ALAN JACKSON TOPS WINNERS, HANK JR. TOPS PERFORMERS IN PRESENTATION OF 8TH ANNUAL CCMA AWARDS
LEE GREENWOOD: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, BELLS & WHISTLES IN NYC!
JOHN BERRY RELEASES NEW CHRISTMAS CD
HANK JR. TO KICK-OFF MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, DECEMBER 16TH!
CHARLIE DANIELS: AN EARLY CHRISTMAS FOR FANS & KIDS
ALAN JACKSON TOPS WINNERS, HANK JR. TOPS PERFORMERS IN PRESENTATION OF 8TH ANNUAL CCMA AWARDS
(Nashville) -- In a winning field lead by country superstar, Alan Jackson, the presentation of the best of show in both Christian country and mainstream catagories, took place as the "8th Annual Christian Country Music Awards," (CCMA) telecast (5th) from the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. With this year's production the CCMA Awards proved without a doubt to be a growing contender in the televised award show field.
Hosted by country great, Collin Raye, and "700 Club," co-hostess, Lisa Ryan, the two hour broadcast produced winners in seventeen categories - topped by Alan Jackson's dual wins for Song Of The Year, and Video Of The Year, with his inspirational musical gift to America - "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning."
The full house at the Ryman for the broadcast saw a show highlighted by a moving mid-show performance by Hank Williams Jr. Williams performed his self-written "Cross On The Highway" - dedicated to his close friends, football greats Derrick Thomas and Mike Tellis - who were killed in a tragic traffic accident. The performance brought the house of both Nashville music industry and fans to its collective feet in a standing ovation. Joining Williams onstage for a series of well presented performances were artists including Collin Raye, Tommy Shane Steiner, Stella Parton and Dottie Rambo, as well as many of the Christian country music names who ultimately walked away with awards.
The 8th Annual CCMA Awards was broadcast live via an alliance of satellites to an estimated potential viewership of more than 280 million. This year's awards had the potential to be the most widely viewed to date with the addition of several new satellite affiliates this year, noted CCMA President, Gene Higgins, in a pre-telecast news release.
On the mainstream side, Mainstream Artist of The Year Stella Parton expressed gratitude at the CCMA major recognition for her solo career in the music world she shares with her sister, Dolly. Gospel music, singer/songwriter, Dottie Rambo was surprised with the coveted Living Legend Award for her years an invaluable creative force in gospel/inspirational music. Pioneer Award was given to veteran Christian music promoter Sonny Simmons.
The nationally televised Awards Show capped five days of music and conferencing, as well as a complete convention agenda presented to its membership by The Christian Country Music Association.
Complete list of winners of the 2002 CCMA AWARDS winners follows.
WINNERS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL CCMA AWARDS 2002:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: DENNIS AGAJANIAN
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: CLIFTON JANSKY
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: GAYLA EARLENE
VOCAL DUO: YOUNG HARMONY
VOCAL GROUP: THE FOX BROTHERS
VOCAL TRIO: JEFF TREESE BAND
SONG OF THE YEAR: "WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING?" - ALAN JACKSON.
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: DEL WAY
MAINSTREAM ARTIST: STELLA PARTON
NEW ARTIST: DEL WAY
MUSICIAN: DENNIS AGAJANIAN
COMEDY ACT: ROY FOX
RADIO PERSONALITY: FRED BAUCHER
RADIO STATION: WTVY-RADIO - DOTHAN, ALABAMA
VIDEO OF THE YEAR: "WHERE WERE YOU" - ALAN JACKSON
PIONEER AWARD: SONNY SIMMONS
LIVING LEGEND: DOTTIE RAMBO
Resource CCMA online: www.ccma.cc
JOHN BERRY RELEASES NEW CHRISTMAS CD
Award winning country music artist, John Berry, has released a new Christmas CD! Christmas Live, his follow-up to O Holy Night, contains all live Christmas songs, taped during various shows.
John already has multiple gold and platinum
albums, and nominations from the Country Music Association (CMA)
and the Grammys. He gained his first #1 single
in April 1994, with his signature song, Your Love Amazes Me. He
followed with more Top 10 releases, such as You and Only You,
Kiss Me In the Car, and
Standing on the Edge of Goodbye. John is currently touring the
US with his spectacular Christmas show. Christmas Live can be
ordered from his website.
HANK JR. TO KICK-OFF MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, DECEMBER 16TH!
(Nashville) HANK JR. will lead the brigade of "patriots" of the South on December 16th when the Tennessee Titans go head to head with the New England Patriot's in Nashville.
HANK, whose familiar voice weekly intones the fall national anthem known to every American Monday night football widow from coast to coast- "Are you ready for some football!?" will this time be on hand to take to the field and be ready for some football himself.
The legendary great will be singing the official national anthem - this time the official one - and sit in on the play by play commentary with John Madden and Al Michaels. Later, HANK is expected to gather a few of the rowdy friends in a private suite for some in person "good 'ol boys" support of Monday Night Football, Southern style. Dare we say, "Go Titans!" Bocephus?
