Country Music News: UPI Music City Report

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Wed., Oct. 17, 2001)

Earl Thomas Conley was born in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1941

Alan Jackson was born in Newnan, Ga. in 1958

Glen Campbell's "Gentle On My Mind" was awarded a gold album in 1968

Naomi Judd announced her retirement from The Judds in 1990

Tennessee Ernie Ford died in 1991

GRAND OLE OPRY BENEFIT FOR SEPT. 11 VICTIMS

As the Grand Ole Opry prepares to return to its most famous former home, the historic Ryman Auditorium, November 2001 to February 2002, the Opry, Opry artists and Gaylord Entertainment will pay honor to the fallen heroes and victims of the Sept. 11 tragedies with a unique Opry at the Ryman show Nov. 11, 7-9:30 p.m. The show will air on 650 WSM and online at opry.com.

Gaylord Entertainment will donate proceeds from the special Opry show to charities that benefit the victims' families. Tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices are $25, $35 and gold circle seats are $50.

A stellar line up continues to grow and currently includes Opry members Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner and Steve Wariner. The show line up will span a wide variety of country music.

"The Opry and country music are true icons of the American spirit. We felt a benefit Opry show is the perfect place and way for us to come together and support the victims of the tragedy," said Colin V. Reed, president and chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment.

MCBRIDE'S MILLIONAIRE

Opry member Martina McBride will appear as a celebrity contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, taping this week in New York City. McBride will donate her winnings to charity. An air date has yet to be determined. Look for Martina at the Country Freedom Concert on Oct. 21 in Nashville, Tenn. Martina will join Elton John, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sugar Ray and Jay-Z at the 2001 Radio Music Awards on Oct. 26 from the Aladdin in Las Vegas. Fans can catch the show on ABC at 7 p.m.

DIAMOND RIO KICKS OFF TITANS GAME

Opry members Diamond Rio were on hand at the Tennessee Titans/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday, Oct. 14, at Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville. The group were among several special guests at a special pre-game ceremony. Otis and Nancy Tolbert of Brentwood, Tenn., whose son, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Vince Tolbert, was killed in the Pentagon disaster, and Vince's wife Shari and their three children were also in attendance.

Tennessee Task Force One, an urban search and rescue team that sifted through debris at the Pentagon were introduced followed by Diamond Rio leading the crowd in singing "God Bless America." Diamond Rio sang the National Anthem as 150 Nashville police, firemen and state highway patrolmen unfurled a large USA-shaped Stars and Stripes.

COUNTRY FREEDOM CONCERT

Several Opry members are on board to participate in the Country Freedom Concert to be held on Oct. 21, at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn. The concert event benefits the Salvation Army Disaster Relief fund to aid the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Among those Opry members participating are Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Vince Gill and George Jones. Other artists appearing include George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Lonestar, Lee Ann Womack, The Charlie Daniels Band, Sara Evans and Hank Williams, Jr.

Tickets for The Country Freedom Concert are priced at $25, $50, $100, $150 and $1000.

CMT will carry the concert live beginning at 8 p.m. and has expanded its coverage to 2 1/2 hours. Toll-free phone lines and web sites have been established for viewer and listener contributions.

For more information on the concert and an updated list of artists, log on to countryfreedomconcert.org.

MUSIC CITY TRIVIA:

Q. Opry members Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Vince Gill and George Jones are a part of what concert event on Oct. 21, 2001?

A. The Country Freedom Concert.

COMING 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

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

Nov. 2: Lorrie Morgan

Nov. 3: Lorrie Morgan

Nov. 9: Brad Paisley