This year’s co-hosts Tennessee Titans Placekicker, Rob Bironas and 2011 ICM “Bluegrass Artist of the Year,” The Roys and their fellow teammates, artists, and musicians including Brett Kern, Troy Gentry, Colin McCarthy, Buddy Jewell, Joe Diffie, Craig Stevens, Tracy Lawrence, Tim Shaw, Keith Burns and Doyle Lawson enjoyed a day of fun that will give Middle Tennessee children the chance to experience the gift of giving during the Christmas season. For more information on Christmas 4 Kids visit www.christmas4kids.org.
“The 2012 Christmas 4 Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament Presented By: PREVOST was a hit for everyone involved,” said Debbie Lamberson. “We raised over $32,000 that will help local children experience the gift of giving this Christmas. I am truly excited to see the look on every one of the children’s faces this December as they shop for their friends and family.”
“Elaine and I have been supporters of Christmas 4 Kids for several years now, but this is our first time co-hosting an event for the organization,” said Lee Roy of The Roys. “We are grateful to all the golfers who participated knowing the money raised will give children the opportunity to buy Christmas presents for their friends and family.”
This year the course featured themed holes and challenges including a Hole-In-One prize, a Ball in Chip Challenge, a Las Vegas Trip Hole, and Closest to the Pin Challenge where participants competed for the chance to win a $25,000 cash prize, a jar of Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey, a $1,000 cash prize, and a FREE Zoom teeth whitening experience. After the tournament the participants enjoyed a live performance by several of the celebrities taking part in the event including The Roys, Tracy Lawrence, Troy Gentry, Nathan Douglas, and Eric Lee Beddingfield. During a live auction, hands were flying for the chance to win the lyrics to “Devil Went Down to Georgia” handwritten by Charlie Daniels himself, a guitar signed by the Tennessee Titans and the opportunity to see Montgomery Gentry in concert.
In addition to the golf tournament Christmas 4 Kids features other events throughout the year including the annual Charlie Daniels & Friends Concert in November and the Tour Bus show in December. For more information on these events and how to get involved with Christmas 4 Kids visit www.christmas4kids.org.
About Christmas 4 Kids:
For over twenty years, Christmas 4 Kids has been providing children in the Middle Tennessee area with this unique opportunity to experience Christmas in a new way. Last year, Christmas 4 Kids was able to give 450 children in the Middle Tennessee area a ride on a celebrity tour bus, a party with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the chance to buy presents for their friends and family at a local Wal-Mart. Proceeds from the 2012 Celebrity Golf Tournament and other events throughout the year will go to make this reality again in December 2012.
