HELPING A HERO: COUNTRY STARS STEP UP FOR THOSE WHO STEPPED UP FOR US

Last night, I watched a telethon. I haven't watched a telethon in years and when I say years, I mean "Jerry Lewis Easter Seals" years. I was told by a publicist about the "Helping A Hero" telethon that was being televised on RFD-TV on December 27 and hosted by Lee Greenwood and Paula Deen. When I saw where this money was going and who was stepping in to be a part of this salute, I knew I would tuned in. I am so glad I did. It opened my eyes to a much larger picture than the one I'd been paying attention to.

"Helping a Hero" is a non-profit organization that provides specially adapted homes for severely wounded Global War on Terror veterans. Honestly, I have never really considered the challenges these heroes face living in their own homes after being injured. I think most of us tend to think they'll have medical home care, but we rarely probably think of what they need just to function and get around at home. Lee Greenwood mentioned a particular case of someone being burned needing a special kind of heating and air system because they no longer have sweat glands. I've never thought of that and when he said that, I wondered how many other things I had been blind to without these kinds of organizations. It can range from something such as an entire home remodel with wheelchair ramps, lowered drawers, cabinets and countertops, roll under access, carpet free floors, roll in showers, therapy tubs and automated doors to something as simple as a special kind of doorbell. Their needs are something we take for granted every day.  It's a sad thing to think how many of these wonderful people who gave everything are now in situations where they are unable to live a life as close to normal as possible or even worse, they are homeless on the streets. That's not acceptable. 

Last night again proved to me why I choose to support the country music genre, because these people are always at the ready to do what is necessary to help when they're called. I sat and thought about it and can't think of another genre that answers the call as regularly and genuinely as country music does. From flood relief, to hurricane relief, to St. Judes Children's Hospital, to our military ... the list continuously rolls on. It makes me proud to stand with a genre who stands for something other than just ticket sales and chart numbers. 

The performers on this show were all familiar faces when it comes to giving back and they're never ones to turn down the chance to help someone in need. Last night was no different, they stepped up and participated as a family in one of the best nights of music I've heard in a long time. The performances were filmed at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL in October as part of the All Star Salute to Lee Greenwood for his years of contribution to not only country music but to those who stand up for America. 

Below are the performances shown on last night's telethon:

Lee Greenwood  - Lee opened the show with an emotional rendition of "God Bless the USA". What can you say about this man and this song? You can't think Lee Greenwood and not immediately think gratitude. I could type all day and still not say the words that need to be said so I'll just go with with 2 small words with huge meaning, thank you.

The Frontmen - How can you go wrong with 3 of the most iconic voices of 90's country? You can't. I love that Tim Rushlow (Little Texas), Richie McDonald (Lonestar) and Larry Stewart (Restless Heart) decided to come together as a group and keep the good music going. They sang a medley of "Why Does It Have to Be Wrong or Right", I'm Already There" and "God Blessed Texas" ... well, God definitely blessed the Frontmen.

The Oak Ridge Boys performed their MEGA hit "Elvira" ... it's a proven fact that everyone needs some oom papa mow mow in their lives. This was my favorite when I got the "Fancy Free" album for Christmas in 1981 and it's my favorite now. I will oom papa mow mow at stoplights, in the grocery store, wherever this song comes on. These four men are four of the biggest, most giving hearts in the music industry. They are not just legends, they are treasures.

The Gatlin Brothers performed one of my favorites, well probably everybody's favorite, "All the Gold in California" and I think I smiled the entire time I was singing along very off key. I sang it in my dang head all night. I love these dudes! Those voices are still just as good as the first time I heard them. 

Darryl Worley performed his emotional remembrance of September 11, "Have You Forgotten" and made me cry, dang it. What a great performance straight from the heart by just a man and his guitar. Darryl is always one of the first to lend his heart to anything involving giving back to those who gave it all.

Crystal Gayle hit me in the gut with "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". This was one of my daddy's favorite songs when I was growing up and we'd sing it in the car. It was like being back in that red Pontiac Grandville all over again.

