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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Mon., Oct. 15)

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Loretta Lynn made her first Grand Ole Opry appearance singing "Honky Tonk Girl" in 1960.

Gene Autry was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969.

Chet Atkins and Patsy Cline were elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.

Pee Wee King and Owen Bradley were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1974.

COUNTRY MUSIC TRIVIA

Q: Which artist sang "A Soft Place To Fall" in the Robert Redford film "The Horse Whisperer"?

A: Allison Moorer, who steps up to the Opry mike this Saturday.


MUSIC AND MORE


GARTH BROOKS RETURNS VIA SATELLITE

Country superstar Garth Brooks is back. And, as UPI's Crystal Caviness reports from Nashville, the popular singer/songwriter has "come out of retirement" using today's modern technology.

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Brooks has delivered the first single from what he says may be his final album to radio stations via satellite. His song, "Wrapped Up In You," was made available to stations across the nations simultaneously Tuesday morning.

Shortly after the song went "up to the bird," Brooks appeared at a Music City USA news conference. Before the song was played to stations -- to record and re-use -- Brooks presented an audio and video presentation of 20 Nashville-area first-grade students singing "God Bless America" as they waved tiny American flags.

Additionally, Brooks says he's signed a big deal with Dr. Pepper and will appear in a series of commercials for the soft drink that will begin running soon.

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)


BRENDA LEE HONORED BY IBEA

Brenda Lee received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) during their 31st annual conference in Nashville Oct. 7-10. Jo Walker Meador, former executive director of the Country Music Association, presented the award to Lee. Her other accolades include more than 100 million in record sales internationally, membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2001, and nomination into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame this year.

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Lee, known for her signature song "I'm Sorry," stated: "It's been a wonderful ride ... Thank you for giving me a stage, an audience, and the opportunity you've given me for so many years to do what I love to do most -- sing."

Lee was a recent subject of a television profile by A&E's "Biography." Her autobiography, written with Robert K. Oermann, is due out in the spring of 2002 and will be accompanied by a multi-city book tour.


TRAVIS TRITT GOES PLATINUM

Opry member Travis Tritt's current album, "Down The Road I Go," has gone platinum with more than one million units shipped, according to the Recording Industry Association of American. The album is his debut on Columbia Records.

"After taking 18 months off from touring and recording prior to releasing this album, I am ecstatic to have it go platinum," said Tritt. "Anytime you achieve this kind of milestone it's fantastic but the overwhelming response to my first Columbia Records release is really special because the time away made me appreciate these achievements more than ever before."

Top singles from the album include "Best of Intentions," "It's a Great Day to be Alive" and Travis' current hit, "Love of a Woman."

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DOLLY'S PLANS FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE

Opry member Dolly Parton has already made her plans for New Year's Eve. She'll be a part of the "Red, White and Bluegrass Concert," to be held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The concert's proceeds will provide scholarships for families of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Says Dolly: "I wanted to show my true colors, which are red, white and blue, by being a good American and a good Samaritan."

Guest artists and ticket information will be announced later.


PAM TILLIS ON PBS SPECIAL

Opry member Pam Tillis joins Gene Watson and Darryl Worley on a PBS television special titled "Darryl Worley & Friends: A Homecoming." The one-hour show will be taped on Oct. 23 at Pickwick Landing State Park in Savannah, Tenn., and will be produced by WKNO-TV. The concert begins at 6 p.m. (ET) and is free and open to the public.


Coming Soon To The Opry Stage:

Oct. 19: Marty Stuart, McBride & The Ride

Oct. 20: Allison Moorer, Darryl Worley, McBride & The Ride, Marty Stuart

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

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Oct. 27: Charley Pride, Gail Davies w/the Jordanaires, Craig Morgan, Marty Stuart

Nov. 9: Brad Paisley

Nov. 10: Trace Adkins, Clint Black

Nov. 30: Joe Diffie

Dec. 1: Joe Diffie

Dec. 8: Travis Tritt

Dec. 14: Jeff Carson

Dec. 15: Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Carson

(For Opry tickets, log on to opry.com or call 615-889-3060 or TicketMaster at 615-255-9600. Artists and schedule subject to change.)


By Opryland USA in Nashville and UPI

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