“KENNY ROGERS: ALL IN FOR THE GAMBLER,” A NEW STAR-STUDDED CONCERT SPECIAL HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR, TO BE BROADCAST THURSDAY, SEPT. 23 ON CBS

Performances by Chris Stapleton, Idina Menzel, Lady A, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town and Reba McEntire, Plus a Special Duet Featuring Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

The life and legacy of country music legend Kenny Rogers is honored in a new star-studded concert special, “Kenny Rogers: All In For The Gambler,” to be broadcast Thursday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Filmed at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville before Rogers’ untimely passing, the live concert features on-stage tributes, artists’ anecdotes and inspiring songs performed in front of the music icon himself, as he bid farewell to performing and announced his retirement.

Featured artists, including Chris Stapleton, Idina Menzel, Lady A, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town and Reba McEntire, sing some of Rogers’ greatest hits, such as “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “She Believes in Me,” “Through the Years,” “Lucille,” “We’ve Got Tonight” and more. In a special tribute, Rogers’ dear friend and longtime duet partner, global superstar Dolly Parton, takes the stage to share touching memories and anecdotes about Rogers, performing a series of songs that culminate in an emotional finale featuring Rogers himself.

“Kenny Rogers’ enormous impact on Country music was matched only by the love all the artists and fans showed Kenny on this incredible night. We are so thrilled to share this special with his friends, family and fans all around the world as he will remain forever in our hearts,” said Executive Producers Keith Wortman and Ken Levitan.

“Kenny Rogers: All In For The Gambler” is a production of Blackbird Presents. Keith Wortman is creator and executive producer, with Ken Levitan as an executive producer.

Photo Credit: Jay Fletcher

Courtesy of The Estate of Kenny Rogers

Lionel Richie to Mentor Winner of NSAI Song Contest

Songwriting Competition Kicks off August 1, 2012

(Nashville, Tennessee...) - Superstar singer/ songwriter Lionel Richie, whose Tuskegee album is the top-selling album in the first half of 2012, has signed on as the mentor for the grand prize winner of The Nashville Songwriter's Association International's popular NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT. The 13th annual competition kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 and runs through October 31, 2012. Aspiring songwriters in any genre are encouraged to send their best songs to be judged by a panel of experts in a variety of categories including the Lyric-Only category added last year.

The NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT has proven to be a powerful vehicle for aspiring songwriters to get discovered. Past winners have found success ranging from signing an artist development deal to securing a music publishing staff writer deal. This nationwide platform is for songwriters in all genres to submit their best tunes for consideration.

The contest offers one Grand Prize Winner, one CMT Listeners' Choice Winner, and one Lyric-Only winner. The Grand Prize winner will have an opportunity to spend one hour being mentored by songwriting and artist legend Lionel Richie. Additional prizes will include a single-song professional demo, tickets to the 2013 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, a private tour of CMT studios, a performance at The Bluebird Café, meetings with major music publishers and a one-year membership to NSAI, just to name a few. For more, visit nsai.cmt.com.

The entry fees are $35.00 (Current NSAI members) and $45.00 (Non-Members) per song submitted. Songwriters may submit as many songs as they would like, but the preceding fees apply to each song submitted. Entries will be accepted from August 1 until October 31, 2012 via SonicBids.com online submission platform. For details on submitting songs as well as the official prizes and rules & regulations go to www.nsai.cmt.com. Visit nashvillesongwriters.com, facebook.com/nsaiofficial and twitter.com/nsaiofficial for updates.


Proceeds benefit the NSAI Legislative Fund to protect the rights of songwriters.

VIDEO REWIND: LIONEL RICHIE AND BILLY CURRINGTON PERFORM "JUST FOR YOU" ON "THE TALK" (4/5/12)

If ya missed it or you just wanna watch it over and over again, check out Lionel Richie and Billy Currington performing "Just for You" from Lionel's brand new cd, "Tuskegee" on "The Talk" last Friday, April 5, 2012.

Tune in Tomorrow: Country's Taking Over Your Telly

Another big day for country music appearances on television. Be sure to check your local listings for specific times and channels in your area.

Lionel Richie with Billy Currington

 The Talk(CBS)

Montgomery Gentry

 The Better Show (syndicated) and TNA Impact Wrestling (SPIKE)

Kellie Pickler

 American Idol (FOX)

Rodney Atkins

Miami Marlins v. Cincinnati Reds (National Anthem) (ESPN 2). 

Lionel Richie Scores a #1 Country Debut CD With "Tuskegee"

Congratulations to Lionel Richie and the many country stars who are featured on his new cd, "Tuskegee" , which scored a #1 country debut with nearly 199,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Lionel Richie And Friends Adds New Artists to Lineup

Don't miss Lionel Richie And Friends: In Concert which has added new artists to the list of those already signed on to perform. New additions include Big & Rich doing "Brick House", Darius Rucker with "Stuck On You" and Marc Anthony performing "Endless Love" with Sara Evans. These new artists join the previously announced lineup of Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts and Kenny Rogers. The concert special will support ACM Lifting Lives and taped tonight (4/2) at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. The special will air on April 13 on CBS-TV. Check your local listings for times and channels in your area.

