6^TH ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT ON THIS YEAR’S

ALL-STAR COUNTRY LINEUP AND PART OF THE

 

JASON ALDEAN

with

LUKE BRYAN

AND SPECIAL GUEST

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

 

 

BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q COUNTRY MEGATICKET IS YOUR COUNTRY CONCERT SEASON TICKET

TO ALL SIX OF THE HOTTEST COUNTRY SHOWS THIS YEAR!

 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 10AM!

 

BOX OFFICE• MEGATICKET.COM• 1-800-745-3000

 

###

TOBY KEITH

 

With

BRANTLEY GILBERT

AND SPECIAL GUEST

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

 

 

BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q COUNTRY MEGATICKET IS YOUR COUNTRY CONCERT SEASON TICKET

TO ALL SIX OF THE HOTTEST COUNTRY SHOWS THIS YEAR!

 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 10AM!

 

BOX OFFICE• MEGATICKET.COM• 1-800-745-3000

RASCAL FLATTS

 

With:

LITTLE BIG TOWN

EDENS EDGE

AND SPECIAL GUEST

 

FRIDAY, JULY 27

 

 

BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q COUNTRY MEGATICKET IS YOUR COUNTRY CONCERT SEASON

TICKET TO ALL SIX OF THE HOTTEST COUNTRY SHOWS THIS YEAR!

 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 10AM!

 

BOX OFFICE• MEGATICKET.COM•             1-800-745-3000     

3^rd ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT ON THIS YEAR’S

ALL-STAR COUNTRY LINEUP AND PART OF THE

 

LADY ANTEBELLUM

With

DARIUS RUCKER

And Special Guest:

Thompson Square

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 29

 

 

BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q COUNTRY MEGATICKET IS YOUR COUNTRY CONCERT SEASON TICKET

TO ALL SIX OF THE HOTTEST COUNTRY SHOWS THIS YEAR!

 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 10AM!

 

BOX OFFICE• MEGATICKET.COM•             1-800-745-3000      

 

**STAY TUNED….NEXT ANNOUNCEMENT COMING UP IN AN HOUR**

 

2nd ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT ON THIS YEAR’S

ALL-STAR COUNTRY LINEUP AND PART OF THE

 

MIRANDA LAMBERT

Special Guests:

CHRIS YOUNG

JERROD NIEMANN

 

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

 

 

BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q COUNTRY MEGATICKET IS YOUR COUNTRY CONCERT SEASON

 TICKET TO ALL SIX OF THE HOTTEST COUNTRY SHOWS THIS YEAR!

 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 10AM!

 

BOX OFFICE• MEGATICKET.COM•             1-800-745-3000      

 

**STAY TUNED….NEXT ANNOUNCEMENT COMING UP IN AN HOUR**

1^ST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT ON THIS YEAR’S

ALL-STAR COUNTRY LINEUP AND PART OF THE

 

BRAD PAISLEY

 

With

THE BAND PERRY

and special guests

 

 

FRIDAY, MAY 18

 

 

BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q COUNTRY MEGATICKET IS YOUR COUNTRY CONCERT SEASON

TICKET TO ALL SIX OF THE HOTTEST COUNTRY SHOWS THIS YEAR!

 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 10AM!

 

BOX OFFICE• MEGATICKET.COM•             1-800-745-3000     

KISS KRUISE II ANNOUNCED TO SET SAIL HALLOWEEN 2012

 

Pre-Sale Now Through Midnight, March 14

 

Nashville, Tenn. (Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012) – It was undeniably the wettest, wildest, and most rockin’ adventure at sea, and now, rock legends KISS have partnered with Sixthman once again to unite the KISS Navy for 2012's KISS Kruise II. Following a sensational inaugural voyage last fall, the Kruise will take place aboard the Norwegian Pearl October 31 through November 4, 2012 with fans rocking from Miami, Fl., to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

 

 

The four night cruise includes many features of the phenomenal 2011 voyage, as well as exciting new attractions, including each member of the band leading their own onboard activity. Kiss Kruisers will have the rare opportunity to explore Great Stirrup Cay, a private island in the Bahamas. Guests will receive an exclusive autographed KISS Kruise II print and a cabin photo of themselves with the band. KISS will perform a live concert in the ship’s main theater, as well as a special unmasked acoustic show on the deck. The KISS Kruise II also includes a Q&A with the band, costume contests, wild theme nights, and of course, the most insane, over-the-top Halloween blowout any KISS fan could dream of.