You can also catch Hank Jr. on CMT in the coming weeks when he will appear in the following shows:
CMT CROSSROADS w/ KID ROCK, airing on Dec 5th at 8:00 PM and Dec 6th at 12:00 AM (ET/PT)
INSIDE FAME will air on Dec 5th at 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
BEST OF AUSTIN CITY LIMITS w/ WAYLON JENNINGS, airs on Dec 5th at 10:00 PM (ET/PT)
CMT GOT ME IN WITH THE BAND airs Dec 29th at 5:30 PM (ET/PT)
LEE GREENWOOD: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, BELLS & WHISTLES IN NYC!
(Nashville) -- On December 2nd, Curb artist LEE GREENWOOD will join New York City Mayor Bloomberg in saying ìlet there be lightî as they flip the switch for the 79th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting in the historic Wall Street financial district.
Lee will be hanging around Wall Street during the day as he'll ring the closing bell on the day's business at the New York Stock Exchange.
Upcoming also is a media byte or two in the Big Apple. Lee will guest on the #1 rated cable morning show Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends," as well as with political media gurus Hannity & Colmes. Both appearances are set for December 4th at Fox Studios in New York.
In addition to Christmas shopping, high on Lee's priority list for New York is the promotion of his debut project on Curb, "Stronger Than Time" due in stores March 4, 2003.
CHARLIE DANIELS: AN EARLY CHRISTMAS FOR FANS & KIDS
(Nashville) -- Charlie Daniels will play Santa early this year. Fans of the legendary Southern rocker will have an opportunity to meet 'n greet with him in Nashville at the Charlie Daniels Museum on 2nd Avenue on Sunday, November 24th. Santa recommends getting Christmas music shopping done early as Charlie will be taking special time autographing his new Blue Hat/Audium albums, "Redneck Fiddlin' Man," and "A Merry Christmas To All." The in store will begin at 4:00 P.M. Following the Museum visit, Charlie will gather his pack and his CDB elves to head for the Ryman where he'll headline this year's annual "Christmas For Kids" concert.
Along with Charlie, Brad Paisley, Sawyer Brown, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Doug Stone are among the famous faces on this year's concert. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at TicketMaster outlets or Ryman Auditorium.
"Christmas For Kids" can be resourced online at www.christmas4kids.org
HEY CHARLIE, IS THAT YOUR VOICE IN "THEM THERE HILLS?"
(Nashville) -- Charlie Daniels fans everywhere are tuning into tomorrow night's ìKing Of The Hillî on FOX TV to hear the country icon intone a few words.
Charlie will be putting down fiddle and bow long enough to be featured putting words in Hank Hill's world of cartoon craziness on the Sunday, December 1st episode of the hysterical Hill clan.
Also in the mix will be Vince Gill and Yakov Smirnoff, which should prove a pretty eclectic mix of fun on FOX.
Way to go, Charlie - maybe Hank can sit in with CDB on the next tour
THE BELLAMY BROTHERS: 'THE LOVE STILL FLOWS' AT 36TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS AS THE BELLAMYS WIN TOP INTERNATIONAL HONORS
(Nashville) -- The presentation on CBS-TV of the 36th Annual CMA Awards proved that 'like fine vintage wine.' The Bellamy Brothers bring their finest to the table when the country music family gathers for its biggest banquet.
Highlight of last night's award ceremony was the pre-telecast presentation of the Country Music Association's coveted 2002 International Award to THE BELLAMY BROTHERS. The award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement and commitment to the international promotion of country music.
Presentation to Howard and David Bellamy was indeed a fitting tribute to the duo. Their commitment to international audiences "on a worldwide scale dates back to their first international hit, "Let Your Love Flow,î in 1976 which stayed at the top of European charts at the #1 on the continent for multiple weeks. "For two years after "Let Your Love Flow," we were in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland more than we were in the States," Howard noted in a recent interview. It was a career agenda that has become a Bellamy trademark.
Their commitment to international fans has remained loyal over the last twenty-five years through numerous tours, USO appearances, major festivals and endless miles spent taking country music to more than forty international nations around the globeómany for whom The Bellamys were the first country music ever to come to that nation. With multi-platinum sales throughout Europe, The Bellamys were last year inducted into Germany's Country Music Hall Of Fame in national ceremonies.
On a telecast last night that found Duo Of The Year winners Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunnócompetitors with The Bellamy's this year in the category -- paying on camera tribute to Howard and David Bellamy for their 15th nomination as top duo in country music - even Brooks & Dunn's win turned the spotlight back on the duo that has set the pace for all to follow- The Bellamy Brothers.
If Howard and David approached their 15th nomination as top duo rather light heartedly this year, their industry supporters didn't. In connection with Curb Records and the brother's press team an aggressive "Rock The Vote" campaign was launched - becoming a major conversation starter along the corridors of Music Row.
Bellamy campaign posters appeared everywhere -as did a swell of support. "Does anyone have Susan Lucci's number?" quipped David as he last night acknowledged the multiple nominations it's taking The Bellamys in their Duo Of The Yearîwin.
Not to fear. While the waiting game extends until 2003 for The Bellamys on the "duo" homefront, the CMA International committee and fans around the world last night on the annual CMA Awards just made The Bellamys an even harder act to follow.
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