One in three women and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. During the 2013 CMA Music Festival, a star-studded roster of Country Music’s hottest performers and personalities will join forces to help strike out the disease. Stars including Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Florida Georgia Line, Craig Campbell, Greg Bates, Chuck Wicks and Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton will join cancer survivors to participate in City of Hope’s 23^rd annual Celebrity Softball Challenge presented by Staples. Emceed by Storme Warren, host of GAC’s “Headline Country,” the event will pit longtime rival teams Grand Ole Opry and “After MidNite with Blair Garner” against each other on Saturday, June 8,at 9 a.m. at Greer Stadium. Tickets are now available at www.ticketmaster.com.

“It’s always good to go out there and get a big win for Country Music in the fight against cancer,” said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager, Grand Ole Opry. “We’re thankful to City of Hope for its incredible work in cancer research, and know we will live up to the challenge this year. Hey, Team Opry: Spring training starts 10 minutes before game time. Don’t forget the needed gear – uniforms, softballs and Sharpies!”

“We’re so proud to be a part of this special event each year as we help support the amazing work City of Hope is doing to help those with cancer,” said “After MidNite” host Blair Garner. “We encourage Country Music fans to come out to the ballpark and watch their favorite stars as we battle it out for this great cause!” 

Presented by Staples, this year’s game marks the 23^rd year that Nashville’s power hitters have gone to bat for City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The Celebrity Softball Challenge has raised more than $2 million for City of Hope, enabling scientists to advance research and improve treatments for patients and families everywhere.

Performers Brett Eldredge, Maggie Rose, David Nail, Chase Rice, LoCash Cowboys, Phil Vassar, Krystal Keith and Two Foot Fred will also take to the field for the highly anticipated game. Rounding out the event are City of Hope survivors Hannah Komai, 23, and John Cloer, 12, both of whom will be cheering for their favorite stars.

“I am so excited for this year’s Celebrity Softball Challenge at Nashville; my boyfriend and I are huge Country Music fans!” said Komai, a bone cancer survivor. “It is an honor that City of Hope wants me to share my story at the event after they gave so much to me and my family. After all, they did save my life.”

"Staples is proud to return as the presenting sponsor of the Celebrity Softball Challenge," said Ron Sargent, Staples chairman and chief executive officer. "We are committed to supporting City of Hope as it continues to make a difference in the lives of patients and works to find a cure for cancer."

In addition to Staples, this year’s sponsors include PEOPLE Country as presenting media sponsor, The Walking Company as official apparel sponsor, plus Frigidaire, Humana, The City Paper, Dudley Spalding and Louisville Slugger. 

“The Nashville community has been a longtime supporter of our mission to rapidly transform innovative research into lifesaving treatments, changing the game for millions of patients and families worldwide,” said Michael A. Friedman, M.D., chief executive officer of City of Hope. “We are grateful to Staples, CMA, celebrity players and fans for their continued generosity that will enable us to discover tomorrow’s cures for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.”

For more information about the 23^rd annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge presented by Staples, visit www.cityofhope.org/softball. To purchase tickets to the most fun-filled game in town, visit its Ticketmaster page. All ticket sales benefit City of Hope.

Beginning today, fans enjoying backstage tours of the Grand Ole Opry House can get a little closer to NASHVILLE, the hit drama just renewed for a second season on ABC.

Charles (Chip) Esten, who plays Deacon Claybourne on the series, hosts a new video as part of the exhibit in Studio A of the Opry House. The exhibit also features show memorabilia including a sequined dress worn by Juliette Barnes (portrayed by actress Hayden Panettiere) for her Opry debut in the first episode of the series; an ensemble worn by Rayna Jaymes (portrayed by actress Connie Britton); Barnes’ Gretsch White Falcon guitar; and more, including road cases, microphones, backstage passes, and laminates created for the “Red Lips White Lies Tour” featuring co-headliners Barnes and Jaymes.

The Grand Ole Opry House was featured prominently in the series premiere of NASHVILLE, and is set to appear on screen again this Wednesday, when Scarlett O’Conner (actress Clare Bowen) makes her Opry debut. Opry House Studio A has been seen in the series’ first season as both a rehearsal hall used by Jaymes and the site of a political fundraiser.

