TRACE ADKINS AND NASCAR SUPERSTAR DANICA PATRICK TO CO-HOST “AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS,” AIRING LIVE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 ON FOX

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TRACE ADKINS AND NASCAR SUPERSTAR DANICA PATRICK TO CO-HOST  “AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS,” AIRING LIVE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 ON FOX

Adkins Will Perform Music from his Celtic-Infused Christmas Album

Multi-platinum recording artist Trace Adkins and NASCAR superstar Danica Patrick will co-host the fourth annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, airing live from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Tuesday, Dec. 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. This is Adkins’ fourth time serving as a host of the annual awards show, which gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists in categories such as artists, albums, singles, videos and touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has. Nominees, performers and presenters to be announced.

“I can’t wait to see if I have what it takes to keep up with this racing superstar,” said Adkins.

“I’m so excited to host the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS with Trace Adkins,” Patrick said. “I have no doubt he’ll be able to keep up with me. I’ve become a huge fan of country music since I came to NASCAR and have been fortunate to be in videos with Miranda Lambert and Colt Ford. This is going to be a really cool experience and I’m excited to be a part of it. It’s going to be a great show!”

In addition to his hosting duties, Adkins will be joined by legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff and other guests for a special performance of “Carol of the Drum” (otherwise known as “Little Drummer Boy”). The song is featured on Adkins’ recently announced Celtic-infused Christmas album, “The King’s Gift.”

The third annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, co-hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, featured performances by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kip Moore, Jake Owen and Rascal Flatts, as well as by Adkins and Chenoweth. The special also featured appearances by Lauren Alaina, Natasha Bedingfield, champion cowboy Trevor Brazile, Lee Brice, Lindsey Buckingham, Carmen Electra, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Gloriana, Casey James, Jana Kramer, Miranda Lambert, Love and Theft, Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery, Penn & Teller, LeAnn Rimes, the San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Belt and Barry Zito, Ron White and Chris Young.

With his trademark baritone and wry sense of humor, Trace Adkins is one of country music’s most accomplished entertainers. With total sales surpassing 10 million albums, a long list of hit singles and platinum albums, he is also a television personality, actor and author. A Grammy Award nominee and member of the Grand Ole Opry, Adkins will release his Christmas album of Celtic-infused carols, “The King’s Gift,” on October 29, 2013, then embark on The Christmas Show Tour, a theatrical musical production for the whole family, in theaters this holiday season. This will be Adkins’ fourth time hosting the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS.

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“AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS” CO-HOSTS

Danica Patrick burst onto the scene in May 2005, when she stunned the world by leading 19 laps and finishing fourth in her first Indianapolis 500 – becoming the first woman to lead laps and score a Top-Five finish in the historic race. Three years later, in April 2008, Patrick became the first woman to win a major-league, open-wheel race in a North American series with her victory in the IZOD IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi oval in Japan.

In February 2013, Patrick, driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing, once again made headlines around the world with her record-setting performance in the 55th Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway. She became the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole when she set the fastest time in qualifying for the Daytona 500 and then finished in eighth place, the highest finishing position ever for a woman in the “Great American Race.”

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2013, “Kids’ Choice Awards”). Paul Flattery, Tisha Fein and Fletcher Foster serve as producers; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey will direct the special. “Like” AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCountryAwards. Follow the series on Twitter @ACAINSIDER.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: For photos and more information on the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, please visit www.foxflash.com.]

-FOX-

THE 43rd ANNUAL IEBA CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON NETWORKING, INFORMATION AND LIVE MUSIC

THE 43rd ANNUAL IEBA CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON NETWORKING, INFORMATION AND LIVE MUSIC

Panels to provide intimate discussions, agencies to showcase premier talent at leading conference for the live entertainment industry

