For Immediate Release

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR

AND HALL OF FAME MEMBER  TOM T. HALL

ANNOUNCE NEW COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY PROGRAMS

 “Road to Fame” Talent Competition and “Arts Education Fund” to Develop and Discover Music Talent from Area Famous for Producing Country Music Superstars

Frankfort, KY (January 31, 2012) – Today, Governor Steve Beshear, Country Music Highway committee members, TourSEKY members and Country Music Hall of Fame Member Tom T. Hall announced the launch of two new initiatives surrounding the legendary highway (U.S. Route 23), now referred to as the “Country Music Highway.” This stretch of road, which winds along the Eastern corridor of Kentucky, has given rise to a remarkable number of country artists including Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, Gary Stewart, Patty Loveless, Billy Ray Cyrus, Crystal Gayle, Loretta Lynn, Rebecca Lynn Howard and many more.

The announcement made at the State Capital introduced the “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” talent competition which will allow the discovery of the next generation of talented artists from the area, as well as the development of a charitable organization, the “Country Music Highway Arts Education Fund” which will support music programs in Kentucky schools and aid children in discovering a passion for music without utilizing state education funds.

“I am certain that Governor Beshear will agree with me when I say how proud we are to honor the rich musical heritage springing from the State of Kentucky,” said Jeff Crowe, President and CEO of Tour SEKY. “Our youth is teeming with musical talent and I am excited to see the impact the program will have upon them.”

The “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” competition, set to begin in mid-March, will tap Eastern Kentucky’s musical roots to find the next generation of talent. The winner of the 2012 “Road to Fame” competition will receive a scholarship to participate in career development and coaching under the direction of PCG Nashville valued at $25,000, an acoustic guitar and a plaque recognizing their achievement. The contest will be open to aspiring artists 13-35 years of age from the 15 counties that border the Country Music Highway (US Route 23). Details of the contest will be released on the “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” website. Potential contestants and interested parties should visit www.cmhroadtofame.com and register to receive announcements as they are made.

“I’m really excited about the competition because it will show that some of the best talent can be found in the hills of Eastern Kentucky,” said Country Music Hall of Fame Member Tom T. Hall about the talent residing in his home area of Kentucky.

“The Country Music Highway means so much to me. I grew up in that special part of Kentucky, as did so many of my friends who have also been fortunate enough to find careers in country music. And now the Country Music Highway folks have launched a great project they’re calling “The Road to Fame,” said Naomi Judd in an earlier statement. “Keeping music alive on stage and in schools is close to my heart. I encourage everyone to get behind this project. Please join me in supporting the “Road to Fame” and the difference it will make in the lives of our friends and neighbors.”

These initiatives announced today are already receiving support from corporate sponsors. The first to come on board are the Gibson Foundation, Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Flavorings, PCG Nashville, Vietti Chili, Fairway Outdoor Advertising, TourSEKY and Ray, Foley and Hensley Accounting.

About the Country Music Highway:
On March 1, 1994, a bill sponsored by State Representative Hubert Collins was passed and US Route 23 in Eastern Kentucky became “The Country Music Highway” to recognize the famous Country music stars that came from the region. In 2002, the Country Music Highway was also recognized as a National Scenic Byway. The 144-mile stretch of highway runs north and south along the eastern part of the state through the lush hills and valleys of Appalachia. Click for more information:

www.CountryMusicHighway.com.

About the “Road to Fame” Competition:

Auditions, qualifying rounds, semi-finals and the grand final will be held at venues along the Country Music Highway. To be eligible to enter, contestants must be between the ages of 13 and 35 and prove residency in the counties of Letcher, Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Boyd, Greenup, Harlan, Petty, Knott, Magoffin, Morgan, Elliott, Carter, and Lewis. Full contest rules, contest dates and venues will be announced, along with updates at www.CMHRoadToFame.com.

About PCG Nashville:
PCG Nashville is recognized as one of America’s leading career development organizations, working with new and emerging artist, and customizing programs to accommodate an artist’s creative and professional growth. Programs include: career guidance and mentoring, strategic planning, styling, branding and marketing, entertainment relations and ethics, media training, live performance coaching, vocal evaluation and training, instrument lessons, songwriting and creative direction, studio preparation and more. Click for more information: http://pcgnashville.com/.