Grand Ole Opry House Backstage Pass Tours are available seven days a week through October (based upon Opry House availability) and after most Opry performances. 

CLICK HERE for more about the tours. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, and Keith Urban, as well as Lennon and Maisy Stella from ABC’s Nashville will hit the stage Tues., June 4, as the Grand Ole Opry® kicks off its CMA Music Fest Week with two star-packed shows.

The Opry fun is set to kick off earlier in the afternoon with an Opry Plaza Party presented by Humana® featuring a performance by hit-maker Lee Brice, whose new single is the highly suitable “Parking Lot Party.” HARD 2 LOVE, Brice’s current album, has yielded three No. 1 singles to date: “A Woman Like You,” “Hard To Love,” and “I Drive Your Truck.” Newcomer Tyler Farr is set to open for Brice on the Plaza.

Other Opry performances during the week include Fri., June 7, when Opry member Carrie Underwood takes the stage to celebrate her 5th anniversary as an Opry member. Country Music Hall of Famers Mel Tillis and Charley Pride plus many others will also be on the June 7 line-up. Tickets and information are available at 800-SEE-OPRY and opry.com.

New App Includes Optimized Audio Streaming, Videos, Show Schedules

The show that made country music famous is celebrating the launch of a new iPad app with the premiere of Opry By The Numbers, an interactive Sudoku-themed game available today at opry.com and optimized for the iPad as well as desktops and other devices.

Opry By The Numbers challenges players to solve Sudoku-like puzzles to reveal Opry artists’ photos. Along the way, players learn fun Opry number-related facts and can enter to win number-related prizes, including a trip to Nashville, Tennessee featuring VIP Opry seating, a stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, round-trip airfare on Southwest Airlines, and more. Opry By The Numbers is presented by My Well-Being Powered by Humana

The new iPad app offers optimized audio streaming of all Grand Ole Opry performances; Opry performance videos; Performance calendars; content-rich blogs including country music news, infographics, and artist interviews; and audio streaming of the Opry’s flagship radio station, 650 AM-WSM.

Among the dozens of number facts shared when playing Opry By The Numbers:

8 - Pam Tillis’age when she made her Opry debut

50 - Number of years of marriage celebrated at the Grand Ole Opry House by President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush

4’11” and 6’6” -  Height of Opry members Little Jimmy Dickens and Trace Adkins, respectively

600 (50 dozen) - Number of roses Minnie Pearl received from Dwight Yoakam on her 50th Anniversary with the Opry

Click here to play Opry By The Numbers.

The Opry took home a PR News’ Social Media Icon Awards presented last month in New York City. The Opry’s recognition came for its work on Twitter celebrating the 50^th Opry anniversary of the legendary Loretta Lynn.

Show tickets are available now. Additionally, special ticket packages including “fan zone” tickets to the performance as well as an exclusive Carrie 5-year anniversary T-shirt will be available beginning Mon., May 6 while supplies last. Ticket and package information is available at 800-SEE-OPRY and opry.com.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

“Throughout the past five years, Carrie Underwood has become both a certified country music superstar and a beloved member of the Opry family,” said Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry vice president and general manager. “It’s been exciting to see Carrie experience career success after success, all the while returning often to the Opry stage to thrill audiences here.”

Underwood was inducted as an Opry member by fellow member Garth Brooks before a sold-out audience in May 2008. 

Since winning American Idol and releasing her debut album in 2005, Underwood has sold over 15 million albums and placed 17 No. 1 singles on the charts.  Her recent album, Blown Away, made history by debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart, making Underwood only the second country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at No. 1.  The now platinum-selling Blown Away album also debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, making Underwood only the second country artist in history to have three consecutive albums debut at No. 1.  She is a six-time Grammy_® winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, and a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner. 

Underwood is currently headlining and selling out arenas across North America on her “Blown Away Tour.”  The tour, which launched last June, has played in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia.

 
MUSIC FROM KID ROCK TO BRAD PAISLEY TO ALAN JACKSON SET TO TAKE THE STAGE IN HONOR OF
GEORGE JONES

George Jones’ funeral will take place on Thursday, May 2nd at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 am (Central) and will be open to the public.  Doors will open at 9 am.
 
