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Brantley Gilbert to Perform 45-Minute Coca-Cola 600 Pre-Race Concert

By on April 30, 2014 in In The Press

Chart-topping country music star Brantley Gilbert will get fans pumped for the Coca-Cola 600 with a special 45-minute frontstretch pre-race concert presented by Coca-Cola and the USO on Sunday, May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

Gilbert will amp up the energy, performing “Bottoms Up” and more new songs from his upcoming album JUST AS I AM (The Valory Music Co.), slated for release on May 19. The lead single topped the Country airplay charts and has scored the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Country Singles Chart, already selling more than 1 million downloads while the accompanying video boasts more than 14.2 million views. Fans can also sing along to chart-topping, GOLD-certified hits “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.”

 

“I can definitely relate to the high-adrenaline NASCAR crowds. Music and racing fans have a lot in common – they’re pretty rowdy and diehard! It’s no wonder I’ve loved both my whole life,” said Gilbert. “The fastest half-mile track in Georgia was literally five minutes from my house growing up and we were always there. My dad even worked on a racing team in the Hooter’s [Pro] Cup Series for a while. I love the smell of gas, the motor and the tires. Being able to play a show for like-minded people and having them party their tails off at the same time is going to be a blast … I can’t wait for Charlotte Motor Speedway!”

 

Gilbert has racked up four No. 1 singles, impressive album sales of more than 1 million and multiple award show nominations from the CMA, ACM, ACA & CMT Music Awards. In 2013, he won the ACM for New Male Artist. As a celebrated songwriter, he has also penned No. 1 songs – “My Kinda Party,” “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.”

 

For just $99, fans can get a Coca-Cola 600 weekend ticket package with a frontstretch ticket to the race, delivering the best views of the Brantley Gilbert concert on Sunday, May 25.

 

The weekend package also includes a ticket to LiftMaster Pole Night and the Saturday afternoonHISTORY 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Tickets can be purchased by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

For tour dates and more visit www.brantleygilbert.com.

 

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Average Joes’ “Mud Digger 5” Hits Streets May 19

By on April 30, 2014 in In The Press
“Mud Digger 5,” the fifth installment of Average Joes Entertainment’s top-selling “Mud Digger” compilation series, is set for release May 19, 2014. Driving the album are label newcomers Sarah Ross, whose audition on American Idollead to her record deal (click here to view), Arkansas native, Cap Bailey and Kentucky 4-wheeling pioneers, Twang and Round. “Mud Digger 5,” is available for pre-order here .  Each physical album sold will include a free ticket for admission to any 2015 Average Joes Entertainment Mega Truck Series Race (www.megatruckseries.com).
Continuing the tradition, “Mud Digger 5,” executive produced by Shannon “Fat Shan” Houchins and Doug Kaye, celebrates mud, fun, bogging, and outrageous off-road entertainment with exciting new music devoted to the outdoor lifestyle. The album includes never-released songs by country star Colt Ford, The Lacs, Bubba Sparxxx and Rehab’s Danny Boone (featuring Lenny Cooper). Since its introduction in 2010, this series has sold more than 300,000 albums, and each album has consistently landed on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Introduced on “Mud Digger 5” are Sarah Ross, Cap Bailey and Twang and Round.  A talented singer/rapper/songwriter, Ross is the first female artist to contribute to this new blend of music for which Average Joes is known. Her track, “Shotgun,” tells the sordid story of a woman scorned and showcases her versatile vocal abilities. Cap Bailey’s “Dip-N-Brews,” sings of a southern boy’s favorite pastimes with good buddies (watch the trailer for the videohere). Twang and Round’s “All Wired Up” showcases this hot, new country duo’s comedic side and outgoing personalities. The duo is managed by Fly South Music Group (Paramore, A Day to Remember).
“Mud Digger 5” Track Listing
1) Truck Step – Colt Ford

2) Dip-N-Brews – Cap Bailey
3) All Wired Up – Twang and Round
4) Country Folks REMIX – Bubba Sparxxx f/ Colt Ford, JJ Lawhorn, & I4NI
5) Goin’ Deep – The Lacs f/ Luke Martin
6) Shotgun – Sarah Ross
7) Big Foot – Danny Boone f/ Lenny Cooper
8) Wheelz Fall Off – Demun Jones
9) Too Easy – Moonshine Bandits f/ Daniel Lee
10) Hillbillies With Guitars – LoCash Cowboys
11) Country Boes – Redneck Souljers f/ J Rosevelt

