Nashville, Tenn. — Young songwriters will fill the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Ford Theater with songs about dreams, family, football, piggybacks and more on Tuesday, April 29, during the annual Words & Music Night.

Middle Tennessee students will perform their original songs accompanied by volunteer professional songwriters during the annual event, which will be hosted by hit recording artist and Museum board member Trisha Yearwood.

The evening will feature songs written by Tennessee students throughout the 2007-08 school year. The program, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is open to performing students and their families.

“The Words & Music program allows students to express themselves creatively and to learn the craft of lyric writing,” said Justine Gregory, director of education and public programming for the Museum. “The Words & Music Night recital showcases the breadth, depth and quality of those student compositions. When the students perform their songs on the Ford Theater stage with professional songwriters, it is not only a proud moment for the audience of parents, teachers and Museum staff, but also an evening of first-rate entertainment. We look forward to it every year.”

Words & Music Night is the culmination of the yearlong Words & Music program. Classes participating in the program complete a four-part lesson plan, developed by the Museum, which highlights the lyric-writing process. Students write or co-write lyrics in the classroom; the lyrics are then given to professional songwriters, who refine their lyrics and add melodies. Finally, students visit the Museum for a tour and a performance of their songs by their participating songwriter.

More than 4,700 kindergarten through 12th-grade students at 51 Tennessee and Florida schools wrote songs that were put to music by 48 volunteer professional songwriters throughout the 2007-08 school year. This is the 29th year that the Museum has offered its Words & Music program.

Professional songwriters volunteering their time and talent to participate in the program during the 2007-08 school year include Deborah Adams, Rich Adams, Shane Adams, Joel Atkins, Tim Buppert, Shawn Byrne, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Todd Cerny, Jeff Chase, Larry Wayne Clark, Kim Copeland, Candace Corrigan, Gary Culley, Jeff Dayton, Moriah Domby, Jason Duke, Erin Enderlin, Steven Farmer, Micki Fuhrman-Milom, Doug Gill, Joel Goldstein, Janne Henshaw, Bob Howard, Kathy Hussey, Casey Kelly, Les Kerr, Lynn Langham, Bill Maier, Simon McCain, Jim McCormick, Craig Monday, Steve Nelson, Ron Oates, Alan Powell, Sandy Ramos, Bill Renfrew, Karen Reynolds, Nelda Sisk, Belinda Smith, Gary Michael Smith, Bob Spanburgh, Charley Stefl, Keith Thompson, Richard Trest, Jerry Vandiver, Tammy Vice, Camille Wallin and Lee Young.

Participating schools for 2007-08 include Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Battle Ground Academy, Belvoir Christian Academy, Big Ridge Elementary School, Blue Angels Elementary School, Brentwood Academy, Cannon County High School, Chadwell Elementary School, Christ the King School, Clinton County Middle School, David Lipscomb Middle School, Donelson Christian Academy, DuPont Hadley Middle School, The Ensworth School, Escambia High School, Glenview Elementary School, Gower Elementary School, Grassland Elementary School, Gulf Shores High School, Gulf Shores Middle School, H.G. Hill Middle School, Harpeth High School, Heritage Hills Middle School, Hunters Bend Elementary School, Jack Anderson Elementary School, Jackson-Madison County Board of Education, Lake City Middle School, McFadden School of Excellence, Meigs Magnet Middle School, Moves & Grooves, Inc., Oak Hill School, Oak View Elementary School, Old Center Elementary School, Oliver Springs Elementary School, Overbrook School, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Pope John Paul II High School, Robert F. Woodall Elementary School, Rockvale School, Rose Park Middle School, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Stanford Elementary Montessori Design Center, Sumner Academy, Tulip Grove Elementary School, W.A. Wright Elementary School, Walnut Grove Elementary School, Walter J. Baird Middle School, Westwood Elementary School, White House Christian Academy, Wilson Elementary School and Woodland Middle School.

