PAISLEY GETS ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT FROM GIBSON

The first time I saw Brad Paisley perform live back in 1999 I was stunned by his amazing picking ability and already definable style. Ranked immediately as a top picker by everybody it's not surprising that Gibson Guitars has singled him out for a special instrument to bear his name. Gibson Guitar Announces a Rare Acoustic named The Brad Paisley Gibson Acoustic J-45.

Gibson announced:  "In celebration of his dedication to the instrument, and his achievements in his field, Gibson Acoustic presents the Brad Paisley J-45 Model, a custom-appointed acoustic guitar from the luthiers of Bozeman, Montana. Constructed in the image of the beloved J-45 “round-shouldered” dreadnought with Paisley’s own preferences for a prized solid Adirondack Red Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and one-piece custom mahogany neck with “modified V” profile and 24 3/4”-scale rosewood fingerboard, it’s a sultry instrument on par with the best pre-War Gibson flat-tops, yet equipped as a top-flight performance machine for today’s professional.

The Brad Paisley Model carries an up-market hardware set, including custom hand-made vintage-style nickel tuners with cream buttons, and belly-up rosewood bridge with traditional bridge pins and bone saddle.  MSRP $5,158 USD

TOBY KEITH EVENT RAISES ALMOST $600,000 FOR OK KIDS

The final accounting is still underway and the numbers are
staggering as the seventh annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic raised
close to $600,000 May 21-22 in Norman, Oklahoma. Comprised of a
dinner/auction/concert and golf tournament the following day, the event has
raised almost $3,000,000 since its inception for Oklahoma's children
battling cancer and their families.

The perennially sold-out gathering was standing-room-only yet again, with
co-emcee Larry The Cable Guy keeping the crowd in stitches and event
namesake Toby Keith jumping on stage to perform with headliner David Allan
Coe.  Surprise guest, and Show Dog-Universal Music label mate, Phil Vassar
also took the stage to rock the house for a few songs.

Top draws in the auction included dinner for 20 with Toby Keith. As it did
last year, the meal generated such interest that Keith agreed to do two
dinners, one for each of the top bidders at $28,000 a piece. A Super Bowl
package went for $16,000 and top silent auction items included a canvas of
Keith featuring the lyrics to "Cryin' For Me (Wayman's Song) that went for
$3,900, Vikings and Jets Brett Favre jerseys at $4,100 and a Cal Ripken, Jr.
package that brought in $3,500.

Pros For Africa and Whitten-Newman Foundation Co-Founder Reggie Whitten
donated a custom Triumph Rocket III motorcycle autographed by NFL stars
Tommie Harris (Bears), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Roy Williams (Bengals) and
Mark Clayton (Ravens). The bike sold for $40,000 and Whitten intends to make
the cycle donation an annual occurrence because, in his words, "Triumph" is
exactly what he wants the sick children of Oklahoma to do.

Proceeds from this year's event will help fund the OK Kids Korral 16-room
guest lodge, which will house pediatric cancer patients and their families
on the grounds of Oklahoma University Medical Center. With completion
expected in 2012, the 30,000 sq. ft. facility will be a haven of respite for
families of young children struggling through cancer treatments. Visit the
website at www.tobykeithfoundation.org for details.
 

GEORGE STRAIT REISSUES LIVE DVD

George Strait will re-issue George Strait Live on DVD exclusively to Walmart on June 15. The superstar entertainer, backed by his Ace in the Hole Band, is captured for the first time on video performing greatest hits and all time fan favorites at the Dallas Reunion Arena on New Year's night 1986-1987.  George Strait Live has been digitally re-mastered with 5.1 surround sound and includes five bonus music videos made available for the first time ever for fans on DVD.

George Strait Live track listing
The Fireman
Deep Water
The Cowboy Rides Away
Hot Burning Flames
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Dance Time In Texas
You’re Something Special To Me
Six Pack To Go
Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her
Amarillo By Morning
All My Ex’s Live In Texas
Rhythm Of The Road
Any Old Time
You Look So Good In Love
Marina Del Ray
Unwoud

Bonus Music Videos
Amarillo By Morning
The Chair
Check Yes Or No
She’ll Leave You With A Smile
Living For The Night

SPEAKING OF BRAD PAISLEY

This past weekend Brad Paisley’s H2O World Tour played to over 30,000 fans in Kansas City and St. Louis.  On Saturday, Paisley took to the Water World Plaza Stage as a surprise and played guitar for Steel Magnolia on Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks duet “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.”

A couple hours before the Plaza acts were to perform Paisley tweeted, “Waterworld about to fire up.  Maybe one of the plaza artists needs another guitar player today.  I’m gonna go audition.”

With the H2O World Tour and Water World Plaza you never know where Paisley might show up.  The previous weekend he was spotted driving the Chevy ZR1 Racing simulator and Chevy H2O FLW fishing simulator – as well as checking out the other booths and activities in Water World.

The tour continues this weekend with shows on Friday, Toledo, OH; Saturday, Indianapolis, IN; and Sunday, Cincinnati, OH.

TAYLOR SWIFT TO HOST 13-HOUR FAN MEET & GREET EVENT DURING CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

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