12) Standard American – Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys
13) Smoke Stack REMIX – The Lacs f/ Cap Bailey
About Average Joes Entertainment:
Average Joes Entertainment launched in 2008 with flagship artist Colt Ford.  Since its inception, the entertainment company has expanded to housing three labels, a management company, a publishing entity and a film and television production company.  Founded by CEO Shannon Houchins, the Nashville-based entertainment company focuses on a grassroots approach, availability of product and cross-promotional opportunities to expand artist visibility.
Average Joes and affiliated labels’ growing roster of artists and projects includes Colt Ford, The LACS, LoCash Cowboys, Bubba Sparxxx, JJ Lawhorn, Charlie Farley, Lenny Cooper, the Mud Digger Series, Moonshine Bandits, Demun Jones, Danny Boone, Daniel Lee, Sarah Ross, Twang and Round and Redneck Social Club.
For more information, visit www.averagejoesent.com.
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Craig Campbell Announces Additional Artists For 2nd Annual Cornhole Challenge

By on April 30, 2014 in In The Press
Bigger Picture recording artist Craig Campbell has announced additional artists to join him at the 2nd Annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge taking place on Tuesday, June 3rd, Downtown Nashville. In addition to the previously announced Jerrod Niemann and Blackjack Billy, Lee Brice, Chase Rice, Parmalee, andThe Cadillac Three will join Campbell in his efforts to raise money and awareness for the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Colon Cancer research efforts. Tickets are availableNOW and can be found HERE.

 

This year fans will be able to participate in the Cornhole tournament alongside their favorite artists. Beginning in Mid-May, fans can bid in an online auction for their chance to participate in the tournament next to the artist of their choice. All proceeds from the auction will be going directly to the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Colon Cancer research efforts.

 

The 2nd Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge is set to take place on Tuesday, June 3rd at the Public Square Park in Downtown Nashville, corner of 3rd Ave North & Union St.  Sponsored by McPherson Guitars and Team Cocktail, the challenge will begin at 4:00 pm CST. For more information on the Cornhole tournament, please visit:http://craigcampbell.tv//craig-campbell-celebrity-cornhole-challenge

 

The T.J. Martell Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for the innovative, initial and ongoing research into the treatments and cures of leukemia, cancer, and AIDS. Craig has toured the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, spoke with teams specializing in colon cancer research, and is committed to raising funds for the cause.

 

 

ABOUT CRAIG CAMPBELL: After moving from his hometown of Lyons, Georgia to Nashville in 2002 to pursue his country music dreams, American Country Awards nominee Craig Campbell quickly picked up work as a keyboardist in Luke Bryan and Tracy Byrd’s bands and was later discovered playing a regular gig at legendary Nashville honky-tonk, The Stage. Since signing with Bigger Picture, he has entertained crowds across the U.S., Australia and Switzerland, performed for national TV audiences on Fox & Friends,Huckabee and Marie and has been profiled in HLN’s series Road Warriors. The singer-songwriter has earned well-deserved praise from the country’s toughest critics for his 2011 self-titled debut album and current album Never Regret, which have sold over 1 million tracks to date. Campbell’s autobiographical lead single, “Family Man” was a top 15 hit followed by fan-favorite “Fish.” His latest hit, “Keep Them Kisses Comin,’” is the follow-up single to smash “Outta My Head.”  To learn more about Craig, visit www.craigcampbell.tv and follow him on Twitter @craigcampbelltv.

 

For more information on Craig Campbell and the Celebrity Cornhole Challenge, please visit:http://www.CraigCampbell.tv

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RED BOW RECORDS DAVID FANNING RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE “DRINK YOU AWAY” TO COUNTRY RADIO/ RECEIVES EARLY MEDIA BUZZ FROM BILLBOARD, CMT, POPDUST

By on April 30, 2014 in In The Press

RED BOW Records’ artist David Fanning released his debut single to country radio yesterday, garnering double digit adds for his countrified version of pop superstar Justin Timberlake’s “Drink You Away.”

