ICONIC ANTHEM “GOD BLESSED TEXAS” CELEBRATES 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH STAR-STUDDED TRIBUTE

Featured Artists Include: 

Randy Rogers, Casey Donahew, Josh Abbott, Aaron Watson, Rodney Crowell,  Kevin Fowler and Pat Green

Thirty years ago, on July 17, 1993, "God Blessed Texas" was released. The iconic anthem, which captured the hearts of millions, continues to resonate with audiences of all ages and holds a special place in the hearts of country music fans worldwide. A tribute version, which features an extraordinary collaboration of some of the most talented and revered artists that hail from the Lone Star State, have joined forces to pay homage to this legendary track. Randy Rogers, Casey Donahew, Josh Abbott, Aaron Watson, Rodney Crowell, Kevin Fowler and Pat Green each bring their own unique style, ensuring a fresh and exciting rendition of the beloved classic. "God Blessed Texas" was written by Porter Howell and Brady Seals and originally released by Little Texas. The song struck a chord with listeners and was able to immediately capture the essence of the Lone Star State with its infectious melodies and powerful lyrics. The new music is available Friday, July 14, for download and streaming and can be pre-saved here.

The song became an anthem for Texas pride and a symbol of unity. “This song made me proud to be from Texas," says Randy Rogers. "I discovered my love for country music right as this song was released and I watched the video a thousand times. So this is truly a full circle moment for me."

“Like many other Texans, this song is part of my DNA,” exclaimed Casey Donahew. “I wish I had written it. What an honor to be asked to collaborate on the new version. I have toured all 50 states and I can say one thing for certain, God definitely blessed TEXAS!”

“Bringing an all-star group of Texans together to celebrate 30 years of 'God Blessed Texas' is something pretty special,” proudly stated Executive Producer - Brandyn Steen.

"I was a musician in Dallas when "God Blessed Texas" was released, and I was immediately a fan. Over the years, I worked on shows that were with Little Texas, and I’m still a fan. So, it was an honor to be asked to play the guitar parts on this 30th-anniversary tribute," shared Mark Matejka (guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd).

“I've seen a lot of places; I've been around the world

I've seen some pretty faces, been with some beautiful girls

After all, I've witnessed, one thing still amazes me

Just like a miracle, you have to see to believe

'Cause God blessed Texas with His own hand

Brought down angels from the Promised Land

He gave them a place where they could dance

If you wanna see Heaven, brother, here's your chance

I've been sent to spread the message

'God blessed Texas'

First, he lit the sunshine, then He made the water deep

Then he gave us moonlight for all the world to see

Well, everybody knows that the Lord works in mysterious ways

He took a rest, then on the very next day

God blessed Texas with His own hand

Brought down angels from the Promised Land

Gave them a place where they could dance

If you wanna see Heaven, brother, here's your chance

Well, I've been sent to spread the message

'God blessed Texas'...”

The newly released version of “God Blessed Texas” was recorded at The ER Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Key people involved in the project included Brandyn Steen - Executive Director, mixed by Bart Busch and engineered by David Spielberg.

Studio musicians on the new project were Mark Matejka (lead and acoustic guitar), Duane Propes (bass), Corey Wright (drums) and Dane Bryant (keys).

VIDEO PREMIERE: "THAT GIRL" KEVIN FOWLER

New Clip Highlighted in CMT Big New Music Weekend

(Nashville, Tennessee...) - Average Joe's Entertainment artist Kevin Fowler was recently in Nashville to shoot a music video for his national release "That Girl," and the clip premiered exclusively on CMT as part of the channel's "Big New Music Weekend" on Friday, October 14, 2011.

Potsy Ponciroli (l.) and Kevin Fowler (r.)

Kevin's "That Girl" single, from his sixth studio album Chippin' Away, recently shipped to country radio stations across the nation. His "That Girl" clip was shot on a farm outside Nashville, and it was directed by Potsy Ponciroli and produced by Ryan Zacarias for Team Genius Productions. The single follows his rousing "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer" release, which spent six weeks atop the Texas Music Chart.

