Spotlight On Celebrity Fight Night - Spotlight1 - March 2018
Spotlight On Jim Curry - Music of John Denver - Spotlight2 - February 2018
Spotlight On "Hotel California" A Salute to the Eagles - Spotlight1 - February 2018
Spotlight On The HillBenders - Spotlight1 - January 2018
Spotlight On Tanya Tucker - Spotlight2 - December 2017
Spotlight On The Bellamy Brothers - Spotlight1 - December 2017
Spotlight On All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers Farewell Celebration - Spotlight 3 - October 2017
Spotlight On 38 Special - Spotlight2 - October 2017
Spotlight On Olivia Newton-John - Spotlight1 - October 2017
Spotlight On Deborah Allen - Spotlight3 - September 2017
Spotlight On Rhonda Vincent - Spotlight2 - September 2017
Spotlight On Sylvia - Spotlight - September 2017
Spotlight On Country Thunder Craven - Spotlight - August 2017
Spotlight On Donny & Marie July 2017 Spotlight - July 2017
Spotlight On Kathy Mattea July 2017- Spotlight On Kathy Mattea
Spotlight On Country Thunder 2017 - Spotlight - May 2017
Spotlight On The
Country Music Cruise 2017
Country
Unplugged Starring Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt & Lorrie Morgan at the
Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ Dolly Parton's
Smoky
Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund THE 50TH
ANNUAL CMA AWARDS 2016 Scotty
McCreery at the Arizona State Fair Dolly
Parton at the Laughlin Events Center in Laughlin, NV & Hank
Williams Jr. at the Casino Del Sol Resort AVA Amphitheater in Tucson, AZ Dolly
Parton's New Album Pure & Simple
Available Worldwide Spotlight On 2016
Craven
Country Jamboree Spotlight On Stars
Behind The
Stars: A Benefit For The Blue Spotlight On Kenny
Rogers -
The Gambler's Last Deal World Tour Mark
Chestnutt;
Tradition Lives 2016
Country Thunder In Florence, Arizona Celebrity Fight
Night XXII In
Phoenix, Arizona Suzy Bogguss At The
Musical
Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ The Flower Power
Cruise 2016 The Country Music
Cruise 2016 Tanya Tucker at the
Wild
Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler, Arizona Mandy Barnett At
The Higley
Center For The Performing Arts In Gilbert, AZ Kenny Rogers Lee Ann Womack The Craven Country
Jamboree
2015 Dolly Parton Wynonna and the Big
Noise at
the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona Country Thunder USA
2015 in
Florence, Arizona The Muhammad Ali's
Celebrity
Fight Night XXI In Phoenix, AZ Kathy Mattea at
the Del
E. Webb Center For Collin
Raye at the Higley Center for the
Performing Arts The
Charlie Daniels Band At The Celebrity
Theatre In Phoenix, AZ The 2014
CMA Awards Josh
Turner at the Arizona State Fair in
Phoenix, Arizona Justin
Moore at the Arizona State Fair in
Phoenix, Arizona Lee
Greenwood at the Constitution Fair in
Gilbert, Arizona The 2014
Craven Country Jamboree Kathy
Mattea and the Don Juans in Nashville,
TN Kathy
Mattea at the Musical Instrument Museum Ryan
Shupe & the RubberBand At The Higley
Center For The Performing Arts In Gilbert, Arizona Clint
Black At The Higley Center For The
Performing Arts In Gilbert, Arizona John
Michael Montgomery At
The Higley Center For The Performing Arts In Gilbert, Arizona C. Daniel
Boling At The Higley Center For The
Performing Arts In Gilbert, Arizona Juice
Newton & Exile At The Higley
Performing Arts Center Trace
Adkins at the Arizona State Fair The
Arizona State Fair WE
Fest 2013 The
2013 Craven Country
Jamboree In Saskatchewan, Canada Martina
McBride at the
Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona Taylor
Swift and Her
'Red Tour' in Glendale, Arizona In Memory
of George Jones
1931 - 2013 Country
Thunder Arizona The
Country Radio Seminar 2013
in Nashville, TN The 55th
Annual Grammy Awards Cavalia
Odysseo - The Horses - The Music -
The Artists Donnie
& Marie Christmas in Arizona Spotlight
On The 2012 Country Music
Association Awards Kathy
Mattea - Calling Me Home The 2012
Craven Country Jamboree Kathy
Mattea At The Bluebird Cafe In
Nashville, TN Sugarland
Concert At The Ashley Furniture
Homestore Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona The
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre's "A Closer
Walk With Patsy Cline" in Mesa, Arizona Country
Thunder in Florence, Arizona Celebrity
Fight Night XVIII in Phoenix,
Arizona Merle
Haggard at the Edgewater Casino in
Laughlin, NV The 54th
Annual Grammy Awards The 2nd
Annual American Country Awards Kathy
Mattea - Inducted Into The West
Virginia Music Hall Of Fame. The
2011 West Virginia Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held on
October 15, 2011 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West
Virginia. Kathy Mattea was inducted this