This program is supported in part by grants from the ASCAP Foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund, Metro Nashville Arts Commission and from the Tennessee Arts Commission, through an agreement with the National Endowment for the Arts.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.com.

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Nashville, Tenn., April 9, 2008—The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is preparing to dim the lights on Marty Robbins: Among My Souvenirs, Presented By Great American Country Television Network, which opened in the Museum’s East Gallery on August 3, 2007. In anticipation of the exhibit’s June 9 denouement, the Museum is offering a packed May/June lineup of Robbins-themed programs including a tribute concert featuring Jesse Lee Jones & Brazilbilly with Ronny Robbins on Saturday, May 10; a country costuming program for kids featuring Katy K on Saturday, May 24; a series of film screenings and more.

Marty Robbins’ music touched many lives – none more so than that of his son, Ronny Robbins, who pursued a musical career before devoting himself to the management of his late father’s estate. On Saturday, May 10, Ronny Robbins will join Jesse Lee Jones and Jones’ band, Brazilbilly, for a special concert celebrating the music of Marty Robbins. The program, which begins at 2 p.m. in the Museum’s Ford Theater, will also include an interview with Ronny Robbins and Jones. It is included with museum admission and free to museum members.

Ronny Robbins was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved with his family to Nashville in 1953, when his father became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Ronny shared his father’s love of singing, auto racing and the Old West. He toured with his father and did some recording in the 1970s and ’80s, and he appeared in films including the Marty Robbins western Guns of a Stranger. Ronny Robbins now oversees Marty Robbins Enterprises, and he worked closely with Museum Curator Mick Buck to develop Among My Souvenirs.

Brazilbilly founder Jesse Lee Jones was born and raised in Sao Paolo, Brazil. He began performing in his teens and in 1984, at the age of 21, moved to the United States to pursue a music career. After experimenting with many different musical styles, Jones realized his first love was traditional country music, and in 1994 he moved to Nashville. Upon discovering Marty Robbins’ recordings, many of which had a Latin flavor, Jones fell in love with the Hall of Fame member’s music; Robbins quickly became Jones’ greatest influence. In 1995, Jones began playing at Robert’s Western World, opening for BR-549. The band nicknamed him the “Brazilian Hillbilly,” which was soon shortened to “Brazilbilly.” The latter moniker became the name of Jones’ band. Brazilbilly succeeded BR-549 as the house band at Robert’s Western World in 1998, and continues to entertain Music City audiences every weekend with its “traditional country music with a Latin flair.”

A complete list of closing programs presented in conjunction with the Among My Souvenirs exhibition follows below:

Marty Robbins: Among My Souvenirs, Presented by Great American Country Television Network May/June Programs

Sunday, May 4 - All Day
Film Loop: Country Style USA hosted by Marty Robbins (1959)
Owen and Harold Bradley, veteran music business figures and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, developed and filmed Country Style USA in their Music Row studio, the Quonset Hut, starting in 1958. The U.S. Army Recruiting Service sponsored and syndicated these 15-minute programs that showcased many of the great country acts of the day. These two episodes feature Marty Robbins with guest appearances by Joyce Paul and the Anita Kerr Singers. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 30 minutes. Free.

Friday, May 9 - 1:00 p.m.
Curator’s Exhibit Tour
A museum curator offers a guided tour of Among My Souvenirs. Approximately 60 minutes. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

Saturday, May 10 - 2:00 p.m.
Concert: The Music of Marty Robbins featuring Jesse Lee Jones & Brazilbilly with Ronny Robbins
Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

Sunday, May 11 - All Day
Film Loop: The Drifter (1965) featuring Marty Robbins with special guests Jerry Byrd and Tex Ritter
Marty Robbins credited Gene Autry as a major influence on his life and career. From western-themed country songs and cowboy ballads like “El Paso” and “Big Iron” to western films likeThe Badge of Marshal Brennan (1957) and Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964), Robbins’ admiration for Autry was evident throughout his career. In 1965-66, Marty produced and created the television show The Drifter with a concept not unlike a Gene Autry movie in short form. Shot in black and white, the series starred Marty as the Drifter, a roaming cowboy whose travels took him from one musical adventure to another in each episode. This film loop includes two episodes, “Songs from the Islands” featuring special guest Jerry Byrd, and “General Store” featuring special guest Tex Ritter. Don Winters and Bobby Sykes sing harmonies with Robbins. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 60 minutes. Free.