Debby Boone took me back to the best time of my life with her hit "You Light Up My Life." I was growing up in the 70's and would sit by my record player, singing this song and then picking up the needle and putting it back down to start over again ... over and over. I still listen to this song regularly now. It always takes me to a good place.

John Conlee performed "They Also Serve", one I'd never heard before and it really left a mark. I immediately added it to my music collection. I admit, I was somewhat misty.

Home Free - I have been a fan of this group since they were on  "The Sing Off". These guys floor me every time they open their mouths whether it be together or individually. They performed their acapella version of "My Country Tis of Thee" and it was phenomenal. Again, there was a bit of eye mist.

And to close the show, there was a special finale jam of "Soul Man" by the original jam master himself, Sam Moore, and the amazing T. Graham Brown with special guests Janie Fricke, Michael Ray, Lee Brice, Tim Rushlow and Darryl Worley. It just capped off the perfect night of freedom and music.

Thank you to RFD-TV, the Cowboy Channel and OAN for airing this telethon and thank you to all who came together to make it happen. Please consider donating to this wonderful cause. They deserve our respect, love and assistance. Go to https://helpingahero.org for information on how you can help or donate.

In case you missed the airing of the telethon, you can still watch it here.

T. GRAHAM BROWN HOST OF 'LIVE WIRE" WELCOMES JANIE FRICKE AS SPECIAL GUEST ON SIRIUS XM'S PRIME COUNTRY CHANNEL 58 STARTING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 AT 10:00PM ET

Additional airings in November to feature live cuts from artists including Diamond Rio, Gene Watson, Restless Heart, Gregg Allman along with an exclusive interview with 

Janie Fricke

Starting Wednesday, November 3 at 10/9c PM, country hit-maker T. Graham Brown will be back to feature special live cuts & interviews with some of his closest friends and heroes on new episodes of LIVE WIRE on Sirius XM’S Prime Country Channel 58. Tune in to November’s episodes to hear never-before-heard stories shared by your favorite names in entertainment, as well as a memorable interview with the ever-talented country music legend Janie Fricke!

“This will be an exciting month on LIVE WIRE!” shares Brown. “I’ll be joined for a great conversation by two-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Janie Fricke, along with a great group of friends and some of your favorite names in entertainment including Diamond Rio, Gene Watson, Restless Heart, and Gregg Allman. You’ll even get to hear some of my own music! Don’t miss it!”

November’s continued airings will include live cuts from country artists and bands including Diamond Rio, Gene Watson, Restless Heart, and some rhythm and blues flair from Gregg Allman. A special interview and live cuts from Janie Fricke will also be featured as part of the month’s episodes. LIVE WIRE is also available on-demand worldwide with the SiriusXM app and Pandora NOW with a standard SiriusXM subscription.

How subscribers can listen:

SiriusXM subscribers are able to listen on SiriusXM radios, and those with streaming access can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM mobile app, and at home on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, devices with Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more. Go to siriusxm.com/streaming to learn more.

Additional airings in November include:

Thursday, November 4 @ 1 am and 3 pm ET

Tuesday, November 9 @ 12 am and 11 pm ET

Thursday, November 11 @ 3 am ET

Sunday, November 14 @ 11 am ET

Monday, November 22 @ 12 pm ET

T. Graham Brown Upcoming Tour Dates:

NOV 02 - 3rd & Lindsley / Nashville, TN

NOV 07 - Reif Center / Grand Rapids, MN

(Kornfield Friends featuring Hee Haw Cast Members with Special Guest, T. Graham Brown)

NOV 12 - LuCille Tack Center / Spencer, WI

(Kornfield Friends featuring Hee Haw Cast Members with Special Guest, T. Graham Brown)

NOV 13 - Washington High School / Washington, IN

(Kornfield Friends featuring Hee Haw Cast Members with Special Guest, T. Graham Brown)

NOV 19 - 2920 Roadhouse / Hockley. TX

NOV 20 - Granbury Live / Granbury, TX 

(Kornfield Friends featuring Hee Haw Cast Members with Special Guest, T. Graham Brown)

NOV 30 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 01 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 03 - Sugar Creek Casino / Hinton, Okla. 