year
along with, Billy Cox, Connie Smith, Butch Miles, Diamond Teeth Mary,
Jack Rollins and Tommy Thompson. LeAnn
Rimes at the Edgewater Casino E Center in Laughlin,
NV Fan
Fair Week in Nashville, TN with Kathy Mattea, R.O.P.E.,
& Marty Stuart Country
Thunder 2011 in Florence, AZ Celebrity
Fight Night XVII The
2011 Grammy Awards The
Judds -
The Last Encore Tour The
Arizona
Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Benefit Vince
Gill The
Charlie
Daniels Band The
Judds: The Last Encore Tour Country
Thunder 2010 Celebrity
Fight Night XVI
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
The Country Music Cruise 2017 was held on the Holland America Line
Oosterdam out of Tampa, Florida on January 27 - February 3, 2017.
Ports of call were Tampa, Key West, Cozumel and Coast Maya, Mexico.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Country
Unplugged Starring Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt & Lorrie Morgan was
held at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona on January 13,
2017.
It was a packed house with fans wanting to
hear some real traditional country music. The three entertainers didn't
disappoint as they sang hit after hit. It was a guitar pull type
of concert with each performer taking turns singing their songs.
It
was fantastic hear some great country music.
continued....
On Nov. 28, devastating wildfires burned some 17,000 acres in the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. The fires also affected parts of
Gatlinburg and Sevier County, TN. Sadly, 14 people lost their lives in
these terrible fires, and over 100 confirmed injuries were reported.
Over 14,000 people were evacuated during the fires which damaged or
destroyed more than 1,700 structures (homes, businesses and churches).
In Gatlinburg alone, officials estimate the wildfires caused more than
$500 million in damage. Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the
My People Fund: Dolly
Parton
and a host of artists and celebrities took to the airwaves during Smoky
Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
The Country Music Association Awards were held on November 2, 2016 in
Nashville, TN. The Country Music Association Awards,
theoretically a
joyful night that celebrates country singers, had a common theme this
year: tears. Miranda Lambert wiped her eyes at the end of the
show's
emotional opener, which featured a medley of classic country songs that
culminated in a singalong of "Forever and Ever, Amen" with Randy
Travis, who suffered a near-fatal stroke three years ago. Thomas Rhett
said he and Garth Brooks cried together during that performance.
Songwriter Lori McKenna broke down when she won song of the year for
Tim McGraw's "Humble and Kind."
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Scotty McCreery performed at the Arizona State Fair on October 19,
2016. He put on such a fantastic show that many of his fans
were standing the
whole concert. Scotty has a great voice and it was fun to hear
his
story about his experience on America Idol. Scotty was the winner
of
American Idol in 2011.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Dolly
Parton performed at the Laughlin Events Center in Laughlin, Nevada on
September 30, 2016 to a sold out show. Parton's concert was 2 1/2
hours of her many hit songs from throughout her long and successful
career. She included many stories of her growing up years.
She also
shared her sense of humor. Parton played many instruments
throughout
her show including the Dulcimer, Autoharp, Saxaphone, Piano, Banjo,
Penny Whistle, Harmonica, Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar.
She is
so very talented. Parton's shoe was a musical journey of
her life and
career. Parton included some new songs too off her new CD 'Pure
&
Simple'. Dolly sounded great and looked great too.
She is a true
living legend of Country Music. Dolly Parton is a true life
entertainer!
------------------------------------ Dual
Spotlight!-------------------------------------------
Hank Williams Jr. performed at the Casino Del Sol Resort AVA
Amphitheater in Tucson, Arizona
on September 25, 2016 to a full house. Williams had the audience
standing on their feet from the first note to the last. Williams
really put on a fantastic show. He belted out all his hit songs
and
good ole country music. He changed many hats throughout his
concert.
During his show he played many guitars, the fiddle, and the piano
too.
The audience sang along with him during many of his songs especially,
"Family Traditions". Bocephus, a nickname his father gave
him, is a
true showman. In January, Williams released his newest CD
"It's About
Time".
continued....
