Country Music News: The Music City Report

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Mon., Oct. 8)

Hank Snow and Hubert Long were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.

Anne Murray became the first female to win the CMA Album of the Year award in 1984.

Alabama was named CMA Entertainer of the Year for the third year in a row, also in 1984.

MUSIC AND MORE

ALAN JACKSON HELPS HOMETOWN

Opry member Alan Jackson is helping out his hometown of Newnan, Ga. Jackson will perform a benefit concert to build "Angel's House," the Newnan-Coweta Children's Shelter, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. (ET) at the Newnan High School.

In a statement, Jackson and his wife, Denise, said: "We have been blessed with three beautiful daughters, who we truly believe are a gift. We realize that each of the children who come to this facility are special, too -- even though they may not have been treated as such. They are special because they are all children of God who deserve to be embraced, nurtured and loved."

Tickets are available through TicketMaster.

(Tax-deductible donations may be made out to "Angel's House" and send to: Angel's House, P.O. Box 657, Newnan, Ga. 30264.)

COLUMBIA RECORDS BENEFIT PROJECT

"God Bless America" -- a compilation CD on Columbia Records -- will be released Oct. 16. The collection of songs will benefit the Twin Towers Fund for the families of police, firefighters, EMS and other city employees affected by the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Artists contributing their time and talent to the project include Billy Gilman, Bob Dylan, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, John Mellencamp, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Estefan and others.

'LOST' CARL PERKINS SONG TO BE RELEASED

During his last-ever recording session, rock-a-billy pioneer Carl Perkins recorded a song called "The Fireman." It was never released. Now the producer of that 1998 recording session, Bob Johnston, tells country.com that the song will finally be made available on CD and on a Web site. Proceeds from the sale of "The Fireman" -- which, by the way, is a spoken word recitation by Perkins -- will go to benefit New York City firemen and their survivors.

The song will also be released in January as part of a compilation to be called "Celebration." That CD will also feature material by Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and others.

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

Coming Soon To The Opry Stage:

Oct. 12: Grand Ole Opry 76th Birthday -- Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt

Oct. 13: Grand Ole Opry 76th Birthday -- Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Stanley, George Jones (6:30 only)

Oct. 19: Marty Stuart

Oct. 20: Allison Moorer, Darryl Worley

Oct. 26: Confederate Railroad (debut), Charley Pride, Gail Davies w/the Jordanaires, Pam Tillis

Oct. 27: Charley Pride, Gail Davies w/the Jordanaires

Nov. 10: Trace Adkins, Clint Black

Nov. 30: Joe Diffie

Dec. 1: Joe Diffie, Travis Tritt

Dec. 14: Jeff Carson