(Kornfield Friends featuring Hee Haw Cast Members with Special Guest, T. Graham Brown)

DEC 07 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 08 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 09 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 11 - Walhalla Performing Arts Center / Walhalla, SC

DEC 13 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 14 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 15 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 17 - Alto Lake Country Club / Alto, NM

DEC 18 - Cree Meadows Country Club / Ruidoso, NM

DEC 19 - The Egyptian Theatre / Boise, ID

DEC 21 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 22 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

DEC 23 - Donoho Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, TN

For T. Graham Brown's most updated concert calendar visit tgrahambrown.com.

JOHNNY LEE, COLLIN RAYE, CHARLEY PRIDE, JANIE FRICKE, MARK CHESNUTT SET FOR DECEMBER EPISODES OF "REFLECTIONS"

Country legends will light up “Reflections” in December during the weekly half-hour interview show featuring Johnny Lee, Collin Raye, Charley Pride, Janie Fricke and Mark Chesnutt. “Reflections” airs on The Heartland Network Thursdays 8/7c (6 p.m. CST on WLLC 42.4 in Nashville) and Saturdays 4/3c. Click here to find your local channel. “Reflections” is hosted by Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame member Keith Bilbrey. Viewers can also tune in to Angel Two/DISH Network, The Family Channel or AMG TV.

“REFLECTIONS” TUNE-IN:
Johnny Lee - Dec. 1 and Dec. 3
Collin Raye - Dec. 7 and Dec 10
Charley Pride - Dec. 15 and Dec. 17
Janie Fricke - Dec. 22 and Dec. 24
Mark Chesnutt - Dec. 29 and Dec. 31

Johnny Lee opens up about his first studio album in 10 years, You Ain’t Never Been To Texas, and gives fans an in-depth look at his illustrious career. Lee, known for his dynamic stage presence and smash No. 1 crossover hit "Lookin' for Love," chats with Bilbrey about recording new music, touring nearly every weekend and getting his big break when he worked with Mickey Gilley, both on tour and at Gilley’s Club. "Lookin' for Love," the soundtrack from the 1980 hit movie Urban Cowboy, which was largely shot at Gilley's, catapulted Lee to fame. The smash hit became a crossover hit spending three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart while also appearing in the Top 5 on the Billboard Pop chart and Top 10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.

Bilbrey’s sit-down with Collin Raye includes captivating stories about his more than 25-year career. Raye chats about the timeless No. 1 hit “Love, Me,” that catapulted him in the 1990s and opens up about building a career on songs with an emotional connection to listeners, like “Little Rock,” which led to more than 100,000 calls to Alcoholics Anonymous from people seeking help for their addictions. The song and video for “I Think About You” exposed the exploitation of women and children, earning Raye the award for “Video of the Year” from the Academy of Country Music in 1997.

During the Dec. 15 episode, Bilbrey sits downs with Country Music Hall of Famer Charley Pride and discusses his early life as one of 11 children, picking cotton in the fields of the Mississippi Delta, as well as his introduction to music, the songs that inspired him, and his first guitar. Bilbrey also chats with Pride about his 50th anniversary as a recording artist who's enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the history of country music and is credited with helping to break color barriers by becoming the first African-American to become a force within the genre. A three-time Grammy Award winner, Pride has garnered no less than 36 chart-topping country hits, including Kiss An Angel Good Morning, a massive No. 1 crossover hit that sold over a million singles and helped Pride land the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1971 and the Top Male Vocalist awards of 1971 and 1972. A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry, Pride continues to perform concerts worldwide and has toured the United States, Canada, Ireland, The United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand over the last several years.