Dolly Records and Sony Music Nashville Announce Joint Venture; Dolly
Parton's New Album Pure & Simple Available Worldwide.
World-renowned singer/songwriter/entertainer Dolly Parton and Sony
Music Nashville announced a joint venture and the launch of Dolly's new
studio album,Pure & Simple, for worldwide distribution. Released on
Dolly Records/RCA Nashville. "I may not be pure, but I'm as
simple as
they come! This new Pure & Simple project is really special to me
because I'm taking my fans back to my roots. I feel like these songs
have a pure, tender side and we didn't go overboard with arrangements.
I'm so glad we've teamed up with our friends at Sony to get this album
out to the fans," said Dolly Parton.
continued....
Story and photos by Glen R. Forrester
2016 Craven Country Jamboree was held on July 14-17, 2016.
The big kick off party started in the Beer Garden with William and Ree
(The Indian and The White Guy). They been together for three decades
and they are American's favorite comedy team. Then after them, Chad
Brownlee came on. He always lives in the moment and absorbing every
minute. He makes his transition from former NHL draft pick to touring
with Grammy-nominee Dierks Bentley all across the country.
continued.....
Country Superstar Lineup Includes Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys,
Mark Wills, Collin Raye, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, The
Bellamy Brothers, T. Graham Brown, Johnny Lee, Gene Watson, John
Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Mickey Gilley and Moe Bandy Will Be Backed by
Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Band; Randy Travis Scheduled to Make a
Special Appearance.
continued.....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Kenny Rogers brought his The Gambler's Last Deal show to the Comerica
Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on June 26, 2016. His concert was
fantastic
with songs and videos of his life in music and from his movies. His
special guest was Linda Davis, who had a number one hit "Does He Love
You" with Reba McEntire. She really added some great music to the
show. Rogers sounded wonderful and looked great too. He put on an
awesome show with all of his hits from throughout his long and
successful career. Rogers also added many stories throughout the
evening. He brought his humor with him too.
continued.....
Mark Chesnutt Set To Release Tradition Lives On July 8
Fans of country music hit-maker Mark Chesnutt will want to circle the
date of July 8 on their calendar as the traditional-minded singer will
release his fifteenth studio album that day, aptly titled Tradition
Lives.
continued...
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Arizona Country Thunder was held in Florence,
Arizona on
April 7-10, 2016. Day 1 - Newcomer
Eden kicks off 2016 Country Thunder. Brooke
Eden confessed to Thursday's early afternoon Country Thunder audience:
"You don't know me. I'm brand new."
continued...
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
In Phoenix, Arizona, on April 9, 2016, host Muhammad Ali, alongside
stars and athletes from around the country, gathered at the J.W.
Marriott DesertRidge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona to celebrate
the 22nd Anniversary of Celebrity Fight Night. GRAMMY Award
winning
superstar of country music Reba McEntire returned for her eleventh year
as emcee. Shawn King kicked off the night with the national anthem.
Seven time GRAMMY Award winner Carrie Underwood, Arizona Cardinals
quarterback Carson Palmer, businessman and philanthropist Dr. Francis
Yeoh, businessman and musician Yank Barry, and the philanthropic
Argyros family were honored with the 2016 Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight
Night Awards.
continued...
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Suzy Bogguss performed March 29-30, 2016 at The Music Instrument Museum
in Phoenix, AZ. She performed two sold out shows. Bogguss
took us on
a musical journey of her career. She sang most of her hits
including
Someday Soon, Aces, Outbound Plane, Letting Go, Hey Cinderella, and
Drive South. She also sang some ole cowboy songs including
Shenandoah
and Patsy Montana's hit I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart.
Bogguss
can still yodel!
continued...
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
The Flower Power Cruise 2016 was February 29 - March 5, 2016 from Ft
Lauderdale, to Cozumel and Key West.
It was one Groovy cruise with lots of great 60's music.
Day 1 - February 29, 2016 - The Celebrity Constellation set sail for
Cozumel, Mexico. There was a sail away party with Beatle Brunch
Radio
Host Joe Johnson and hosted by Micky Dolenz (The Monkeys). An All
Access Pass Live TV Interview with host Jason Venner was held with
Jefferson Starship. Abbey Road on the River Artist Hal Bruce
performed
in the Grand Foyer.
continued....
Story and Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
This years Country Music Cruise 2016 was spectacular. It was held
January 16 - 23, 2016 on the Holland America's m/s Westerdam. It
started off in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and visited Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand
Cayman and then returned to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This cruise is surely a
country music fans dream cruise!
continued....