Early Registration Ends September 18th

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 12, 2013) – IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association), the leading non-profit trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals, will hold its 43rd annual conference October 19-22 at the new Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.  The preeminent conference will feature a diverse and uniquely crafted lineup of live entertainment and informational panels with some of the industry’s leading decision makers.  To reserve your spot and for more information about the conference, please visit IEBA.  Early bird registration rates apply through September 18th. IEBA Executive Director Pam Matthews says, “It’s an exciting time to be a part of the live entertainment industry. As the role of the talent buyer broadens, our job of booking dates has shifted into the realm of artist development. Our conversations need to move beyond just buying dates and selling tickets.  As Billboard proclaims ‘the live thing dominates the music business, period,’ talent buyers are in a unique and important position.” The conference will be packed with top-tier informative sessions with today’s industry experts.  Beyond numerous showcases and agency sponsored parties, attendees will have the opportunity to sit down with IEBA’s distinguished Board of Directors and other prominent business leaders to discuss the latest trends and hot topics in live entertainment. Table topics will include:  Arenas, Casino Entertainment, Clubs, Corporate Buying, EDM, Fairs, Festivals, Indian Gaming, PACs & Small Venues, and Tour Marketing. Billboard magazine’s expert on the touring business, Ray Waddell, will host a keynote Q & A session on Monday followed by an exciting Power Panel that will feature a case study on the venerable and legendary Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  This in-depth conversation will focus on how quality entertainment coupled with great social media led to a record-breaking attendance of 2.5M. Breakout sessions have been created to offer more intimate conversations with the panelist to discuss everything from corporate buying to emergency and safety procedures. Additional panels will focus on the ever-evolving revenue streams in the lucrative casino business, the new role of the booking agent, as well as, top business managers breaking down the cost of doing business on the road. IEBA’s Agents Alley gives entertainment buyers and sellers time together to discuss the specifics of the upcoming touring season. “The Buying Starts Here” slogan originated from this longstanding IEBA tradition.  2013 Agents Alley events will be a Tailgate Party on Sunday, October 20 and the traditional two-hour booking session on Tuesday, October 22. Each day and evening will feature numerous live performances ranging from top TV chefs, gospel and rock legends, as well as some of today’s most talked about new artists.  Over fifty live performances will be staged in four days.  Scheduled to appear:  Blackjack Billy, Blush, Melissa d’Arabian, David Bradley, Chris Cagle, Conner Christian & Southern Gothic, The Hit Men, Hotel California, Rachele Lynae, Brynn Marie, Robin Meade, Jo Dee Messina, Rick Michel, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Savannah Jack, Sundy Best, Tonic.  More artists will be announced soon. The annual conference will culminate with the Tuesday, October 22nd honors and awards dinner. Professional Conference Registration-
May 15 – September 18:  $549.00
September 19 – October 11:  $649.00
October 12 – October 22:  $749.00
** Professional Members can register a spouse at the Young Professional rates below. Young Professional Conference Registration-
May 15 – September 18:  $399.00
September 19 – October 11:  $499.00
October 12 – October 22:  $599.00
**Limited Conference Access. Student Conference Registration-
May 15 – October 22:  $299.00

About IEBA: IEBA and its annual conference stand alone in the entertainment industry by showcasing the most current and diverse entertainment options for buyers, and providing unparalleled networking and informational opportunities to its members. Additionally, IEBA endows over half a million dollars in scholarships to universities across the country.  IEBA prepares the next generation of industry leaders through mentoring, educational workshops and job placement -30- Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/iebaconference Twitter   https://twitter.com/IEBAConference Linked In  www.linkedin.com/in/iebaconference Instagram  http://instagram.com/iebaconf/

MEDIA NOTE:  For media wishing to cover the conference, please email jwortman@wortmanworks.com.

Top Stars Perform at American Country Awards

Co-hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, Black Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Squares, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry to perform

Lauren Alaina, Rachel Bilson, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery and the Men of “Pawn Stars” (Richard Harrison, Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin Russell) Among Stars Scheduled to Appear

Voting for Artist of the Year Continues at www.theacas.com Until Friday, December 2

Nashville, TN - (October 31,2011) - Co-hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, along with country music’s Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry are set to perform at the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS (ACA) airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

The two-hour event will also feature appearances by Lauren Alaina, Rachel Bilson, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery and the men of “Pawn Stars” (Richard Harrison, Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin Russell). Additional performers and presenters will be announced soon.

The two-hour live music spectacular offers country music fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories, but also in a previously unrecognized area of the business – touring – encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.

Voting for all categories remains open until Friday, Nov. 11 at www.theacas.com. Voting for Artist of the Year continues until Friday, Dec. 2.