Sunday, May 18 - All Day
Film Loop: Best of the Marty Robbins Show (1968-69)
From the mid-1950s through the late 1970s, Marty Robbins was either the star or host of four television series. Originally broadcast in 1968-69, The Marty Robbins Show featured Marty with his band and highlighted the range of his repertoire. This film loop is a collection of Marty’s performances from the series, as gathered by Marty Robbins Enterprises in 1992. Two 60-minute films will loop continuously. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 120 minutes. Free.

Saturday, May 24 - 1:00 p.m.
Family Program: Country Costuming with Katy K
Marty Robbins was known for his elaborate and colorful stage clothing. In this hands-on workshop, Katy K, nationally recognized western-wear designer and owner of the Nashville boutique Katy K’s Ranch Dressing, will discuss Robbins’ sense of style. Participants will design their own country costumes on paper using fabric swatches, collage, glitter and sequins. Ages 5 to 15. Space is limited. Reservations required at 615-416-2001. Free.

Sunday, May 25 - All Day
Film Loop: Marty Robbins’ Spotlight (1977) with special guests Brenda Lee and Porter Wagoner
In 1977, Marty Robbins hosted his own syndicated television series, Marty Robbins’ Spotlight. On air for only one year, the show featured Robbins with special guests in casual dialogue and performance. This screening includes two 30-minute episodes and features special guests Brenda Lee and Porter Wagoner. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 60 minutes. Loop will run all day except from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free.

Sunday, May 25 - 2:00 p.m.
Film Screening: Tribute: Grand Ole Opry Stars of the Fifties hosted by Marty Robbins (1954-55)
Tribute: Grand Ole Opry Stars of the Fifties is a collection of performances recorded in the mid-1950s under the title Stars of the Grand Ole Opry. The original program was a collaboration between Chicago-based TV and movie producer Albert Gannaway and the Grand Ole Opry. Gannaway is recognized as one of thefirst to film live country music performances. Shot in 35 mm Technicolor, Stars of the Grand Ole Opry was a 30-minute program syndicated for broadcast on television beginning in 1955. The program featured different country acts and a rotating cast of Opry stars as the show’s host. In this screening, Marty Robbins hosts with performances by Little Jimmy Dickens, Webb Pierce, Carl Smith, Ernest Tubb, Kitty Wells and others. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total screening time is 60 minutes. Free.

Sunday, June 1 - All Day
Film Loop: Marty Robbins’ Spotlight (1977) with special guests Hank Williams Jr. and Johnny Paycheck
This screening includes two 30-minute episodes. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 60 minutes. Free.

Sunday, June 8 - All Day
Film Loop: The Midnight Special “Country Edition” (1973) hosted by Marty Robbins and Loretta Lynn
The legendary musical television series The Midnight Special captured live performances of some of popular music’s biggest icons during its tenure on NBC. Airing weekly from 1973 to 1981, the show featured a diverse line-up of talent, from Steely Dan to the Shirelles to Electric Light Orchestra to the Raspberries. In 1973, Marty Robbins and Loretta Lynn co-hosted The Midnight Special “Country Edition,” which included performances by Lynn and Robbins, as well as Don Gibson, Tom T. Hall, George Jones, the Earl Scruggs Revue, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette and more. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is approximately 70 minutes. Free.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.com.

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Karan Casey released “Ships in the Forest” (Compass Records) this week.