 

“The feeling I get knowing I have a song being played on country radio is unlike anything I have ever felt,” says Fanning. “I’m so thankful to country radio, my label and my fans for letting me live my dream.”

 

Fanning’s “Drink You Away” is available now at iTunes:http://smarturl.it/drinkyouaway

 

Watch the studio cut performance video of “Drink You Away” here:http://smarturl.it/DYAStudioCut

 

Since its debut on SiriusXM’s The Highway, Fanning’s “Drink You Away” has already sold nearly 40,000 units and earned considerable acclaim from media and tastemakers, even receiving praise from Timberlake himself when the superstar tweeted about the song stating: “Never thought I would hear a song I wrote on country radio. My GrandDad is smiling from a bar in Heaven!”

 

David Fanning’s interview with CMT about his debut single is now featured on the network’s website: http://on.cmt.com/1tVQwVv

 

A Billboard “Bubbling Under” artist, Fanning has been lauded for histripartite musical prowess as an artist, songwriter and country music producer with three #1 hits already under his belt.

 

 

“David Fanning truly is the ‘poster boy’ for the term ‘triple threat.’  He can sing, play, produce–he does it all, and he does it all well.  If his incredible resume of writing and producing hits for some of our genre’s biggest artists doesn’t blow you away, his countrified, laid back re-imagining of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Drink You Away’ most definitely will.  Heck, on that note, somebody pass that Jack…or the ‘Jim and all of his friends!'”

~Samantha Stephens, CMT.com


“For his debut single. David Fanning has released a track that is at both times modern yet has a very traditional side that should play well to fans on both sides of the street in his hometown of Ardmore. (Seriously, one side of downtown is Alabama, and the other is Tennessee!) Watch out, Nashville, David’s time is now!”

                                                                  ~Chuck Dauphin, Billboard 615


“With Fanning’s latest single, he takes Timberlake’s ‘Drink You Away’ and gives it a decidedly more southern rock spin. He is so convincing that the song sounds like it was especially written for him.”

                                                                                 ~Jason Scott,Popdust.com

ABOUT DAVID FANNING:

Raised on a 100-acre farm in Ardmore, AL, RED BOW Records artist David Fanning is a triple threat artist, songwriter and producer.  Part of Nashville-based music production team New Voice, Fanning has produced three #1 hits for Thompson Square and Parmalee. Fanning’s songwriting credits include cuts for Thompson Square, Bonnie Tyler, Scotty McCreery, Tracy Lawrence and Lindsay Ell.  Additionally, Fanning co-wrote the Top 40 debut hit, “Musta Had a Good Time,” with Stoney Creek Records act Parmalee. A BMI affiliated songwriter, Fanning is signed to Magic Mustang Music.  His debut single, a country version of Justin Timberlake’s “Drink You Away,” is endorsed by the superstar and is quickly gaining buzz amongst fans and media like.

For more information on David Fanning, please visit:http://davidfanningmusic.com/

 

David Fanning Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/davidfanningmuz
http://www.twitter.com/davidfanningmuz
http://instagram.com/davidfanning

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DOLLY PARTON HEADING TO NEW YORK IN SUPPORT OF BLUE SMOKE ALBUM RELEASE

By on April 30, 2014 in In The Press

Iconic singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton is set for a whirlwind media blitz in support of her new album Blue Smokewhich will be released by Sony Music Masterworks and Dolly Records on May 13, 2014.

This past weekend’s one-hour special Dolly Parton Q Sessions Live from Nashville was just the beginning of where you will see Dolly, as she continues hitting the television airwaves to promote,BLUE SMOKE.  On May 13, you can catch Dolly as she performs on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, and appears on Wake Up with Al (Roker) and The Colbert Report.  The following day, May 14, Dolly will perform on Imus in the Morning before heading to The View.  More television and radio appearances will be announced in the coming week!

Following the album release the Blue Smoke World Tour will hit select dates in the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

TRACK LISTING:

  • Blue Smoke
  • Unlikely Angel
  • Don’t Think Twice
  • You Can’t Make Old Friends
  • Home
  • Banks of the Ohio
  • Lay Your Hands on Me
  • Miss You-Miss Me
  • If I Had Wings
  • Lover du Jour
  • From Here to the Moon and Back
  • Try

Dolly is the most honored female country performer of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, she has had 25 songs reach number 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has 41 career top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years. All-inclusive sales of singles, albums, hits collections, paid digital downloads and compilation usage during her Hall of Fame career have reportedly topped a staggering 100 million records world-wide. She has garnered 7 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, 5 Academy of Country Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards and is one of only five female artists to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award. Dolly was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.  And the litany goes on.