Bilbrey spends the Dec. 22 episode with two-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Janie Fricke, who’s hit the No. 1 spot on the country charts an astounding 18 times. Bilbrey discusses how Fricke was the First Female Voice on the Moon to reaching Gold and Platinum sales status worldwide. Fricke also chats about how her upbringing in Indiana shaped her career to begin recording numerous jingles for Coca-Cola, Pizza Hut and United Airlines. Janie has released 23 albums and 36 hit singles, and she remains one of the most-beloved entertainers in the country field.

In the Dec. 29 episode, Bilbrey sits down with Mark Chesnutt who continues keeping traditional-minded classic country music alive with Tradition Lives, his first album of all-new material in eight years. Chesnutt also chats about his run up the charts in 1990 with “Too Cold At Home,” and blockbuster 90s favorites such as “Brother Jukebox,” “Let It Rain,” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” Along the way, he has earned one Gold album and four Platinum albums.

“Reflections” is filmed at The Hot Seat Studios, located in Hermitage, Tennessee, and is produced by Jeff Moseley and Brian Covert of CJM Productions. Each week, Keith Bilbrey leads one-on-one insightful interviews with country music's legendary artists.

"GREAT COUNTRY MOMENTS" FEATURING COUNTRY LEGENDS CHARLEY PRIDE, COLLIN RAYE, BELLAMY BROTHERS AND MORE IN OCTOBER

Country Music Roots Run Deep With Springer Mountain Farms® Chicken in October Featuring Charley Pride, Confederate Railroad, Johnny Lee, John Conlee, Bellamy Brothers, Collin Raye, Janie Fricke, Joey Canyon, Ronnie McDowell and Rex Allen Jr.

The month of October brings new books, childhood memories, and some great Springer Mountain Farms® chicken recipes from featured artists on Great Country Moments. September episodes will feature Charley Pride, Confederate Railroad, Johnny Lee, John Conlee, Bellamy Brothers, Collin Raye, Janie Fricke, Joey Canyon, Ronnie McDowell and Rex Allen Jr. Fans can access Great Country Moments content online at www.greatcountrymoments.com.

Through the one-of-a-kind story segments, the featured country stars will take viewers through some of the best times of their career and reveal emotional, exciting, and memorable moments that fans have never heard first-hand. Along with the videos will be trivia questions that viewers can answer to enter a contest to win a variety of prizes. A grand prize of a free FREEZER FULL OF CHICKEN will be given away to one lucky winner who participates in the trivia contest.

"Springer Mountain Farms® enjoys many wonderful partnerships with the country music community. Great Country Moments is another great outlet to feature some of country music's finest with an added bonus, their favorite chicken recipe! We have created a living cookbook that fans and Springer Mountain Farms® chicken lovers can follow along with. I can't wait to try the recipes out in my kitchen!" said Gus Arrendale, President of Springer Mountain Farms®.

The “Great Country Moments” series features a new video being released each week. The recipe segments will reveal the artist’s favorite homemade recipes using Springer Mountain Farms® chicken, along with a written recipe that will be available to viewers. Some of the stars featured in the series include Johnny Lee, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, Ronnie McDowell, Jeannie Seely, Deborah Allen, Jimmy Fortune and many more.

October Episodes of Great Country Moments

Monday, October 3

Charley Pride: Southwest White Chicken Chili Recipe
Collin Raye: 25 Years Moment

Monday, October 10

Danny Shirley: Misty’s Chicken Recipe
Janie Fricke: Working With Other Artists Moment

Monday, October 17

Johnny Lee: Drunk Chicken Recipe
Joey Canyon: Rhythm Of Living And The TV Show Moment

Monday, October 24

John Conlee: Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Ronnie McDowell: Writing The Book Moment

Monday, October 31

Bellamy Brothers: Almost Hot Unfried Chicken Recipe
Rex Allen Jr: Growing Up In The Industry Moment

TANYA TUCKER, OAK RIDGE BOYS, MARK WILLS AND MORE HEADLINE 'STARS BEHIND THE STARS' TO SUPPORT DALLAS POLICE ASSOCIATION’S ASSIST THE OFFICER FOUNDATION JULY 27 AT WORLD-FAMOUS BILLY BOB’S TEXAS

EDITORIAL NOTE:  THIS IS WHY I SUPPORT AND LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC,  ALWAYS GIVING BACK AND DOING WHAT'S RIGHT ... Jenn

Country music superstars didn’t hesitate to come together for #STARSBEHINDTHESTARS to support the families of slain Dallas police officers. In light of the tragedy, more than fifteen artists, including 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 travel from Nashville and beyond to perform during a benefit concert at the world-famous Billy Bob’s Texas Wednesday, July 27. Randy Travis will also make a special appearance during the event.

Tickets ($10 General Admission, $20 Reserve) are on sale now HERE.

#STARSBEHINDTHESTARS will donate 100% of all proceeds to Dallas Police Association’s Assist the Officer Foundation. The Assist the Officer Foundation provides immediate financial assistance to an officer’s family in the event of the death of an active officer. #backtheblue #ATODallas

MARK WILLS, SYLVIA, JANIE FRICKE, HIGHWAY 101, MOE BANDY, NELSON, AND MORE TO APPEAR DURING INAUGURAL SEASON OF 'THE JOEY CANYON SHOW'

Traditional Country singer-songwriter Joey Canyon has just announced the line-up for the first season of his new weekly RFD-TV series The Joey Canyon Show, and the 40 year Colorado native has put together a list of artists that represent the best in the Country Music format.

“When I decided I wanted to do The Joey Canyon Show in my hometown of Denver, I was concerned that artists from Nashville and other places may not choose to come here, how wrong I was,” the singer said. “Every special guest I had on the show was very happy to be in Colorado and was very impressed with the set, the band and how well they were treated, they all were first class as you would expect from traditional country artists!”

The 30-minute series will premiere on January 8, airing each Friday evening at 10pm Eastern / 9pm Central. The first guest will be hit-maker Mark Wills, known for hit singles as “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Wish You Were Here,” and the 2003 number one single “Nineteen Something.” Among the highlights of season one includes an appearance from legendary crooner T.G. Sheppard, 90s Rock duo Nelson, and 1980s hit-maker Sylvia – in the first national TV performance for the ACM-Award winner in many years.

A listing of the musical guests each week includes:

January 8: Mark Wills
January 15: T.G. Sheppard
January 22: Nelson
January 29: Sylvia
February 5: T. Graham Brown
February 12: Janie Fricke
February 19: Rex Allen, Jr.
February 26: Highway 101
March 4: Moe Bandy
March 11: Irlene Mandrell
March 18: John McEuen
March 25: Jennifer McCarter
April 1: Wynn Varble

Counting among his musical influences such artists as Vern Gosdin, Marty Robbins, and Waylon Jennings, Joey Canyon’s music definitely features a traditional-sounding lean. He has performed on such hallowed stage as the ACM-winning Palomino Club. His production work has graced broadcasts from NFL Films and PBS, and he has been presented a citation from the Governor of his home state for writing “Save Our Colorado,” an anti-pollution song. His current album is titled The Rhythm Of Livin.’

For more information on Joey Canyon, as well as The Joey Canyon Show, visit www.JoeyCanyon.com

JANIE FRICKE TURNS PASSION INTO SECOND CAREER

Janie Fricke Collection available at JanieFrickeCollection.com

DALLAS, TX (July 2, 2015) – Janie Fricke, a two-time “CMA Female Vocalist of the Year,” past Grammy nominee, and a voice of some of the most recognizable advertising jingles ever, has yet another passion, textiles and fabrics.

The Janie Fricke Collection is a line of fine home accents, whose fabrics are personally selected and cut by Janie herself to create one of a kind designs. Janie has turned her life-long knowledge of fabric and sewing skills, a family tradition, into the Janie Fricke Collection. This specialized high end brand of products includes decorative pillows, throws, table runners, seasonal items as well as a line of customized “bling” items that she terms “ranch chic.”

“My mother and grandmother sewed so I've been doing this since I was very young,” says Fricke. “They never really taught me but I just watched and started to pick up on it, and have always made my own designs. I've made things for friends and family for years but someone pushed me to start my own collection and it’s turned into a second career.”

JFC is carried in specialty boutiques around the country and is showcased in the Dallas, TX showroom Touch of France, located in the prestigious Dallas World Trade Center. Items are available at JanieFricke.com for retail and wholesale market buyers. With the popularity of her line, Janie has recently launched janiefrickecollection.com specifically for professional interior designers highlighting her products and fabrics.

“Touch of France has been a great place to showcase my goods, especially during the Dallas Total Home and Gift Market which begins June 24, 2015. Buyers from all parts of the country converge in Dallas to purchase goods to supply major retail outlets. I am constantly working juggling my music career and working on this line of home goods,” continued Fricke. “I've always been a performer so building this whole other business on top of that has been a challenge but it’s great to share my other creative outlet.”

Raised on a farm in Indiana, Fricke began singing in church, and later turned that talent into a career which began as one of the marketing industry's most successful jingle singers. Long before her success as a country artist, millions of people became familiar with Fricke’s voice through ads for United Airlines, Coca-Cola, 7-Up, and Red Lobster. She soon became a session singer where she was singing background in the studio with some of the biggest country stars of the late 70’s and early 80’s, including Loretta Lynn, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, and Mel Tillis.

After a string of duets with such greats as Merle Haggard and Moe Bandy, Fricke landed a solo recording contract in the early 80’s and scored several hit singles, including “Don't Worry 'Bout Me Baby,” “He's a Heartache” and “You're Heart's Not In It.” She won CMA’s coveted “Female Vocalist of the Year” in 1983 and ’84 and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards. She has been credited with over 1,600 album projects and scored 36 hit singles.

JANIE FRICKE SET FOR PBS’s “SONG OF THE MOUNTAINS” JUNE 2

CMA and ACM “Female Vocalist of the Year” Returns to CMA Music Festival

Nashville, Tenn. (May 28, 2012) – On June 2, Janie Fricke with bluegrass duo The Roys, will headline “Song of the Mountains” at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia. The show’s host, Tim White, and his band the VW Boys will join Janie with their special brand of music, magic and comedy. The following week, Janie will return to CMA Music Festival in Nashville for performances and signings on June 7-8 at various places including, the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, Nashville Palace and the WSM Acoustic Stage.

Janie Fricke will share her bluegrass tunes from her current album,Country Side of Bluegrass, on the Telly Award-winning television series, “Song of the Mountains.” The concert is held in front of a live studio audience and videotaped for the television series which is seen on over 190 public television affiliates throughout the country. “Song of the Mountains” features the best talents in bluegrass, old-time, Celtic and Americana music.

On June 7, Janie returns to Nashville for CMA Music Festival 2012. She recently commented on returning to the annual festival, “It’s going to be so much fun and so exciting to be a part of CMA Music Fest. For years it was called Fan Fair, and we looked forward to meeting everyone. Now it has grown so much and I’m still excited to be invited to sing a few songs, meet the fans and sign some autographs. I’m thankful for my blessings and ready to enjoy a great week!”

At 2 p.m. (6/7), Janie will join Moe Bandy, T. Graham Brown and Gene Watson for the “Classic Country Show” on the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza. Immediately following, she will greet fans and sign autographs in the Bridgestone Arena gift shop. At 4 p.m., Janie and The Roys will perform and sign autographs at Ernest Tubb Record Shop downtown. Later that evening, she will perform a few songs with Moe Bandy at the Moore & Moore Fan Club Party at The Nashville Palace.

The following day (6/8), Janie and The Roys will be featured at WSM’s Acoustic Corner in the Nashville Convention Center at 12 p.m. Fans can hear them live at WSM 650 AM and wsmonline.com. Immediately afterwards, she will sign autographs at the WSM Booth in Fan Fair Hall at the convention center. Then they are off once again to Ernest Tubb Record Shop downtown to perform and sign autographs from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

For a list of upcoming tour dates and further information on Janie Fricke, please visit www.janiefricke.com.