Story and Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
The
legend of country music, Tanya Tucker, performed live at the Wild Horse
Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler, Arizona on December 4, 2015 to a
sold out show. Tanya is such an incredible performer, it's
easy to see
why the audience loves her. Tucker started off her show singing
'Some
Kind of Trouble', 'I'll Come Back As Another Women', then 'Hangin'
In'. Tucker said one of her favorites is Merle Haggard and she
just
found out he is in the hospital. She will be taking over his show
in
Las Vegas at the Nugget until he is better. She then dedicated the song
'Strong Enough To Bend' to him.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Mandy
Barnett performed November 4, 2015 at the Higley Center for the
Performing Arts in Gilbert, AZ. Acclaimed recording artist
and
performer Mandy Barnett took us on a sparkling musical journey
performing an evening of Patsy Cline's hits including "Sweet Dreams,"
"Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces," "Walking After Midnight," "Faded Love,"
and more, along with other classic country and pop standards, and
selections from her own albums. It was a night of show-stopping
entertainment.
continued....
For
the past 57 years, as sure as the sun would come up in the morning and
set in the evening, there was one thing you could count on - Kenny
Rogers would soon be coming to a venue near you to perform.
However,
that time is now drawing to a close. Kenny Rogers announced on NBC's
The Today Show that his next world tour commencing in 2016 will be his
last.
continued....
In
a world of faster, harder, louder, Lee Ann Womack wants something far
more radical: to be real. Strip it all away, get to the core of life,
love and raw emotion - and you find songs that distill it all to the
stopping power of a hollow point bullet.....
continued....
in Saskatchewan, Canada
The
kickoff party at Craven Country Jamboree in Saskatchewan, Canada on
July 9-12, 2015 started out on Thursday with Williams and Ree (Indian
and The White Guy) hosting all weekend. After them, Blackjack Billy, a
band based in Nashville, went on stage and played for quite a while in
the beer gardens. Friday
at
1:00 Lisa Moen went on the main stage. Lisa and her band Full Throttle
showed people what a small town Outlook, Saskatchewan girl can do. On
March 10 her song "Test Drive" was the number 5 downloaded song on
Canadian radio. At 2:00 Alex Runions came on who is based out of
Regina, Saskatchewan, he will go far in the music business.
continued....
Dolly will debut "Pure and Simple" at the Ryman Auditorium in
Nashville. After selling out Nashville's historic Ryman
Auditorium in
record-setting time, Dolly adds a second benefit concert on Saturday,
August 1, 2015. In addition to the sold-out performance on July 31,
2015, Dolly will showcase her new concert "Pure and Simple" again on
August 1, 2015 in support of the Opry Trust Fund. The July 31 show
along with the encore performance on August 1 mark the first time in 12
years Dolly has headlined in Nashville.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Wynonna and the Big Noise performed at the Celebrity Theatre in
Phoenix, AZ on June 5, 2015. They really made some Big
Noise! It was
fantastic. Wynonna sounded and looked great. Wynonna
started off her
show singing the Judds big hit, "Mama He's Crazy". Then she sang
an
old song, "I Want To Know What Love Is". Someone yelled from the
audience, "I want to sing with you". Wynonna had her come up on
stage
to sing "Grandpa".
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Tens of Thousands of Country
Music-Lovin', Cowboy Boot-Wearin' Fans Descend on Florence, AZ for Day
One of Country Thunder Day
one of Country Thunder kicked off on April 9, 2015 in Florence, Ariz.,
with performances by "Mean to Me," "Don't Ya" and "Beat of the Music"
singer Brett Eldredge, Dallas Smith, The Railers and more. When
attendees weren't singing and dancing at one of the multiple stages
showcasing a variety of music, including classic and new Country and
EDM, they were riding the sling shot and the mechanical bull, going up
in a hot air balloon and more. And the fun was just getting started,
with nothing but clear skies and great Country music for the entire
weekend.
continued....
On
Saturday, March 28, 2015 stars and athletes from around the country
converged at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in
Phoenix, Arizona for Muhammad Ali's 21st Anniversary of Celebrity Fight
Night. GRAMMY Award winning superstar of country music Reba
McEntire
returned for her tenth year as emcee and celebrated her 60th birthday
last night. . . .
continued....
