Little Big Town bike ride raises money to fight cancer, AIDS
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 – Little Big Town raised $35,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation's second annual Ride For A Cure motorcycle ride on Sunday. Little Big Town, with the help of artists Darryl Worley, Lonestar, Jennifer Hanson, Gary Chapman, GAC's Storme Warren, Ira Dean, Chuck Wicks, Jeff Allen, Christian Kane, Earl Brown, Bluefield, Kendall Johnson, Levi Rose, Randy Houser, Ray Scott, Jamie Johnson, The Roys and FLOORD turned out to ride from one Harley-Davidson store in the Nashville area to another in 95-plus degree heat where they met fans, enjoyed a barbecue lunch and performed in a post-ride jam session.
"Everyone seemed to have a great time, and we were so pleased to see such wonderful support from the many sponsors, participants, artists and fans that came to help us raise vital dollars for research," said Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town. "Ride For A Cure was a great way for us to end CMA Music Fest week by giving back to such a wonderful cause as the T.J. Martell Foundation."
Prior to the start of the ride, Little Big Town was awarded the T.J. Martell Foundation - Nashville Division's Artist Appreciation Award for their support in the foundation's mission of funding leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. Mike Kraski, Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation's Board of Directors Artist Relations Committee and Laura Heatherly, Executive Director of the Foundation presented a special plaque to Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Roads and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town.
"Little Big Town is a great example of how artists can get really get involved with a music industry supported cause such as the T.J. Martell Foundation and help raise vital dollars for research," said Kraski. "After attending some Martell events and learning about the mission of the charity, they decided they wanted to play a major role with the organization and host the motorcycle ride."
More news for Little Big Town
CD reviews for Little Big Town
A Place To Land (re-release)
Little Big Town's third studio album was recently re-released by the group's new label after they split from Equity Music Group and took the CD with them. Those already familiar with the quartet will find a dozen tracks from the original recording, but there are also four new tracks to enjoy including a live coda - a cover of The Dream Academy's Life in a Northern Town - recorded with Jake Owen and Sugarland that has charted on its own. Highlights include That's Where I'll »»»
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A Place To Land
If "Rumors-" era Fleetwood Mac was just starting out today, they would be considered a country band. Need proof? Meet Little Big Town.
The oxymoronically-named quartet does the kind of country music that would have been considered mainstream rock in the '60s or '70s. They seem to be playing this generational kinship up on their third album. The band's new logo would have been right at home on a vintage Jefferson Airplane rock poster. And check out Karen »»»
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The Road to Here
Little Big Town went for an overpolished sound the first time out and quickly found themselves off of Sony, but they have found themselves here. The quartet - Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Roads - is a countrified Fleetwood Mac, but far moreso than say Bering Strait. That's apparent from the instrumentation with lots of mandolin, fiddle, Dobro and banjo. This is a cohesive effort as well with lot of strong harmonies, sometimes beautiful sounding and sometimes with »»»
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Editorial: Whither Paste Magazine? –
We know these are tough times out there, and the just received issue of Paste magazine underscores that. The magazine used to be your typical magazine size, but this magazine, which covers Americana music somewhat, appears to be on the ropes. That's the case at least if the new issue is any indication. Yes, they have the Avett Brothers on the cover with a new CD due out in August. »»»
Concert Review: Summertown Road proves to be a work in progress with musical chops –
After the first set by bluegrass quartet Summertown Road, a person attending the show told lead singer Bo Isaac how it was too bad they didn't have anything to sell. Heck, the Kentucky band doesn't even have a web site at this point (although they do have a MySpace page).
They will have music out soon enough, well once 2010 rolls around,... »»»
Concert Review: Paul Thorn: doing it his own way isn't so bad –
Paul Thorn enjoyed such an unusual upbringing that it's no wonder he turned to music to express himself. After all, it sure made for easy subject matter. His father was a preacher at 17, which is when he married his mother, then 15. And his uncle was a pimp. While he didn't say so in concert, Thorn also was a one-time professional boxer... »»»
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