Due to the intensifying threat of Hurricane Rita to Houston and surrounding areas, the co-chairs of the One Country Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert, Louis Messina, Carolyn Farb and Paul Somerville, have regretfully been forced to make the decision to postpone the event until further notice.
Current ticket holders may hold on to their tickets for the rescheduled show.
George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Martina McBride, and ZZ Top will perform at the One Country hurricane relief concert All proceeds benef victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Cross Canadian Ragweed, Miranda Lambert, and Blaine Larsen have been added to the list of performers who have committed their support to the daylong benefit concert.
Staged and produced by Houston-based concert promoter, Louis Messina, the multi-hour event promises to be a superstar assembly of country music talent, with other talent expected to join the bill in the coming weeks.
“I watched my birthplace float away,” said Louis Messina, a New Orleans native and president of the concert promotions firm The Messina Group/AEG in a statement. “I knew I needed to help, and this is the way I could reach the most people. “The magnitude of this concert reflects the enormous willpower of the country music industry to rebuild and bring the Gulf coast back to life. Our people live to perform and give back to the fans,” said Brian Philips, executive vice president and general manager, CMT. “We’re fortunate to be able to stage this huge event in the region where the need is the greatest.”
On one day, superstars George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Martina McBride, and ZZ Top will perform in Houston to raise money for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts ñ and they are bringing their friends with them!
From his first Number One song, 1982ís ìFool Hearted Memoryî, through his 51st, ìI Hate Everythingî the words ìGeorge Straitî and ìcountry hitî have been synonymous. In fact, he has scored more Number One songs than any other single artist in history and has sold over 63 million records – amassing 28 platinum or multi-platinum discs ñ more than any other country artist.
Reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney will thrill the crowd with one of his legendary live performances and treat fans to his last concert of 2005. Having played to over one million fans each of the last three years, the man whose quadruple platinum When The Sun Goes Down, has been the soundtrack of the past two summers is thrilled to do his part.
Add in yet one more superstar – Alan Jackson! In the midst of another amazingly successful tour himself, Mr. Jackson has sold over 43 million records and has amassed 31 Number One hitsóincluding 21 he both penned and performed as well as two additional chart-toppers he penned for fellow artists.
Other performers scheduled to appear is the current CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride (CMA Female Vocalist of the Year) and Texas legends Willie Nelson and ZZ Top. Ms. McBride has scored 20 top ten country hits and has five platinum and two triple platinum records to her name. Nelson, one of the most prolific songwriters and performers of our generation, is certainly one of the most generous humans alive. Not only is he the author and performer of countless hit songs, he is also one of the founders of his own initiative, Farm Aid.
During the course of their 36-year career, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ZZ TOP have come to be known as the musical embodiment of the spirit of Texas. Not long after their first blush of success, Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard were dubbed ìThat Little Ol’ Band From Texas.î That handle that has stood them in good stead through a string of multi platinum releases including Eliminator, El Loco, Tres Hombres and Deguello and such massive hit singles as ìTush,î ìLaGrange,î ìGimme All Your Loviní,î ìSharp Dressed Manî and, of course, ìLegs.î While these musical and cultural icons have released a total of seventeen albums, 1975ís Fandango! stands as a special case. One side was recorded in the studio, the other live at The Warehouse in New Orleans, and served as a showcase of the bandís amazing ability to translate their recording artistry to the performance stage.
Based in Houston, the members of ZZ Top have an abiding love for the entire Gulf Coast region, which, early on, served as their launching pad to success. ìOur hearts go out to all of our neighbors who have suffered because of Katrina,î commented Gibbons. ìWeíre very happy to be part of ëOne Countryí and to do whatever we can to help out,î Hill adds. Frank Beard stated, ìWeíre looking forward to seeing everybody who feels the way we doñand thatís just about everybodyñat Reliant Stadium.î
Cross Canadian Ragweed has built a cult-like following by their relentless touring, and a true dedication to the show and their fans. Their brand of hip, alt-country will be a crowd pleaser.
CMA Horizon Award Nominee Miranda Lambert is the top selling debut country Artist to date in 2005. Her debut CD Kerosene entered the Billboard Country Albums Chart at #1 in March, earning her an elite spot in music history as only the sixth country artist ever to have their first album debut at number one. Kerosene has gone on to sell more records in 2005 than any other country newcomer. Currently, Miranda is touring with country superstar Keith Urban.
With a baritone that bellies his age, 19-year-old Blaine Larsen has attracted the attention of fans and critics alike. His powerful debut single, “How Do You Get That Lonely,” was a top 15 hit and propelled Larsen to one of the best selling new country artists of the year. Good Morning America featured him as a breakout artist of 2005 and USA Weekend proclaimed him as ìNashville’s Boy Wonder.î He’s currently on the Rascal Flatt’s ìHereís To Youî tour, and he opened several shows for superstar Kenny Chesney earlier this year.
“One Country” will be produced entirely with donated equipment and services – from the sound and lights, to the stage, the crews, the artists, security and ushers – all elements are being donated by the concert vendors. Houston’s Reliant Stadium has also donated complete use of the facility and all-related services, allowing proceeds to go directly to charity.
Alongside Louis Messina, fellow Chairmen, Dr. Carolyn Farb, author and well-known philanthropist and Chairman of the Board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Paul Somerville, answered the call to action and pledged their talents and resources to ensure the promise of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Already at the forefront of the Houston relief effort, Shea Guinn, general manager of Reliant Park said, ìWe are eager to be a part of such an incredible event that has the potential to provide additional mass relief to our Gulf Coast neighbors.î The Reliant Stadium facility and all related services, including staff and the proceeds from parking as well as food and beverage sold at the event, have been donated.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, known for its commitment to helping others, has graciously joined the effort by offering the use of its production facilities, underwriting crew costs and unleashing the full str
ength of its fulltime staff and 17,000 member volunteer force. Additionally, ticket stubs from One Country may be redeemed for a day ticket to the 2006 Houston Livestock Show, including admission to the livestock and horse shows, carnival, shopping and food exhibits, and childrenís and educational exhibits (admission does not include events at Reliant Stadium).
CMT’s “One Country” campaign was launched earlier this year and is designed to promote volunteerism on a local and national level by highlighting everyday heroes and raising awareness of the great works of many non-profit organizations.
source: CMT/The Messina Group
updated September 21, 2005
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