The Performing Arts in Wickenburg, Arizona
Story and Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Kathy
Mattea performed at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts in
Wickenburg, AZ on February 12-13, 2015. Mattea put on
fantastic
shows. For both nights, she had the audience mesmerized with her
beautiful voice and music.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Ten
times nominated as Country Music's Male Vocalist of the Year, Collin
Raye performed at the Higley Center for the performing Arts on January
23, 2015. Raye still has his voice and sounded just like his
records.
The audience really enjoy his show. He sang all his hits
including
"Little Rock", "In This Life", "That's My Story", "I Think About You",
"One Boy, One Girl"
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
The Charlie Daniels Band performed on December
11, 2014
at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ Charlie
sang most of his hits and threw in a couple of Christmas songs. The
Devil Went Down to Georgia, Long Haired Country Boy, Simple Man, The
South's Gonna Do It Again, In America and The Legend of Wooley Swamp
were all real crowd pleasers. Daniels always thanks the military
in
his shows and it was a special moment went he said the Pledge of
Allegiance. The audience really enjoyed the show.
continued....
Photos by Glen R. Forrester
The 48th CMA Awards were held on November
5,
2014. Some of the winners were;
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan - WINNER
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert - WINNER
Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton - WINNER
Album of the Year
Platinum, Miranda Lambert - WINNER
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Josh
Turner performed at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix, Arizona on
October 26, 2014. He put on a fantastic show singing all his hits
including, "Long Black Train", "Would You Go With Me", and
"Haywire". Turner
was raised in Hannah, South Carolina. Growing up in the church,
he
founded a gospel quartet called Thankful Hearts, where he sang bass, in
addition to singing the bass and baritone parts in choirs.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Justin
Moore, the 49th ACM New Artist of the Year, performed on October 11,
2014 at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix, AZ. It was loud, my
ears
are still ringing, but he put on a great show. The audience stood
the
whole concert. He blasted the house down. He
sang many songs from his newest CD, "Off The Beaten
Path". Moore put on a fantastic show with great audience
participation.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
On
September 20, 2014, Lee Greenwood performed at the 2014 Constitution
Fair at the Gilbert Town Square Civic Center in Gilbert,
Arizona. Greenwood put on a fantastic patriotic show with
many of his
hits including many songs from his CD "American Patriot". To end the
evening, he sang his biggest hit, "God Bless The USA" and received a
standing ovation throughout the whole song.
continued....
Photos and story by Glen Forrester
2014
Craven Country Jamboree in Saskatchewan, Canada was sold out this year.
Williams and Ree (Bruce Williams and Terry Ree) hosted the festival for
years and years to come. continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Kathy Mattea performed at the legendary
SOUNDCHECK in
Nashville, TN on June 4, 2014 for her fan club members, the
Matteaheads. Mattea
was celebrating 25 years of her annual Kathy Mattea Fan Club party
during Fan Fair week. Many fans attended from all over the United
States.
continued....
in Phoenix, Arizona
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Kathy
Mattea performed April 15, 2014 at the Musical Instrument Museum in
Phoenix, Arizona and then also at The Fox Theater in Tucson, Arizona on
April 16, 2014. Mattea had many fans attend both
shows. Many had seen
her before and she made many new fans too. She sings such
inspirational music. She sings songs of love, life, hope,
heartfelt,
soul music and throws in some sad songs too. She adds in songs
about
the environment, and songs about a car. I call her a world music
performer.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
On
March 29, 2014 Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand performed at the Higley
Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert, Arizona to an enthusiastic
audience. The crowd loved them. They are planning to
release their
new album in the fall, so I suggest to get it. Their new songs
were
fantastic. RubberBand is a perfect name
for
Ryan Shupe and his band of amazing musicians. Each member possesses
years of experience on his respective instrument and when the band
comes together their collective talent is explosive and undeniable.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Clint
Black performed at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in
Gilbert, Arizona on February 19, 2014 to a packed, cowboy boot wearing,
enthusiastic, country music loving audience. Black
sang all his favorite hits, performed some new music, told some great
jokes and played a mean guitar and harmonica. Included in his
show,
Black sang "Killin' Time", "A Better Man", "Put Yourself in My Shoes",
"When I Said I Do", "No Time to Kill" and many,many others songs.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
John Michael Montgomery performed at the Higley
Center
for the Performing Arts in Gilbert, Arizona on February 1, 2014. He
performed all of his hits from the 1990's to now including "Life's A
Dance", "I Swear," "I Love the Way You Love Me," and "I Can Love You
Like That", "Letters From Home", "Be My Baby Tonight," "Rope The
Moon", and "Sold". He ended his show with the Bob Seager song,
"Turn
The Page," and then played some great guitar licks. He has a
fantastic
band touring with him.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
C. Daniel Boling performed January 5, 2014 at
the Higley
Center for The Performing Arts in Gilbert, Arizona. He
is a great performer. Boling told many stories of his experiences
with
friends and other folk singers he has met during his career. He
is a
fantastic guitar player. During his two set show, Boling also
played
harmonica and a six string he calles a banjitar.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Juice
Newton & Exile performed at the Higley Performing Arts Center in
Gilbert, Arizona on November 16, 2013. They both sang their
biggest
hits from throughout their long careers. It was
a great night with some great music!