In addition, national television networks CMT, GAC, RFD, and FamilyNet, as well as local Nashville stations WKRN 2, WSMV 4, WTVF 5, WZTV 17 will broadcast the funeral service “LIVE”, with radio partners WSM 650AM and SiriusXM Willie's Roadhouse (Ch. 56) broadcasting the service.  Fans around the world can listen online at wsmonline.com or watch online at opry.com.
 
"The caliber of speakers and performers is a testament to what George Jones meant to everyone in the world," says publicist Kirt Webster. "Nancy is overwhelmed by the love and support of not only George's fans, but also the music community, public figures and friends."

The service will include music from Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill w/ Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Kid Rock, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Wynonna.  Former First Lady Laura Bush, Kenny Chesney, Grand Ole Opry VP&GM Pete Fisher, Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Barbara Mandrell, and CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer will all make special remarks.

Fans not able to attend can leave a special message about George Jones at: http://tinyurl.com/GJtribute

Jenelle Scott (ACM), Dan Rogers (Grand Ole Opry), Jenny Driessen (ACM), and Lauren Brauchli (ACM) at the PR News Social Media Icon Awards held in New York on April 17, 2013.

The Grand Ole Opry and the Academy of Country Music represented country music well in the Big Apple yesterday, winning Social Media Icon Awards presented by PR News, in the “Twitter: Best Use of Hashtags” and “Twitter: PR Campaign” categories, respectively, in recognition of separate 2012 marketing campaigns. 

The Social Media Icon Awards, held in New York, honor the most outstanding social media campaigns in the communications and public relations arena that took chances, made incredible strides, and understand the power of social media in public relations. Winners of the Social Media Icon Awards set new standards of digital excellence and point the way for other organizations to follow. 

"It's an honor for the Opry to be recognized for this achievement in social media," said Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry vice president and general manager. "Just as with the Opry itself, we have country music fans and great country artists to thank for our successes in social media.  We're particularly thrilled that our award comes in recognition of the country music community sharing its love for one of the Opry's greatest treasures, Loretta Lynn.”

“We have a gifted team here at the Academy, and I’m proud that their collective creative vision and spot-on execution is being recognized,” said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “A lot of folks are under the impression that country music fans don’t necessarily embrace technology, but we’ve found that if you have an authentic daily dialogue with them, the response can be remarkable.” 

The Opry went up against campaigns from Guthy-Renker, Neiman Labs and SAP.   The Academy faced off with other finalists including Cathay Pacific Airways, Dixon Schwabl, Littelfuse, National Safe Boating Council, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, and Weber Shandwick + MilkPEP.  For more information on PR News Social Media Icon Awards, visit them www.prnewsonline.com. 

Follow the Grand Ole Opry @Opry and Academy of Country Music @ACMawards on Twitter.

Sir Cliff Richard, one of the top-selling artists in UK history, is set to make his Grand Ole Opry debut this Sat., April 20. Richard is the only act in the United Kingdom’s history to log a No. 1 UK single in five consecutive decades-- the 1950’s through the 1990’s.  With 123 single hits and sales of over 250 million worldwide, Richard has a place in the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music.

Among other artists on this weekend’s shows are Diamond Rio (Friday and Saturday; celebrating 15 years of Opry membership on Friday), Charley Pride (Friday and Saturday; celebrating 20 years of Opry membership on Saturday), Billy Ray Cyrus, Vince Gill, and Darius Rucker, among others.

Newcomer Maggie Rose is scheduled to sign copies of her new album Cut To Impress in The Opry Shop after Friday’s show. Cyrus is scheduled to sign copies of his new book Hillbilly Heart in The Opry Shop 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Vouchers are required for the Cyrus signing. For more information, visit opry.com.

Meanwhile, Opry Country Classics continues at the historic Ryman Auditorium through May 23. Among upcoming Opry Country Classics Spotlight Artists: Charlie Daniels Band (April 18), Mel Tillis (April 25), Terri Clark (May 2), Lorrie Morgan (May 9), Oak Ridge Boys (May 23).

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS