CANADIAN CMA ANNOUNCES VANCOUVER AS HOST OF COUNTRY MUSIC WEEK
AND AWARDS FOR 2009
2008 Week Activities Set For Winnipeg, Manitoba
(Nashville, TN -- December 5th, 2007) The Canadian Country Music Association
announced that Vancouver, British Columbia will play host to Country Music Week
and the Canadian Country Music Awards in 2009; which marks the first time the
events will take place on the West Coast since 1987.
Today's announcement was made in Vancouver by the Chair of the Canadian CMA
Board of Directors, Heather Ostertag, who presented Stan Hagen, Minister of
Tourism, Sports and the Arts, with a special award to commemorate Vancouver's
successful bid for Canada's biggest week in country music. Also on hand for the
announcement were honorary Co-Chairs of the Vancouver Host Committee, Lisa
Brokop and Steve Darling.
"We are thrilled to be coming to Vancouver in 2009," said Ostertag. "The support we
have received so far, not only from the Bid Committee but also from the Province of
British Columbia and the City of Vancouver has been incredible. Vancouver is a
beautiful city and we are excited to be bringing Canada's top country artists to the
fans."
Lynn Robertson, Co-Chair of the Vancouver Bid Committee said, "We were delighted
to hear that our bid submission was successful and we look forward to working with
the Canadian CMA to put together a memorable event for both the music industry and
fans alike.
"Our goal as a Host Committee is to make the most enjoyable, most profitable, and
most attended event the Canadian CMA has ever seen," said Co-Chair of the Bid
Committee, Mark Jiles. "Having Country Music Week 2009 in Vancouver will be held
September 11-14 with the CCMA Awards to be held September 14. Before heading to
the West Coast, the Canadian Country Music Association will celebrate Country
Music Week on the Prairies.
This year's Country Music Week is set for September 5-8 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Details regarding the week's activities are forthcoming. For more information, please
visit www.ccma.org.
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CHARLIE DANIELS INVITED TO BECOME GRAND OLE OPRY MEMBER
Martina McBride Extends Surprise Invitation During Daniels' Christmas For Kids
Benefit Show
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (November 19, 2007) Legendary country superstar Charlie
Daniels was surprised with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand
Ole Opry this evening. Daniels was hosting his annual Christmas For Kids benefit
show at the historic Ryman Auditorium when Opry member Martina McBride delivered
the surprise Opry invitation. After McBride walked on stage with what appeared to be
a Christmas gift for Daniels, she opened the small box she was holding to reveal a
Christmas card reading:
"Peace, joy, love, and wishes fulfilled.
These are the timeless treasures of Christmas.
Thank you, Charlie, for all you've done to make Christmas wishes come true for
thousands of children through the years.
Now it's time to make a wish come true for you, too.
You're officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Merry Christmas!"
Daniels backed away, overcome with emotion while the crowd exploded with
applause.
"I can not even begin to tell you folks ¦this is very emotional for me," said Daniels."I
never ever in my wildest dreams when I came to Nashville with my precious wife and
son dreamed that this would happen. To think that now my name will be added
along with all these great country artists. Thank you."
Following the Opry invitation, the Ryman's stage curtains were pulled to reveal the
Opry's classic barn backdrop, and an Opry microphone stand was added center
stage. Daniels performed the rest of the benefit show in front of the famous
backdrop. Daniels will be officially inducted into the Opry during an Opry at the Ryman
performance later this winter.
"Charlie Daniels' songs and musicianship are nothing less than legendary," said
Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. "He's known worldwide as
one of country music's true icons, and all of us with the Opry are excited to welcome
him into our family of new stars, superstars and legends."
Daniels has been a music icon for more than 40 years. Born in Wilmington, N.C., he
was raised on a musical diet that included Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass
bands, rhythm & blues, and country music from the radio, including Nashville's 650
WSM. During his career, Daniels has been awarded a Grammy, three CMA awards,
the ACM Pioneer Award, and the TNN/Music City News Living Legend award for his
musical contributions. His signature song, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia,"
topped both country and pop charts, bringing him international acclaim.
The artist's current Blue Hat/Koch Records CD release, Deuces, is his first duet
album and features guest artists Brad Paisley; The Del McCoury Band ; Gretchen
Wilson; Earl, Gary & Randy Scruggs; Bonnie Bramlett; Travis Tritt; Dolly Parton;
Brooks & Dunn; Marty Stuart; Darius Rucker; Brenda Lee; Vince Gill
and Montgomery Gentry.
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Murray To Launch Greylock Entertainment
Former CMA VP Says Integrated Marketing for Entertainment is Under Utilized
(Nashville, TN December 3, 2007) Rick Murray, former CMA Vice President of
Strategic Marketing is launching Greylock Entertainment, a full service integrated
entertainment marketing and promotional company dedicated to the expansion of
brand equity.
"After several months of research, it is clearer to me than ever before that integrated
marketing opportunities are being underutilized by entertainment brands," said
Murray who will serve as CEO of the new company. "In the rapidly changing world of
entertainment, including the pressure from stockholders of publicly traded
entertainment companies to increase profits, it is essential that artists, record labels,
television properties, magazines, radio and other entertainment properties seek out
new, alternative marketing channels to reach new consumers and further activate
existing fans. Using both traditional and non-traditional marketing channels, Greylock
Entertainment will help entertainment and consumer brands develop "out of the box"
strategic marketing plans and then implement those plans resulting in increased
revenue."
Greylock Entertainment will provide strategic marketing services,
sponsorship/partnership program services, marketing program event production and
develop entertainment properties and promotions including tours, special events and
television properties.
Murray brings more than twenty-five years of entertainment marketing and event
production experience to the new venture. Most recently, he was Vice President of
Strategic Marketing for the Country Music Association where he was responsible for
brand development, market research, corporate marketing initiatives, marketing
communications, member marketing services, CMA Awards and CMA Music Festival
viewer promotions/advertising, the creation of the first country music themed free
standing insert, sponsorship/marketing of the CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair, the
development/implementation of the first ever Marketing With Country Music
conference co-sponsored by Advertising Age and the America's Sold On Country Tour
reaching marketers in conjunction with Brand Week. He launched the CMA
Sponsorship Program and created a comprehensive corporate marketing strategy for
CMA resulting in partnerships with more than 100 brands; working with the City of
New York, created the "Country Takes New York City" national event marketing
platform surrounding the CMA Awards in New York City (2005). "Country Takes New
York" included partnerships with sports (NFL), Broadway (Broadway Meets Country),
fashion, financial, media and entertainment sectors. He also developed a successful
marketing strategy with "Hollywood" raising awareness for country music among
studio, network and cable marketing executives as well as key production personnel
and music supervisors; was instrumental in WHEEL OF FORTUNE's "Country Stars
Weeks" and created and produced New From Nashville (NUNV), an annual
European promotional tour showcasing country artists in Dublin, Glasgow and
London. Prior to CMA, Murray developed marketing and sponsorship programs for
the National Association for Campus Activities and was an executive in one of the first
satellite delivered college special event networks that provided educational and
entertainment programming. His resume also includes television production, White
House Advance and Chairman of the Promotion Marketing Association.
Greylock Entertainment will be based in Nashville. Correspondence can be directed
to P.O. Box 1986 Brentwood, TN 37024.
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