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Trace
Adkins performed at the Arizona State Fair on October 12, 2013 to an
excited crowd. Adkins, with his signature baritone voice,
performed
his hits and some old standards to a delighted audience. He had fun
talking with the audience and really enjoyed the Phoenix crowd. Adkins
performed some country, blues and rock n' roll. Adkins put on a
fantastic show.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
The
2013 Fair Concert Series promises something for everyone. No matter
what kind of music gets you dancing in the aisles, youll be exhilarated
at the star studded line-up which includes country stars Trace Adkins
and Billy Currington, and legendary performers Jerry Lewis, ZZ Top, and
Megadeth. Snoop Dogg AKA Snoop Lion, Prince Royce, and Alabama Shakes
will also return to the Fair and youll find plenty of shows for the
kids, including the newest boy band, The Wanted; Zendaya; and KIDZ BOP
KIDS.
continued....
Photos by Glen R. Forrester
WE Fest is an annual three-day country music festival held the first
weekend of August at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota,
United States. The festival was started by Jeff Krueger in August 1983
and was held in a barn to approximately 9,000 people. Since then,
concert goers can choose to camp at different campsites during the
festival. Today, it is now one of the biggest country festivals with
camping in the nation.
continued....
Story and Photos by Glen R. Forrester
The
"Craven Country Jamboree" was held in Saskatchewan, Canada on July
11-14, 2013. The weekend Hosts were Williams and Ree (Bruce Williams
and Terry Ree). They are so funny together. Starting
on Thursday, the kickoff party started off at the beer gardens with
Phil Vassar. The beer gardens was packed during Phil's show and he
enjoyed the crowd so much that he played for an extra half hour.
continued....
Story and Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Martina
McBride performed June 21, 2013 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ
to a packed and enthusiastic crowd. She opened with her up-tempo and
energetic tune "One Night" from her latest album "Eleven." "Hello!
Phoenix," McBride said. "Are you guys ready to have some fun?"
Kids
from the audience started asking her if they could sing with her.
continued....
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Taylor
Swift shared a magical 'Red' night with her fans May 29, 2013 at the
Jobing.com arena in Glendale, AZ. It was a sold out show.
Swift put
on a fantastic show, so when it comes to your town - go see it.
continued....
George
Jones performed hundreds of times at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House -
whether on the WSM Radio show, or appearing on such shows from the
auditorium like the CMA Awards, so it's only appropriate that his
funeral has turned out to be a farewell fit for a country king.
continued....
Country Thunder rolled in to Florence, Arizona on April 11-14,
2013.
With 4 fantastic days of country music, they shook up the town with
mind-blowing country music and down-home festivities. On the
First
day, Thursday, more than 22,000 fans joined the party, and what a start
to the weekend it was! Performers included country hit-makers and
superstars alike. Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Sweetwater Rain
and
Chris Janson all graced the Thunder stage on, playing all of the hits
that have propelled them into superstardom. Festival goers couldn't
help but kick off their cowboy boots and strap on their dancing
shoes.
continued....
The Country Radio Seminar 2013 was held Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2013 in
Nashville, Tenn. at the Nashville Convention Center. This year's event
included more than 20 panels, exhibits and educational presentations,
as well as featured speakers and panelists from all areas of the radio
and records industry.
Known as the biggest Country radio event in the world, the seminar
continued to grow with a cutting edge agenda, with a number of
networking opportunities and performances from some of the biggest
stars in the format.
continued.....
The
55th Annual Grammy Awards were held at the Staples Center in Los
Angeles on Feb. 10, and broadcast on CBS Television. The show was
hosted by LL Cool J, with performances from country stars Taylor Swift,
Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley and Zac Brown Band.
continued.....
Cavalia's Odysseo came into Scottsdale, Arizona
December
19, 2013 and runs through January 29, 2013. The
show was spectacular with multimedia equestrian and acrobatics and
fantastic music. The show is magical, it is one of the greatest
shows
I have ever seen..
continued.....
She's a Little Bit Country, He's a
Little Bit
Rock & Roll
Donnie
and Marie Osmond performed their Christmas in Arizona show at the
Gammage at Arizona State University for a week and ended their show on
December 2, 2012. It was a fantastic show with music from their
careers with Christmas songs performed throughout the show. It
was one
of the best shows I have ever been too, and I have been to alot of
shows.
continued.....
The 46th annual Country Music Association Awards
were
handed out November 1 in Nashville, Tennessee. Miranda
Lambert and her husband Blake Shelton shared this year's Song of Year
honor for co-writing Miranda's Number One ballad, "Over You." The song
was inspired by the loss of Blake's older brother, Richie
Shelton.
continued.....
Daring
folk-trad follow-up to Mattea's Coal features contributions from Stuart
Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Tim and Mollie O'Brien and more... Most
artists take fewer and fewer risks as they get older, but Kathy Mattea
is a striking exception. She didn't play it safe while she charted
mainstream country hits - 16 of them reaching the top ten - and she's
not about to start now.
continued.....
The 2012 Craven Country Jamboree was help July
12-15,
2012. The
Jamboree started off in the beer gardens on Thursday night July 12 with
Diamond Rio. These six guys is one of the greatest bands of all time in
country and that night they proved it. Williams and Ree hosted the big
event and like always they are great hosts.
continued.....
Kathy Mattea performed at The Bluebird Cafe'
30th
Birthday Bash on June 5, 2012 in Nashville, TN. Mattea
performed a couple of her hits, '455 Rocket' and 'Where've You
Been'.
She also performed with Becky Hobbs on 'Angels Among Us'.
continued.....
Sugarland performed on May 26, 2012 at the
Ashley
Furniture Homestore Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona to a near sold out
show.
Their show tour is titled "In The Hand Of The Fans Tour". The
concert
was sure in the hands of the audience as they helped decide which songs
Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush would
perform.
continued.....
The "A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline" at the
Broadway
Palm Dinner Theatre in Mesa, Arizona was FANTASTIC!
Any Patsy Cline fan would love this show. The show is even
sanctioned
by the Patsy Cline Estate. The show is by Dean Reagan and
Production
Advisor is Charlie Dick.
continued.....
Country Thunder was held April 12-15, 2012 on
the 290
acres of Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Arizona. This
years line up was fantastic. Besides all the great music, this years
festival also included a game-centered "Frat House," hosted by Williams
& Ree. They also had DJ acts, more than 40 cornhole tables were set
up for the beanbag-toss game, a mechanical bull, dueling pianos, and
hypnotists. The after-hours party with bands continued until 2 a.m.
nightly at Moonshine Willy's which has been developed into a year-round
venue open Fridays and Saturdays. A bull-riding arena operated midnight
to 2 a.m. adjacent to the saloon. A zip line and hot-air balloon rides
were also new this year.
continued.....
Celebrity
Fight Night was held on March 24, 2012 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The event pulled in more
than
$9.1 million to target disease. This years gala
set a record with 1,300 people in attendance. It was a black-tie
affair featuring stars from many walks of life - athletes, actors and
comedians.
continued....
Merle
Haggard performed at the Edgewater Casino E Center in Laughlin, NV on
March 2, 2012. Just a few months ago, Haggard had
pneumonia, forcing
the cancellation of some of his shows, but you would never know it, he
put on a great show!
continued.....
The Grammy Awards were held on February 12, 2012
at the
Staples Center in L.A. California. Just
as predicted, British songstress Adele dominated the 2012 Grammys, from
a rousing performance of her hit "Rolling In The Deep" to sweeping all
six categories in which she was nominated.
continued....
Jason
Aldean Earns Six Awards; Carrie Underwood and Thompson Square Each Win
Three Awards. Toby Keith Honored with Artist of the Decade
Award. Two-Hour Special Featured Performances by Co-Hosts
Trace Adkins
and Kristin Chenoweth, Alabama, Toby Keith, Eli Young Band, The Band
Perry, Scotty McCreery, Pistol Annies, Blake Shelton, Thompson Square
and Chris Young.
continued.....
continued.....
LeAnn Rimes performed at the Edgewater Casino E Center in Laughlin, NV
on October 1, 2011. It was a sold out show. Throughout her
show,
Rimes mixed in many of her hits, and most of the songs from her new
album titled Lady & Gentlemen, which Rimes co-produced with country
music legend Vince Gill and longtime co-writer Darrell Brown. The songs
from the new album were many Rimes grew up on.
continued...