Dolly’s career has spanned nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down.  An internationally-renowned superstar, the iconic and irrepressible Parton has contributed countless treasures to the worlds of music, film and television.  Some of her hit films have included Nine to Five, Steel Magnolias, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone, Straight Talk, and Joyful Noise.  Parton received two Oscar® nominations – one for writing the title tune to Nine to Five and the other for Travelin’ Thru from the film Transamerica.

For more information on Dolly Parton, please visitwww.dollypartonentertainment.com

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Dierks Bentley Claims GOLD in US & Canada

By on April 30, 2014 in In The Press

Award-winning singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley’s driving “I Hold On” has officially been certified GOLD in the US by the RIAA for digital sales of over 500,000 downloads and simultaneously received GOLD certification by the CRIA in Canada. Released on Capitol Records Nashville, RISER’s lead track set the pace recently topping both radio charts, becoming Bentley’s 11th career No. one single as both a singer and songwriter.

 

Bentley is following up RISER’s GOLD single with “Nashville’s Freshest, Funniest Party Song” (Star Tribune), “Drunk On A Plane.” Fans can catch Bentley out on his headlining 2014 RISER TOUR for opening weekend in Charlotte, NC (5/9) and Raleigh, NC (5/10) next week. For a full list of tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

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Country Artists Release Anthem Highlighting Hunger in America, Generates Donation to Feeding America

By on April 28, 2014 in In The Press

What: A group of top recording artists have come together to record the original recording “Give ’Em Hope,” which supports the nationwide initiative Outnumber Hunger. Since 2011, Outnumber Hunger has helped Feeding America secure more than 25 million meals for local food banks.

 

Forty-eight percent of the anthem purchase price is being donated by Big Machine Label Group to Feeding America to benefit local food banks across the country.

 

Who: The anthem features 11 top artists and bands: Danielle Bradbery, Vince Gill, Lauren Jenkins, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Cassadee Pope, Reba, The Band Perry, The Cadillac Three, Thomas Rhett and Chris Young.

 

“Give ’Em Hope” is recorded by Nashville for Outnumber Hunger (on Big Machine Records). The anthem was written by Fancy Hagood and Megan James, and produced by James Stroud.

 

When and where: “Give ’Em Hope” is available for $1.29 on iTunes.

 

Streaming link: Nashville For Outnumber Hunger – Give ‘Em Hope

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BRANTLEY GILBERT TOPS CHARTS WITH THIRD #1 — “BOTTOMS UP”

By on April 28, 2014 in In The Press

Brantley Gilbert tops the Country radio charts for a third time with “Bottoms Up.” Selling over 1 million downloads and garnering over 14.2 million views of the accompanying video, Brantley is making a bold introduction to his May 19 release, JUST AS I AM(The Valory Music Co.).

 

Earlier this year the tune scored the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, marking Brantley’s second ascend since “Country Must Be Country Wide.” The Hot Country Songs chart, published weekly by Billboard, collects data from Nielsen BDS along with digital sales and streaming.

 

Since debuting at #1 on the iTunes Country Top Songs chart in December, “Bottoms Up,” has remained in the Top 5, even in the midst of major new releases.

 

Fans can catch Brantley’s LET IT RIDE TOUR this weekend in Springfield, MO (5/1) and Evansville, IN (5/2).

 

For tour dates and more visit, www.brantleygilbert.com.

