courtesy of Webster Public Relations
TRACY BYRD FLIES HIGH WITH "THE TRUTH ABOUT MEN" DEBUTING TOP 5
(7/12/03 Nashville) -- Propelled by the summer heat of his current hit single of the same name, Tracy Byrd's new CD, "The Truth About Men," entered Billboard's Top Country Albums sales chart (print issue of 7/19) at number 5.
Tracy's impressive soar to the top reaches of the charts puts him in some good recent company. Already this summer George Strait, Jo Dee Messina and Willie Nelson have all debuted at or near the top of the charts on their first showings.
"The Truth About Men" has been striking a chord with men-and-women since it's release several months ago. It anchors the new Byrd CD which is filled with a cross section of heartfelt ballads and revved up twangers.
Noted the affable Texan in a recent interview: "By the middle of my performance of the songs, the men are nodding and saying, 'Yeah' someone finally had the guts to say what we're really thinkin'! The women are jabbing their significant guy and saying, 'that's exactly the way you are- with that look! Everyone is identifying and at the end of the day, it's been a lot of fun and put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces!
The New York Post caught the spirit of good fun, calling " 'The Truth About Men,' a twanger, ready to power a party!" Fans purchasing the CD will get an extra dose of fun with a live, bonus track of Tracy's recent chart topping single, "Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo" which adds an additional punch to the new Byrd package.
HANK JR. TO TOUCHDOWN ON "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE" JULY 16TH
(7/13/03 Nashville) --- Plan to stay up late next Wednesday night (July 16th) and have your plasma tuned to ABC.
HANK WILLIAMS JR. will touchdown nationally in L.A. on the home field of ABC-TV the network for whom the country icon is returning again this Fall as the official voice of Monday Night Football.
The usually media shy, always mystical always mysterious Hank is taking time out of his personal time in L.A. to stage a visit to the newest rage in late night viewing ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Show." Surprisingly, he even agreed to take the seat of honor-- the visiting icon musician's seat among some of the West Coastís finest arrayed in the late nighter's studio band.
Hank, his guitar, and his music will sit in as the spotlight falls on him throughout the hour. As a bonus, for a special capper Hank is prepared to offer America a sneak "teaser" preview of his newest single as a closer.
Insider industry buzz is running high on the single, "I'm One Of You," to be released on Asylum/Curb. As a testimony to its hit power, the single, which isn't scheduled to be added to radio until August 4th, is already getting advance adds at major stations across the nation.
Hank himself is so high on the new music that he's making plans to meet with radio, media, and undertake one of his most ambitious tour schedules in several seasons. He'll be in New York next month for the August 26-27th filming of a new opener for ABC-TV's 2003 season of Monday Night Football.
But true to the home team, the network's "star player" Hank Williams Jr. will be in all his legendary glory on ABC-TV next Wednesday night. The "Jimmy Kimmel Show," airs at 12:05 A.M. Eastern.
ABC MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TO KICK-OFF NEW SEASON WITH ìNEW HANK!
(7/13/03 Nashville) -- Get ready football widows! HANK WILLIAMS JR. is making plans to head to the Big Apple for the filming of the new opening for the 2003 NFL season's power house play "Monday Night Football" for ABC-TV.
As most people on the planet know, it's the country iconís famous celebrity voice that weekly intones what has literally become the national anthem of Fall in the U.S. "Are You Ready For Some Football!"
Hank himself will suit up and head to New York for the August 26-27th filming of the new opener- content of which is a well guarded secret. Filming will take place in the same studio where "Sopranos" is filmed. "Hopefully as close as weíll get to illegal gambling this season," Hank quipped from his home in Tennessee.
Prior to hitting the bright lights, Hank will stop off in Dallas, where he's making an infrequent promotional stop- this one at the regional Country Radio Seminar- where the industry buzz about his appearance is off the meter. There's a method to the madness.
Hank's highly anticipated new single release on Asylum/Curb, "I'm One Of You," will be adding at radio on August 4th. Word on the single: "Are You Ready For A Monster Hit?" Hank himself is so high on the song, heís re-energized to meet with radio, media, and even undertake a more ambitious than usual series of upcoming concert dates.
Those in need of a more immediate Hank Williams Jr. fix can tune in to CMT for "Inside Fame," Wednesday, July 16th at 10:00 P.M. Eastern.
WAYNE NEWTON NAMED RECEIPIENT OF ieba's HUMANITARIAN AWARD
(7/13/03 Nashville) - Wayne Newton, known for his highly visible contribution of time, energy and talent to telethons and fund raisers for various causes, will receive the ieba Humanitarian Award during the annual conference taking place on October 5-8, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Wayne supports many charitable and philanthropic organizations; including Opportunity Village, a Las Vegas-based, not-for-profit agency that serves people with intellectual disabilities to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their families. Opportunity Village operates two campuses, two work centers and four Thrift Stores in Las Vegas and Henderson. It also operates a vehicle donation program, trains and places hundreds of disabled adults in jobs throughout Southern Nevada and hosts some of the most popular special events in all of Las Vegas, including the annual Magical Forest.
One of Wayne's biggest honors was announced in October 2001 when Bob Hope passed the torch naming him the "CEO of the USO Celebrity Circle."
Wayne now leads USO tours overseas to perform for our men and women in the Armed Forces. Newton says, "It is without a doubt, the highlight of my career." Last year alone he took 4 USO tours overseas, including being the first performer to entertain our troops in Afghanistan, in December 2001.
Wayne's extraordinary life is the outgrowth of one thing: his willingness and ability to give his all whether performing or not. Hand him a microphone, however, and magic happens. He is the entertainer's entertainer. Wayne Newton is a born showman who combines a host of God-given talents with an exceptional and disciplined work ethic and boundless stamina.
In his 1989 autobiography, "Once Before I Go," Wayne talked about what he was striving to accomplish. He wanted to be, he said, "a man who dares to dream and pursue it, using my head for myself and my heart for others. To leave the world a better place than I found it. I guess that's what I hope to do."
LEE GREENWOOD TO HELP LAUNCH THE NEWEST STAR OF THE USA FLEET - USS RONALD REAGAN
(7/13/03 Nashville) Lee Greenwood, whose "God Bless The USA" over the 4th of July weekend out-stepped "God Bless America" as the nation's favorite patriotic song on both RadioDisney and cbs.com, is this week being accorded yet another very unique honor.
Saturday, July 12th, the Curb recording artist was on hand as a guest of honor of Nancy Reagan at the Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia for the commissioning ceremony of the Navy's newest nuclear powered aircraft carrier the "USS Ronald Reagan." Greenwood will also perform with the U.S. Navy Fleet Orchestra at a concert Gala being staged to celebrate the commissioning.
As a free 90 minute public service program, the commissioning ceremony will be broadcast live via satellite, live to onsite media, and live via streaming video to the worldwide web through the Naval Media Center.
The USS Ronald Reagan will become the 9th Nimitz-class carrier in the nation's fleet. The ship will also become the home of more than 5,500 sailors, and will support approximately 80 aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet strike fighters.
The ship was christened on March 4, 2001, by former first lady Nancy Reagan, with President Bush serving as the keynote speaker. The USS Reagan will be home-ported in San Diego.
Greenwood, who performed in the Reagan White House, termed his involvement in the event "a major highpoint for me. I'm a great admirer of President and Mrs. Reagan, so to be included in commissioning the carrier that bears his name means a great deal to me."
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