Tag Archives: Big Kenny

Martina McBride Celebrity Auction Raises Awareness and Support for a Worthy Cause

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(contributed by Hillary Evans and Kirby Smith)

Pockets ran deep at the 27th Annual Celebrity Auction for the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, June 13. Held on the CMA Music Festival’s Family Zone Stage, this year’s auction partnered with Martina McBride and raised over $100,000. Since 1983, the YWCA Celebrity Auction has raised $1.4 million to support the services of the YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Center.

A spirit of generosity prevailed throughout the event as one by one celebrities assisted in auctioning off items. Bo Bice kicked off the day enthusiastically as he paraded items in front of the items, encouraging higher bids. In one instance, he began to auction a four-person meet-and-greet at any of his concerts and an autographed to-do list and parking pass from his days as an “American Idol” contestant. But as guest emcee Storme Warren of GAC and Sirius Satellite Radio urged him to push the bid up to $1,000, he ended up adding the shirt off his back – autographed, of course – and a ring, given to him by a fan, from his finger. The winning fan, who Bice introduced as “Ms. Sue,” mirrored the charitable spirit when she gave back the ring to Bice, much to the crowd’s pleasure.

One notable sale involved framed and handwritten lyrics of Big & Rich’s “She’s a Butterfly,” autographed by Big Kenny, who personally auctioned the item. After pushing the bid to $11,000, he surprised the crowd by adding that another, identical copy was available too. Both sold for a combined sum of $22,000.

Long time McBride fans Paul, 52, and Ginny, 48, Thompson of Newbury, Mass., originally attended the auction for a chance to see their favorite star but left with a new found respect for another artist. “I never viewed Big Kenny the way I forever will now,” Paul said. “He’s a big personality and really used it to encourage people to spend a lot of money for a good cause.”

The Thompsons showed their support by acquiring a Martina McBride cutout and two meet-and-greets for a total of $3,100.

Other items in the auction included artist autographed CDs, photos, clothing, microphones, guitars and an autographed and framed Carrie Underwood CD, which went for $1,650. Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Martina McBride, who appeared at and co-sponsored the event along with Warren, the YWCA and CMA to sponsor the event.

“We believe in this cause,” said Jerry and Linda Keltner, both 60, from Louisville, Ky. Linda, who received the four-day CMA Fest passes for her birthday, also was hoping to see McBride. “Through the hardest times in my life, Martina McBride’s music has touched my heart like no other,” she said. “I would like to see her and meet her.”

For those who could not afford the higher-ticket items or who wanted to take home a souvenir, grab bags filled with Martina McBride T-shirts, CDs, headshots, key chains and other items were available for $20.

Traditional and New Country Connect on Riverfront Park Daytime Stage

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(contributed by Jodee Hammond)

Just when it seemed the weather could not get any hotter, the Riverfront Park Daytime Stage started smoking on Saturday, June 12, with performances by Big Kenny and Lorrie Morgan.

Although the fans savored every breeze, their focus was on the performances. “You all are so fun,”  Kenny said as they danced and clapped along to every song. “The more you clap, the cooler I get.” 

Kenny was determined for his audience to have a great time. “We always like to make sure everywhere we go that everybody feels the musical medicine,” he explained while encouraging everyone to turn to their neighbors to introduce themselves as he introduced songs from his album, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy.

The rock and roll farm boy music of Big Kenny turned pure Country with Lorrie Morgan. “She still has the voice and the following,” said Kris Nowicki, 45, from Acworth, Ga., who sat on the lawn and swayed to each of her songs.

Morgan’s performance also consisted of an array of songs from her latest album, I Walk Alone. “When I wrote this album, I wrote it from true life experiences, especially ones you ladies can relate to,” she said.

In addition to her new songs, Morgan’s rendition of the Webb Pierce/Wayne Walker tune “Leavin’ on Your Mind” was a crowd favorite. “The first love of my life was Country Music,” she affirmed, and that passion was still shining on the Riverfront Park Daytime Stage.

CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade: New Route, Debut Attractions, More Stars and Plenty of Excitement

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For five years, fans who didn’t want to wait for Thursday morning have begun the CMA Music Festival party one day early. The Festival’s Kick-Off Parade does that and more, with veteran and fast-rising new artists riding classic Chevy vehicles through the streets of Downtown Nashville.

This year, though, visitors can enjoy fresh perspectives on the action along a new route. From the corner of Second Avenue North and Church Street, the all-star procession winds two blocks past the restaurants and businesses that line Second Avenue and then turns right. From there, it rolls down Broadway toward an afternoon of great – and FREE – music at the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza.

Following right behind a huge inflatable musical note, signifying the start of the Parade, Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee leads the way as Grand Marshal. Dozens of artists follow in an array of vehicles supplied by Carl Black Chevrolet and members of the Nashville Corvette Club. The lineup this year includes Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bo Bice, Ash Bowers, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Diana DeGarmo, Fast Ryde, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, The Harters, Buddy Jewell, KingBilly, Jesse Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jerrod Niemann, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Point of Grace, Marty Raybon, Pam Tillis, Trent Tomlinson and Chuck Wicks (artists participating subject to change).

Many favorites from past parades are back this year, from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to the Nashville Sounds, Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans mascots. But new participants will join the fun too, among them the Pryme Tyme Athletics cheerleaders, young members of the Nashville Children’s Theater, the Color Guard and Honor Guard from the Metro Nashville Police Department and more. In total, there are approximately 20 more units in this year’s Parade than in 2009, according Parade Coordinator Dell Courtney.

“Part of our task was to increase the efficiency of how the parade moved down the street, by making sure everything was in the right order and to make sure our volunteers are properly informed of what needed to be done and when it needed to be done,” said Courtney, who owns VisionWorks, a Louisville-based company that specializes in planning major events such as parades, festivals and trade shows. “Then we added elements to make the parade a little different – for example, we have a very strong patriotic element this year – without taking away from what the fans come to see, the artists in Corvettes and Silverado trucks.”

The Chevy vehicles, the Big Kenny, Luke Bryan and Wrangler/George Strait trucks, the Music City Drum & Bugle Corps, the rowdy Nashville Rollergirls and ever-civilized Geico Gecko and all their parade-mates hit the road at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, June 9.