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ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute To The Troops Concert Special Featuring Members from the U.S. Armed Forces

By on April 28, 2014 in In The Press

ACM PRESENTS: AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS
CONCERT SPECIAL FEATURING MEMBERS FROM THE U.S. ARMED FORCES
ON STAGE WITH COUNTRY SUPERSTARS
TO AIR TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014 at 9PM ET/PT
ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN FROM THE ARMY, MARINE CORPS, NAVY, AIR FORCE AND COAST GUARD PERFORM WITH COUNTRY ROYALTY

IN SURPRISE MOMENT, TOBY KEITH RECOGNIZED WITH “SPIRIT OF THE USO” HONOR
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MANY USO TOURS

The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions have announced additional information regarding the servicemen and women from the United States Armed Forces, who performed on stage with some of the biggest names in country music during ACM PRESENTS:  AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS, taped on Monday, April 7th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In honor of Armed Forces Day (May 17) observances, the two-hour concert event, co-hosted by LL COOL J and Chris O’Donnell, will air Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 9:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Merle Haggard, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry all performed and paid tribute to our country’s remarkable all-volunteer military force. Many of the artists were joined on stage by service members from the United States Armed Forces including Marine Capts. John Ed Auer & Matt Smith (performance with Lady Antebellum), Army Sgt. Christiana Ball (performance with Lee Brice), Navy STG3 Destiny Mills Coates (performance with Keith Urban), Marine Lt. Col. Mike Corrado (performance with Toby Keith), Army Spc. Kelly A. Gregg (performance with The Band Perry), Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Katie Spira (performance with Hunter Hayes), Marine Staff Sgt. Brandon Valentine (performance with Rascal Flatts) and Air Force Staff Sgt. Baily Zimmerman (performance with Kellie Pickler), in addition to, Air Force Master Sgt. Harry Bounds, Navy Lt. Chelsea Brunoehler, and Coast Guard ME1 Noah Reinhart (who joined the other service members on stage for a special performance with Toby Keith). Additional information on military participants is listed below.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh was in attendance and thanked ACM, talented artists and all who give of themselves and their time to support the troops and their families.

During a special moment, superstar Toby Keith was surprised onstage by USO CEO, retired Brig. Gen. John Pray, who presented him with the Spirit of the USO honor in recognition of his many USO tours and longtime support of our U.S. military.

The special also includes moments and stories of incredible bravery and integrity in addition to appearances and presentations by Marcus Luttrell (retired U.S. Navy SEAL), Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”), Craig Morgan (U. S. Army Veteran/Country Music Artist), Nancy O’Dell (“Entertainment Tonight”), and Sheryl Underwood (former Staff Sergeant in the Air Force Reserves/“The Talk” host).  Proceeds from ticket sales for ACM PRESENTS: AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS benefitted ACM Lifting Lives.

PARTICIPANTS FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES:

·         U.S. Marine Corps Capt. John Ed Auer, Performed on fiddle with Lady Antebellum
Current Position/Duty Station:  Silent Drill Platoon Commander, stationed at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C.
·         U.S. Army Sgt. Christiana Ball, Performed on vocals with Lee Brice
Current Position/Duty Station: Drill Sergeant for Initial Entry Military Police Soldiers, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
·         U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Harry Bounds, Participated in finale with Toby Keith
Current Position/Duty Station: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, stationed at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina
·         U.S. Navy Lt. Chelsea Brunoehler, Participated in finale with Toby Keith
Current Position/Duty Station: Instructor Pilot at Training Air Wing FIVE in Milton, Florida
·         U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Mike Corrado, Performed on vocals with Toby Keith
Current Position/Duty Station: Executive Officer, Wounded Warrior Regiment, stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
·         U.S. Army Spc. Kelly A. Gregg, Performed on vocals with The Band Perry
Current Position/Duty Station:  Patient Administration Specialist, stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas
·         U.S. Navy STG3 Destiny Mills-Coates, Performed on vocals with Keith Urban
Current Position/Duty Station:  a Student at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center at Naval Base Point Loma, California
·         U.S. Coast Guard ME1 Noah Reinhart, Participated in finale with Toby Keith
Current Position/Duty Station:  Maritime Enforcement Specialist, assigned at U.S. Coast Guard Island Alameda in California.
·         U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matt Smith, Performed on guitar with Lady Antebellum
Current Position/Duty Station:  Assistant Operations Officer, stationed at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C.
·         U.S. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Katie Spira, Performed on vocals with Hunter Hayes
Current Position/Duty Station: Executive Officer aboard the Cutter ADAK
·         U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brandon Valentine, Performed on vocals with Rascal Flatts
Current Position/Duty Station:  Radio Operator, stationed at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, California
·         U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Baily Zimmerman, Performed on vocals with Kellie Pickler
Current Position/Duty Station: Aircrew, Aerospace Medical Craftsman, stationed at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina

ACM PRESENTS: AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS was produced for television by dick clark productions and taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday April 7, 2014 and will air on Tuesday May 20, 2014 at 9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark and Barry Adelman are executive producers. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

About ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.  Through partnerships with artists and strong ties in the music industry, ACM Lifting Lives develops and funds music-related therapy and education programs, and serves members of the community who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. Through generous donations and the support of artists and fans, ACM Lifting Lives is able to fund everything from disaster relief and helping communities in need, to music education in schools and music camps for those with disabilities, to supporting programs that use music therapy as a means to help our veterans and wounded warriors, while providing grants to help them ease back into life. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

To learn more about the history of Armed Forces Day, visit: http://www.defense.gov/afd/history.aspx

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Nashville Film Festival Celebrates A Record Breaking 45th Year

By on April 27, 2014 in In The Press

Nashville Film FestivalNashville Film Festival (NaFF) celebrated its 45th Anniversary this week with an incredible week of film in two locations. For the first time ever, the festival presented more than 250 films from over 50 countries, further cementing its record-breaking year.

“This has truly been a spectacular year for the Nashville Film Festival presented by Nissan. It was our first year with 10 days of film at Regal Cinemas Green Hills and 9 days of events at our outdoor NaFF Cinema at Walk of Fame Park in Downtown Nashville”, shared Ted Crockett, Executive Director of the Nashville Film Festival.

With over 42,000 in attendance between both locations, the festival has exceeded last year’s total festival attendance by over 40%. The free NaFF Cinema at Walk of Fame in Downtown Nashville presented films for 9 days throughout the festival on its brand new 30′ outdoor screen. “We are already planning new and exciting ways to feature films to the public in outdoor settings in the months and years to come,” said Crockett.Nashville Film Festival

Film submissions also broke records this year, with over 3100 entries from 125 countries. NaFF Artistic Director, Brian Owens, had the thrill of working with some of the world’s leading directors and production houses, to bring over 15 World and North American Premieres, along with 17 Southeast Premieres to NaFF this year.

Of the more than 250 competition films, Owens said, “There were so many great films in our competition this year, that the juries had a difficult time picking the Grand Jury Prizes in each division.”

Major award winners included, the beautiful and moving documentary, Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me, by award winning Director, James Keach and The Ballad of Shovels and Rope by Jace Freeman and Sean Clark of Nashville-based production house, The Moving Picture Boys. The Freedom to Choose Southwest Airlines Audience Award for Best U.S. Narrative went to The Identical by first-time Director, Dustin Marcinello starring Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd and newcomer Blake Rayne. Nashville Film Festival

The NaFF Red Carpet was an active scene nearly every night of the festival with stars of film, television, and music. Throughout the festival, appearances were made by Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Seth Green, Sharon Lawrence, Beth Grant, Béla Fleck, Naomi Judd and the family of Country music legend, Glen Campbell, among other notables.

Academy Award winning Director, Daniel Junge, notable independent film director Megan Griffiths, award winning director James Keach, and provocative filmmaker Dito Montiel also made appearances in support of their films screening at NaFF.

Nashville Film FestivalIn addition to the competition films and the many special presentations, the first annual Screenwriters Competition garnered more than 1500 entrants. “Our First Annual Screenwriters Competition was such an incredible success and we look forward seeing some of these incredible artists’ works on the big screen soon,” shared Crockett.

After more than 300 different screenings over the past 10 days and record attendance, the 45th Anniversary festival marked a pivotal year of success that will continue to allow the festival to bring films to the big screen that celebrate the visions and voices of the human spirit. Plans for the 2015 Nashville Film Festival are already underway, with dates scheduled to be announced in June 2014.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com  and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), April 17 – 26, 2014, presented by Nissan North America, brings the world to Nashville in a 10-day celebration of film. NaFF celebrates the diversity of the human voice and vision by curating program segments to include Latino, Black, GLBT, and Jewish films. Founded in 1969 by Mary Jane Coleman, it is one of the oldest (45-years) film festivals in the U.S.  As an Academy Award Qualifying Event, NaFF draws filmmakers and celebrity guests and the Festival annually garners notice from the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal online, MovieMaker Magazine, IndieWire, Variety, Billboard, New York and Script Magazine.

www.nashvillefilmfestival.org

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