Gibson Brothers “Iron & Diamonds” Release Party happens April 10

The Gibson Brothers will celebrate the release of their latest album “Iron & Diamonds” (Sugar Hill) during a CD Release Party at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. later this week. The show and celebration kicks off at 9:00 PM this Thursday evening. Cover Charge is $10.00 at the door. It should be an outstanding show based on the strength of their latest release.

Irish Singer Karan Casey released “Ships in the Forest” on Compass Records this week

On “Ships in the Forest,” her fifth solo album and debut on Compass Records, Karan Casey’s warm soprano ebbs and flows around ballads both timely and timeless. Produced by and featuring founding Capercaillie member Donald Shaw, Casey surrounded herself with a wealth of special guests including Caoimhín Vallely (piano), Cillian Vallely (pipes), Kate Ellis (cello), Kris Drever (vocals), Martin O’Neill (bodhrán), Niall Vallely (concertina) and Robbie Overson on guitar. The songs found on “Ships in the Forest” range from fresh arrangements of tried and true folk standards (“Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” and “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”) to “The Fiddle and the Drum”, Joni Mitchell’s 1969 anti-war madrigal.

Among the dates on her North American Tour are a pair of dates at Merlefest. For other dates and information visit Karan Casey online.

Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s up coming events.

Friday, April 11, 2008
Curators Exhibit Tour: Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy — 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Songwriter Session w/ Dave Robbins — Noon
Interview and Performance w/ Jett Williams — 2:00 p.m.
Autograph Signing w/ Jett Williams — 3:30 p.m. (FREE)

Sunday, April 13, 2008
Banjo Demonstration w/ Rik Palieri — 1:00 p.m.
Film Screening: Kate Smith Evening Hour (1952) — 2:00 p.m. (FREE)

Saturday, April 19, 2008
Songwriter Session w/ Freddy Weller — Noon
Family Program: Musical Petting Zoo — 1:00 p.m. (FREE)

Sunday, April 20, 2008
Fiddle, Mandolin, and Guitar Demonstration w/ Maddie Denton — 1:00 p.m.

The Museum is located at 222 Fifth Ave. S. in downtown Nashville, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission is $17.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages six to 17, and free for children under six. The Museum offers discounted admission ($16.15) to seniors (55 and older), the military and students (with valid IDs). Group rates are available for tours of 15 or more. There is no charge to visit the Curb Conservatory or the Museum Store.

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Nashville, Tenn. — Business leader and cultural arts activist Steve Turner, the founder of the Nashville-based investment firm Marketstreet Equities Company, was recently elected as the new chairman of the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees. Singer-songwriter-guitar-chieftain Vince Gill was voted president for a seventh consecutive one-year term.

Retired Gaylord Entertainment CEO E. W. “Bud” Wendell, who has served seven consecutive terms as the Museum’s chairman, and Brookside Properties founder and chairman Nelson Andrews, a trustee since 1997, were honored as trustees emeriti.

Turner joined the Museum’s board in 1997 and has served as a trustee since 2000. Widely known for his philanthropy and civic leadership, he is a member of the board of trustees of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, which opened in a new downtown facility a few weeks prior to the Museum’s nearby opening in 2001. As a member of the Nashville Symphony Association board, he chaired the building committee for the multi-million dollar Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which opened one block from the Museum in September 2006. He also serves on the board of trustees of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D. C.

E. W. “Bud” Wendell

Wendell served his first two terms as a Museum trustee from 1973 through 1979, when he resigned to focus on his growing professional responsibilities as CEO at WSM. Following Gaylord Entertainment’s acquisition of WSM and other entertainment interests in 1983, Wendell spearheaded the company’s launch of TNN. Wendell was named president and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment in 199l, and led the company through the acquisition of CMT and the launch of CMT Europe. He expanded the Opryland Hotel into Nashville’s largest convention facility and established the Opryland Music Group, which acquired and revitalized the massive Acuff-Rose publishing catalogue.

