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McGraw launches effort to help vets

Thursday, May 24, 2012 – Tim McGraw is launching a nationwide program, HomeFront, in partnership with Chase and Operation Homefront to award mortgage-free homes to wounded warriors and service members in need at each concert of his summer tour.

Both ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music, and The Premier Group on behalf of the North Carolina Furniture Manufacturers, have made substantial contributions to support the program throughout the summer.

To kick-start the HomeFront program, McGraw will perform a special Memorial Day concert of remembrance and gratitude for service members at New York City's Beacon Theatre during Fleet Week in partnership with Chase and the United Service Organizations (USO). The show will be streamed live via YouTube and to military bases around the world on The Pentagon Channel.

"My sister's a veteran of the first Gulf War. My uncle was a Vietnam veteran, and my grandfather was a World War II veteran. I've always felt a deep sense of respect and obligation to our troops," said McGraw. "Being able to reward them for their dedicated work with a new home will be even more rewarding for us. It feels so good to give back to them, and to have the opportunity to entertain them on Memorial Day is something I'm honored to do."

On June 2 in Tampa, McGraw will launch the Brothers of the Sun Tour with Kenny Chesney through August.

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Two Lanes of Freedom CD review - Two Lanes of Freedom
Tim McGraw's debut on Big Machine, "Two Lanes Of Freedom" is his first record since the announcement that he gave up alcohol five years ago and the first since his acrimonious, litigious split from the only label he had ever known, Curb. The new CD literally and symbolically represents a fresh start. If only the material better reflected his new take on life. What is presented here is about as boiler plate as contemporary country gets. The album is a safe play and takes almost no chances. »»»
Emotional Traffic CD review - Emotional Traffic
Tim McGraw is the ultimate country music Zelig. Match him with a great lyric, and he's like the voice of a prophet. But put him with fluff, and he's no better than a news reader anchorman on a slow news day. McGraw is at his best on Better Than I Used To Be, a song as spiritual as you want it to be. It could easily be applied to the New Testament exhortation to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." It can also be taken as a self-help summation. »»»
Christmas All Over the World (single)
Tim McGraw brings an international flavor, at least lyrically, to his new holiday single, Christmas All Over the World When the bells start ringing, it suggests, "no matter where you are, it's going to warm your heart," according to McGraw. With its lyric, McGraw names numerous countries and cultures and says a little bit about how each celebrates the season. Sonically, the song features a big twang-y guitar part, which gives it a kind of wild-west-meets-U2 feel. »»»
Editorial: Walking the talk – When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Size doesn't matter to Winslow-King – Luke Winslow-King may have a fine new CD out ("The Coming Tide") on a long respected indie country/roots label (Bloodshot), but that didn't mean the throngs were going to fill the club. In fact, in a second night of shows in the Boston area, Winslow-King drew a handful of people. Well, make that literally two handfuls of people. As in 10 people.... »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left – Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
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