About Murray State Digital Media Services:

Digital Media Services is a multimedia production facility and in-house advertising agency at Murray State University.  We utilize a full-time professional staff and some of the best electronic media students in the region through a partnership with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Click for more information: http://www.murraystate.edu/ems/index.html.

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Raw video of the press conference is available upon request.

Media Contacts:

Callan Donoho

Webster & Associates PR

Kirtassoc2@websterpr.com

Office: 615 777 6995 ext. 237

Cell: 615 516 7095

Shelly Mullins

Webster & Associates PR

shelly@websterpr.com

Office: 615 777 6995 ext. 235

His bio and background info is on his website: bobbullock.net. He will be doing our ‘Intro to Studio’ & ‘Studio 101’ sessions. “Bob Bullock – New West Productions, Inc. – The Dining Room Studio” Born in Oakland, California, producer/engineer Bob Bullock began his lifelong career in the music business while still a senior in high school. Living in the Los Angeles area, he made his way up the ranks as a studio engineer, training under such greats as Humberto Gatica, Reggie Dozier, Barney Perkins, Roy Haley and Roger Nichols. He quickly became a top engineer himself and worked with a variety of acts, including The Tubes, Art Garfunkel, Seals and Crofts, Chic Corea and REO Speedwagon. In 1981, while working at Lionshare Recording Studio for Kenny Rogers he was approached by legendary producer Jimmy Bowen to engineer for Warner Bros. Records in Nashville. Bullock commuted from L.A. to Nashville until 1984, when he and his family made a permanent move. Bullock’s engineering credits while living in Nashville include over fifty gold and platinum albums, including Shania Twain, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless, Billy Dean, John Anderson, Hank Williams Jr., Jimmy Buffet and Suzy Boggus.

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PCG Nashville Artist & Staff support rally for Christmas 4 Kids. Jeremy Parsons, signed autographs at the bus tour on Monday evening. Tuesdsay morning, Momma P celebrated her 20th year as a chaperone and a volunteer support.This year Momma P was featured with her child Christian on WSMV, Channel 4 News Nashville, December 13th. Christmas 4 Kids (a division of Christmas For Kids, Inc.) is a 501(c)-3 Non-Profit Organization that was created in 1982, originally called Christmas Caravan. In 1992, we incorporated and changed our name to Christmas For Kids, Inc. For over twenty years, Christmas 4 Kids has given the joy of Christmas to thousands of Middle Tennessee children that might not otherwise experience it. Each December, local businesses, volunteers, celebrities, recording artists, and their bus drivers set aside two days from their busy schedules for these special children. There are 400 children that are picked up and brought to a Christmas Party held in their honor. Santa and Mrs. Claus host the party, which provides lunch (usually donated by Garth Brooks), live music, dancing and a lot of fun!! After the party, the children get back on the buses for a parade, led by the Nashville Trolley carrying five miles and features more than 85 Tour Buses, ending at the Super Walmart in Hendersonville. Each child is met by his or her own chaperone, and they’re given $150.00 to buy anything they want. Plus, Christmas 4 Kids gives every child a brand new winter coat. Charlie Daniels sums it up by saying, “You think about making a kid smile when there is very little to smile about in their life. That’s what Christmas 4 Kids is all about.”

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The implementing of the Preshias Harris PCG Nashville Scholarship with the “GA & TN Country & Gospel Music Association.

PCG President Bernard Porter announced that PCG Nashville has created a scholarship in the name our beloved Preshias Harris; called the PCG Nashville Preshias Harris Music Scholarship. The Georgia and Tennessee Association came together to hold their annual awards banquet on December 3rd in Dalton GA. Momma P was all smiles holding the 20 pound crystal award. This financial gift will be donated each year to a deserving young talent as part of the TN & GA Country and Gospel Music Association Awards ceremony.

“LET US IN” NASHVILLE - A TRIBUTE TO LINDA McCARTNEY