The 2011 Craven Country Jamboree
The 2011 Craven Country Jamboree was held July 14-17, 2011.
Intense rains flooded the grounds this year making it look like the
event would not happen, but by moving the campsite to a hill and
leaving the stage and grandstands at the original site it became a
reality.
continued...
Fan Fair week was in Nashville, TN June 6-12,
2011. The
CMA Music Fest was held June 9-12th.
It
was a heck of a party with non-stop music for everyone. The
thousands
of fans were entertained by some of country music's biggest stars
including Toby Keith, Martina McBride and Jason Aldean, Sara Evans,
Neal McCoy, Rodney Atkins, The Bellamy Brothers, Little Big Town, Clay
Walker and many, many more. Country Thunder is by far the funnest
and
most exciting country music festival in Arizona.
continued.....
$6.6
million raised at Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XVII.
Halle
Berry, Bob Parsons, Red McCombs and Cristie Kerr honored.
Performances
by Matchbox Twenty, Kelly Clarkson, American Idol's 2011 finalists,
Bret Michaels and more.
continued.....
The
53rd Annual Grammy Awards were help on February 13, 2011 at the Staples
Center in Los Angeles, CA. Here is the list of the Country
Music
Winners. continued.....
The
Judds performed their Last Encore Tour concert in Phoenix, Arizona on
December 19, 2010. With a wonderful talented band they performed
a 3
hour concert which included old and new songs, some spiritual songs and
a few Christmas songs. It was a total Christmas package. continued.....
Many
people attended the event and were entertained by Arizona performers
including Hans Olson, James Parks, Joe Bethancourt, Charles Lewis,
Alice Tatum, Los Guys, Mogollon, Herndon Brothers Band, Chuck E. Baby
and Whiskey Six. The event was MC'd by Bob Boze Bell, Marty Manning and
Jim West of KMLE Country Radio.
continued.....
Vince
Gill performed for nearly three hours at the Ikeda Theater in Mesa,
Arizona on October 19, 2010. Wow, does that man know how to
entertain.
With his 8 piece band, Gill rocked the house. Gill's voice was in
perfect form and he also looked great too.
continued.....
The
Charlie Daniels Band performed at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona
on August 29, 2010 to a packed house. Daniels didn't disappoint, he
performed all his big hits including Long Haired Country Boy, Simple
Man, The South's Gonna Do It Again, Drinkin' My Baby
Goodbye, The
Legend of Wooley Swamp, and of course, The Devil Went Down to
Georgia.
He also sang his newest hit "(What the World Needs Is) A few More
Rednecks. One of my favorite moments is when he sang Amazing
Grace. continued.....
Country
Music's legendary duo, The Judds, delivered a riveting performance for
over 10,000 fans in downtown Nashville as they launched this year's
2010 CMA Music Festival. Wynonna and Naomi Judd helped kick off what
USA Today calls "the crown jewel of Country Music festivals," setting
the stage for their highly anticipated final tour, The Judds: The Last
Encore. It has been over 10 years since their 2000 "Power To Change"
tour, and this final reunion promises to be nothing short of
spectacular.
continued.....
FLORENCE - Hollywood glitz, hillbilly chic and Texas twang made for
perfect bedfellows at the 2010 Country Thunder Festival at the
sprawling Canyon Moon Ranch April 14-17, 2010.......continued....
PHOENIX,
AZ. On Saturday, March 20, 2010 stars and athletes from around the
country converged on the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in
Phoenix, Arizona for Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XVI.
Grammy-award winning producer and American Idol judge Randy Jackson
made a special introduction of Muhammad Ali who celebrates his 50th
year on the world stage in 2010. continued....
Archive of Past Thanks For The Music Spotlights
(the links below will take you to our mirror site, just hit your back button to return here)
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Latest News - All the latest Country Music News, Announcements and Awards right here.
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Country Past & Present - Past and Present Legends of Country Music History
About Us - A special message from the President of Thanks For The Music.
Spotlight On Celebrity Fight Night In Phoenix, Arizona
Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XXIII Star-Studded Night Honored Harrison Ford And Stefano Ricci And Celebrated The Life And Legacy Of Muhammad Ali.
Performances By Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Colbie Caillat, Dennis Quaid, The Shadowboxers and more.
continued...
Past Thanks For The Music Spotlights
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