Blake Shelton has been dubbed one of the “most versatile of contemporary country singers” by The New York Times. The 2010 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year continues to prove to be one of the industry’s hottest vocalists as he caps a successful year with career highlights that include Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Television (CMT) Awards, multiple Country Music Association (CMA) Award wins, the release of three albums: “Hillbilly Bone,” “All About Tonight” and a greatest-hits album, “Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton.” He garnered two No. 1 hits with the title tracks, “Hillbilly Bone” (featuring long-time friend and ACA co-host Adkins) and “All About Tonight.” Shelton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2010. He has seven No. 1 hits, including his back-to-back multi-week No. 1 singles “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” and “Home”; his five-week No. 1 debut single “Austin”; and two additional multi-week No. 1 hits, “The Baby” and “Some Beach.” Every single one of Shelton’s singles released since 2007 has peaked in the Top 10.

The Pistol Annies are comprised of Ashley Monroe (“Hippie Annie”), Angaleena Presley (“Holler Annie”), and Miranda Lambert (“Lone Star Annie”). The trio was born out of a songwriting session when Monroe introduced Lambert to the music of her friend, Presley. “Hell on Heels” is the title track to the trio’s 2011 debut album. The trio has performed on selected Miranda Lambert tour dates and it is planning a tour of its own soon. Every song on “Hell on Heels” was written by one or more of the Annies, who all co-wrote the track “Family Feud” with “Pistol Andy” Blake Shelton.

One of country music’s biggest breakout acts of 2011, Stoney Creek Records’ Thompson Square has earned 12 major awards show nominations in 2011 including seven ACA nominations, an American Music Award (ACA) nod for New Artist of the Year, and two CMA nominations for New Artist of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year. The husband-and-wife team, comprised of the Oklahoma-bred Keifer Thompson and Alabama-bred Shawna Thompson, combine classic country and rock influences to forge a sound that is thoroughly modern, but built on the bedrock of tradition. The duo’s No. 1 single “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” is country radio’s most played song of the year, according to music industry tracking service Mediabase. Their current single, "I Got You," is a Top 10 hit. Thompson Square spent the past year on the road opening for multi-platinum country rocker Jason Aldean on his My Kinda Party 2011 Tour. The pair joins Darius Rucker's U.S. tour in November and joins Lady Antebellum’s Own the Night 2012 World Tour in January.

The Eli Young Band’s lead single “Crazy Girl,” has been certified platinum with sales of more than one million downloads. The song is currently at No. 2 on both country radio charts while the video for the single has tracked over six million views on YouTube. “Life at Best” made its debut at No. 3 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and No. 6 on the Billboard 200. It came in at No. 1 on the iTunes Store Top 10 Country Albums chart and No. 3 on iTunes’ all-genre Top 10 Albums chart, just behind Jay Z/Kanye West and Adele. While currently on tour with Dierks Bentley, EYB is a headliner in its own right, selling out shows across the country from California to Rhode Island.

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2011, “Kids’ Choice Awards”). Fletcher Foster, Paul Flattery and Tisha Fein serve as producers; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey will direct the special.

To apply for press credentials for the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, please visit www.foxcredentials.com

Visit www.theacas.com for the complete list of categories and nominees.

Hutton Hotel Launches T.J. Martell Foundation Suite

Left to right are Artist Rob Hendon, T.J. Martell Foundation CEO Laura Heatherly, Hutton Hotel General Manager Steven Andre, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Singer/Songwriter Michael Martin Murphey. Photo courtesy of the Hutton Hotel The T.J. Martell Foundation and the Hutton Hotel launched on Monday the T.J. Martell Foundation Suite at the Hutton Hotel – a distinctive, luxurious guest suite filled with rare musical memorabilia.

The room features hand-written lyrics to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and a fiddle bow played on-stage by Charlie Daniels, framed Little Big Town album signed by entire group, a signed photo of Brooks and Dunn, Hatch print of Montgomery Gentry and specially commissioned artwork by artist Rob Hendon.

The T.J. Martell Foundation Suite is on the Hutton’s 11th floor, and boasts views of downtown Nashville, as well as the stylish, luxuriously appointed guest amenities that make Hutton the first choice for sophisticated travelers to Music City. The Suite can be booked for guest stays starting at $429 per night, including taxes and other standard charges. Framed celebrity photos were provided by Alan Mayor, with consulting from Jamie Beckwith, Beckwith Interiors.