The CMT Big New Music Weekend event, which includes the premiere of eight new music videos, kicks off at 6:00 a.m. ET/PT and continues through music hours all weekend long. As the only videos featured throughout regularly scheduled music hours, the eight Big New Music Weekend artists will garner more than 12 hours of airplay. These premieres also give the artists an opportunity to personally introduce their video to fans each time it airs. In addition, CMT.com will highlight each of the videos on its homepage.

Kevin will be in Nashville on Sunday, October 16 to perform at Dierks Bentley's sixth annual Miles & Music for Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and benefit concert at Riverfront Park. Proceeds from the Nashville event will go to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a Children's Miracle Network Hospital.

Tour dates, webisodes, news and more can be found at www.KevinFowler.com.

SIXTH ALBUM FOR KEVIN FOWLER IN STORES TODAY

"Hell Yeah, I Like Beer" Four Weeks at #1

(Nashville, Tennessee...) - Average Joe's Entertainment artist Kevin Fowler today sees his sixth studio album, Chippin' Away, hit stores, as his eighth #1 single, "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer," spends its fourth week atop the Texas Music Chart.

Early reviews on the album point to another rousing success for the native Texan. GACtv.com notes, "With a quick tongue and a voice that sounds like an old country highway meeting between Randy Rogers and John Mellencamp, Chippin' Away offers 11 songs about beer, women, a little more beer, and a few simple pleasures all mixed together with a heavy dose of honky tonk."

A glowing review on Rhapsody, where the album is featured on the site's home page, says, "In a year already filled with a bounty of decent country releases, Chippin' Away, is one of the best to date," and the Dallas Morning News reviewed, "There's no mistaking Kevin Fowler. He is perhaps the most distinctly defined of the newer breed of Texas country singer-songwriters."

Chippin' Away is also featured not once but twice on the country page in iTunes, where it is already a Top 5 seller. The cd has first slot in New & Noteworthy as well as one of the primary spots in the Texas Country section. The cd is also featured on the Napster country page. An entertaining series of weekly Webisodes began this week, detailing Kevin's live at home and on the road. The first installment is available to view here.

Kevin had a hand in writing eight of the 11 cuts on Chippin' Away. His follow-up single, "That Girl," will be released to country radio this month. Kevin and his band are currently on tour throughout Texas and surrounding states, and stops this week include dates in Beaumont, Spring and Harker Heights, Texas. Additional dates, Webisodes, news and more can be found at www.KevinFowler.com.

www.AverageJoesEnt.com

KEVIN FOWLER RACKS UP HIS 8th #1 SINGLE

Campbell Entertainment Group For Official Release June 20, 2011 "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer" Tops CMT.com and Texas Music Chart

(Nashville, Tennessee...) - Average Joe's Entertainment artist Kevin Fowler racked up his 8th #1 single when his "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer" cut topped the Texas Music Chart this week. The second track on his upcoming Chippin' Away album, the song quickly became a favorite in clubs and dance halls across the Lone Star State and beyond. "What more can I say? If you know me, you know that this song is definitely autobiographical," said an elated Fowler, who wrote the song with David Lee Murphy and Shane Minor. "I do love beer. And what would any Kevin Fowler record be without a good ol' beer drinkin' song?" The corresponding music video, which Kevin himself directed, also quickly become the most viewed video on all of CMT's website, hitting #1 and is plantedon the website's "Today's Top Videos" section. The clip includes cameo appearances by Boston Red Sox pitchers Josh Beckett (World Series MVP), Clay Buchholz, John Lackey and Roberto Clemente Award winner Tim Wakefield, fellow artists, Ray Benson, Dierks Bentley, Eli Young Band, Colt Ford, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Sunny Sweeny, actor/comedian Rodney Carrington, four-time World Champion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman, and a host of others...and a lot of beer, of course. Chippin' Away, Kevin's sixth studio album,will hit stores August 9, 2011. He had a hand in writing eight of the 11 cuts on the new cd. His follow-up single, "That Girl," will be released to country radio across the nation next month. Four pre-sale packages are currently available at www.KevinFowler.com. Kevin and his band are currently on tour throughout Texas and surrounding states, and tour dates, news and more can be found at www.KevinFowler.com