Janie Fricke Reinvents Well-Known Hits on Country Side of Bluegrass

New Album Due Out January 24

The award-winning incomparable Janie Fricke is putting a bluegrass spin on several of her well-known hits with her latest album Country Side of Bluegrass to be released January 24, 2012.

In a partnership with New Music Deals, Janie’s album will be available for purchase through Ernest Tubb Record Shops, at shows and on www.janiefricke.com starting in January 2012. Fans can stop by Janie’s website now to Pre-Order the album before the January release date.

America became aware of Janie Fricke’s voice when she was heard throughout the nation singing jingles for United Airlines, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, and Red Lobster among others. She soon became a background vocalist on albums for musical legends such as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, Mel Tillis, Johnny Duncan, and Elvis Presley. It wasn’t until 1977 that fans and industry alike took notice of Fricke as a solo artist. People were asking who sang the line "Shut out the light and lead me..." in Johnny Duncan’s chart topping single “Stranger” and began recognizing her voice in duets with legends Merle Haggard and Moe Bandy among others.

Fricke’s career took off in the 1980’s when America truly fell in love with her ballads and Pop-Country style of singing. Throughout her career she has released 23 albums which generated 36 singles, 18 of which hitting #1 status. Her awards include two-time Country Music Association “Female Vocalist of the Year,” the Academy of Country Music “Top Country Female Vocalist of the Year,” The Cash Box Magazine “Top Country Female Vocalist” and several others. Her Grammy nominations include “Best Female Country Performance and “Best Duet Performance.”

Never one to rest for long Fricke was approached with the idea of going into the studio and reworking a bluegrass version of several of her well-known hits. “So I came to Nashville, and they put the bluegrass pickers together. It was so much fun for me. It’s a real departure from what I'm used to, because I'm used to the basic standard country versions. So it was quite a challenge,” said Fricke. “Some of the songs were so far out there that I wasn't sure if I could do it or not, because they were so far from the country version.”

Country Side of Bluegrass includes a much more up tempo version of the popular ballad “You Don’t Know Love,” and “Tell Me a Lie,” originally a country heartbreaker. Fans will be excited to hear the new version of her first #1 single “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby,” and “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy,” the top song of her career in Fricke’s eyes. The album also includes classics such as Grand Ole Opry favorite “Please Help Me I’m Falling in Love with You,” “Faithless Love” and the Johnny Cash smash-hit “Ring of Fire.”

Track List:

“You Don’t Know Love”
“Goodbye Broken Heart”
“Do Me With Love”
“Faithless Love”
“He’s A Heartache”
“Please Help Me, I’m Falling” (In Love With You)
“She’s Single Again”
“Ill Need Someone To Hold Me” (When I Cry)
“Down To My Last Broken Heart”
“Tell Me A Lie”
“It Ain’t Easy Bein Easy”
“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby”
“Ring of Fire” (Bonus Track)

Fricke is excited to promote and share Country Side of Bluegrass with fans and will hit the road in November with Two-Time Inspirational Country Music Awards “Duo of The Year” The Roys. They will continue touring and sharing their music well into 2012.

For more information on Janie Fricke please visit www.janiefricke.com

Look for Janie Fricke and The Roys out on the road:

11/12/11 Central Square Glenwood, MN
2/3/12 Casino Regina Regina Saskatchewan
2/15/12 Florida State Fair Tampa, FL
3/10/12 Cactus Petes Gala Showroom Jackpot, NV
3/24/12 The Strand Theater Wheeling, WV
5/5/12 Mooney Hollow Barn Green Island, IA
6/16/12 Crystal Grand Theater Wisconsin Dells, WI
9/22/12 Renfro Valley Entertainment Center Renfro Valley, KY
10/27/12 God & Country Theater Branson, MO