Photo credit: AllAccess.com

VIDEO REWIND: LIONEL RICHIE AND JASON ALDEAN PERFORM "SAY YOU, SAY ME" ON LETTERMAN

In case you missed it, Lionel Richie and Jason Aldean performed their new rendition of Lionel's hit song, "Say You, Say Me" from the brand new Lionel Richie cd, "Tuskegee" on Letterman. 

VIDEO REWIND: LIONEL RICHIE AND LITTLE BIG TOWN PERFORM "DEEP RIVER WOMAN" ON THE TODAY SHOW (TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012)

In case you missed this morning's performance of "Deep River Woman" by Lionel Richie and Little Big Town on The Today Show, now you can watch it whenever you want - great performance. Lionel's new cd, "Tuskegee" is wonderful!

VIDEO PREMIERE: "ENDLESS LOVE" LIONEL RICHIE AND SHANIA TWAIN

Talk about a timeless classic! Lionel Richie and Shania Twain bring back memories of days gone by with their take on the classic Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit, "Endless Love" from the 80's hit movie starring a brand new actress named Brooke Shields. As an added bonus, check out the behind the scenes of the recording that was featured on the OWN network which I've added right after the official video.

Tomorrow is a Big Day for Country Music Appearances on the Telly

Tomorrow is a country music lover's potpourri of artist appearances on television. 

Check your local listings for times/channels in your area!  

Toby Keith will be appearing on Chelsea Lately on the E network (this ought to be interesting!)

 

Lionel Richie and Little Big Town are kicking off your morning on the Today Show on NBC

 

Jason Aldean is performing on the Late Show With David Letterman on CBS

 

Dancing with the Stars will feature a performance by Sugarland with Matt Nathanson on ABC

Lionel Richie Adds More "Friends" to His Concert Lineup

 

LUKE BRYAN, SARA EVANS, TIM MCGRAW & JENNIFER NETTLES JOIN JASON ALDEAN, THE BAND PERRY, KENNY CHESNEY, LADY ANTEBELLUM, MARTINA McBRIDE, RASCAL FLATTS & KENNY ROGERS TO PERFORM

TELEVISION SPECIAL TO AIR FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012 ON CBS

Encino, CA (March 5, 2012) - The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced today that country music superstars Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and Jennifer Nettles have been added to the all-star lineup of artists scheduled to perform at the ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert taping Monday, April 2, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The special will air Friday, April 13, 2012 on the CBS Television Network.

ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert is a special concert event of country music collaborations with the legendary Lionel Richie, featuring duets from his upcoming album Tuskegee, out March 26, 2012, along with solo performances. Some of Richie’s greatest hits will be performed by today’s hottest country artists including Jason Aldean (“Say You Say Me”), The Band Perry (“Penny Lover”), Luke Bryan (“Running with the Night”), Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum (“Truly”), Martina McBride (“Still”), Jennifer Nettles (“Hello”) and Rascal Flatts (“Dancing on the Ceiling”). Duets with Richie include: “My Love” with Kenny Chesney, “Sail On” with Tim McGraw, “Lady” with Kenny Rogers, and more surprises to be announced.

"It has been so rewarding to have my songs embraced by country music artists," said Lionel Richie. "Since Conway Twitty recorded 'Three Times a Lady' and Kenny Rogers sang 'Lady,' I have been welcomed into the country music family with open arms. It's the ultimate compliment to have country artists record and perform songs that I've written. I've always felt right at home in country because I was raised just down the road from Nashville in Tuskegee, Alabama, where I was immersed in country, R&B, gospel and classical music. This show will be a homecoming and family reunion combined, and I'm so glad that viewers will be able to share these special moments with us. It will be a night that I will remember for the rest of my life."

Orly Adelson, president of dick clark productions and executive producer of the special said, “We're honored to bring together the industry's greatest artists with Lionel’s legendary sound for what will be a once in a lifetime concert.”

Tickets on Sale NOW at Ticketmaster.com for Taping of CBS Television Network Special at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, April 2, 2012

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

Upper Level Reserved Seating

US $102.00 - US $202.00

US $102.00 Ticket + US $16.45 Fees = US $118.45 

US $202.00 Ticket +US $19.70 Fees = US $221.70

Lower Level Reserved Seating

US $152.00 - US $202.00

US $152.00 Ticket + US $19.70 Fees = US $171.70

US $202.00 Ticket +US $19.70 Fees = US $221.70

Reserved Floor Seating

US $152.00 - US $202.00

US $152.00 Ticket + US $19.70 Fees = US $171.70 

US $202.00 Ticket +US $19.70 Fees = US $221.70

About ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert

The ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert special will feature country music collaborations with the legendary Lionel Richie featuring duets and solo performances with some of today’s most incredible country artists. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, April 2, 2012 at 7:30 PM PT, to air 9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT on Friday, April 13, 2012 on the CBS Television Network. Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers. Barry Adelman is producer, and Bob Bardo is the executive in charge of production. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. Ticket sales from the special will benefit ACM Lifting Lives. For more information, log onto www.ACMLiftingLives.org or www.ACMcountry.com or follow us on Twitter at @ACMawards for more immediate updates.