In addition, Wendell oversaw Gaylord’s $8.5 million renovation of the Ryman Auditorium and the opening of the $7.5 million Wildhorse Saloon. In 1994, Gaylord opened new corporate offices in the appropriately named E. W. Wendell Building. Wendell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

Following his retirement from Gaylord in 1997, and having already raised millions for the Boy Scouts of America and United Way, Wendell volunteered to lead Bringing America’s Music Home, the $l5 million capital campaign that would partially finance a new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, also to be located in downtown Nashville near the Ryman Auditorium and the Wildhorse Saloon. Including a $4 million “founding partner” contribution from the Ford Motor Co., which gave the Museum the green light to break ground, Wendell surpassed the campaign goal by more than $2.6 million.

Re-joining the Museum’s board in 2000, Wendell was elected chairman in 2001.

Nelson Andrews

In addition to building one of the most successful real estate firms in the southeast, Andrews has spent a lifetime contributing his business acumen and visionary leadership to numerous charitable and civic causes. He was founding president of the Nashville Better Business Bureau, Leadership Nashville, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Canby Robinson Society of the Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Andrews has chaired the Tennessee Tax Structure Study Commission, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee and the Tennessee Board of Education. Currently, he chairs the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and serves on the boards of the Middle Tennessee YMCA and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

Last year, the Community Foundation honored Andrews with the prestigious Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award, recognizing his long-term dedication to making Middle Tennessee a better place to live.

In addition to Wendell and Andrews, the Museum’s trustees emeriti include Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Foglesong, Richard Frank, Country Music Hall of Fame member-elect Emmylou Harris, Bruce Hinton, Ken Roberts and Janice Wendell.

New Trustees

New trustees, elected for three-year terms, include Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO, Gibson Guitar Corporation; and Ernie Williams, principal and director, Lee, Danner & Bass, Inc. Trustee Tim Wipperman was re-elected. Remaining trustees include David Conrad, Mike Curb, J. William Denny, Randy Goodman, John Grady, Keel Hunt, Kevin Lavender and Steve Turner.

New Officers

Newly elected officers include Troy Tomlinson, president and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC; and Steve Lynn, CEO, Backyard Burgers. The new board members join officers Earl Bentz, Connie Bradley, Mike Dungan, Rod Essig, Al Giombetti, Francis Guess, Lon Helton, Ken Levitan, Luke Lewis, Don Light, Mary Ann McCready, Donna Nicely, David Ross, Jody Williams and Trisha Yearwood.

CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese remains as an ex-officio member. Chris Horsnell and Mike Milom of Milom Joyce Horsnell Crow PLC continue as the not-for-profit educational organization’s legal counsel.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B, and Hatch Show Print.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.com

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The Seldom Scene play Mar. 28 at the Music Center at Strathmore in Maryland. Photo by Michael Stewart

Bluegrass On the Tuesday Night Opry

The Grascals will play on the 7:30 - 8:00 portion of the Tuesday night Opry tonight, March 11th.

You can also catch the “Idol of American Youth,” Ranger Doug Green and bandmates, Riders in the Sky on the 7:00-7:30 portion. Riders in the Sky are offering a special discount on Opry tickets for all their fans. Check out Riders in the Sky online for more information.

The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on WSM 650 AM radio, online at www.WSMonline.com and on XM Satellite Radio (XM 11). All listed times are central time.

Hall of Fame Happenings

Sunday March 23, at 1:00PM the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn. will host a Dobro and Flatpick Guitar Demonstration with Al Goll and Tim May.

The Museum is located at 222 Fifth Ave. S. in downtown Nashville, Tenn. and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Bluegrass coming to The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland

Friday, March 28th Washington D.C. based band and 2006 Wammie Award winners, The Seldom Scene and 2006 National Heritage Award winner, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver will present an evening of Bluegrass music. The show starts at 8:00 PM (eastern). For tickets and more information visit the Strathmore online.

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