 

Forthcoming announcements are scheduled to follow with more shows, contest additions, activity details, and special guest artists to round out this extraordinary event.

 

At this time, fans can sign up for pre-sale and will be assigned a time to book the week after signing up. Cabins go on sale to the public on March 15, 2011.

 

Cabin prices start at $750 per person plus taxes and fees. Prices include entertainment, meals, and access to many  Norwegian Pearl amenities, such as their two pools, hot tubs, massive spa, rock climbing wall, and fitness center. Fans can read more and sign up for pre-sale at www.thekisskruise.com.

 

GET READY….THE 2012 BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q COUNTRY MEGATICKET

LINEUP AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATER GETS ANNOUNCED TOMORROW!

 

STARTING AT 7AM, WE’LL BE ANNOUNCING A NEW ARTIST EVERY HOUR…STAY TUNED!

 

 

Brantley Gilbert taking show, career to next level

by Scott Kiefer

Rising country star Brantley Gilbert has been making a name for himself in Nashville this past year, but that's no surprise to his fans who have followed him from a grass-roots career in an almost cult status. Once they are infected with his open, honest lyrics of life, and a heavy back beat they become loyal to the core.
"This past year or so has been amazing," Brantley said in a telephone conversation on Monday. "We have done a lot of things and moved up, but we still have a lot of work to do."
So much for resting on his accomplishments and taking a breather. Gilbert and his band have put together a new stage show, and begins 2012 with the first show of Eric Church's Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour as the support act on Thursday in Arkansas, and the tour moves to Cape Girardeau Friday night.

"I guess that Eric picked us for the tour," Brantley said."We've worked a few shows with him, and I know him, so I am expecting a good time, once we get settled in."
Brantley spent a good portion of summer 2011 on the Willie Nelson Country Throwdown Tour, and then proceeded to headline some dates of his own, selling out places such as The Pageant in St. Louis.
"Last year was really big for me," Gilbert said. "I am still really in a state of shock of how well things have been going. It's been a long time coming, but we are ready to keep this thing going and rockin'."
Gilbert took a brief amount of time off during the holidays, but immediately began preparing for the tour with Church.
"We have a new lighting tech and we've been in rehearsal to prepare for this tour," Gilbert said. "It's a whole new ball game for us, because we are going into bigger venues, and we have to make sure the show is tight, and entertaining for our fans."

Gilbert said that rehearsals have went well, and he and the band are excited to get started.
"We will have a 45 minute set, so we have worked hard to fit in as much music as we can for our portion of the show," Gilbert said. "There's a lot that goes into a big tour like this, and we're ready."
With the addition of a new stage show and lighting director, Gilbert is proud of one thing in particular.
"I love our brand new backdrop for the stage," Gilbert said. "It's hand-brushed, not air brushed, and it's awesome. It's things like that that we pay a lot of attention to detail on. Everything's gotta be right."
Gilbert's fans are also a major part of his
"I'll tell ya buddy, these folks have followed me and they are supporting my new single, and it's because of them that I get to do what I want for a living," Gilbert said. "It's my job to go out there and give them the best. That's why we are paying so much detail to this show."
Gilbert's fans have come from the beginning, because they have supported him as a songwriter, gaining noteriety from penning Jason Aldean's "My Kinda Party," and "Dirt Road Anthem," both which went to number one. "Anthem" was also nominated for the Country Music Association's Song of the Year in November.
After being exposed to his music, fans have flocked to his shows and you can see them singing every word to nearly every song he performs, most notably "Kick It In The Sticks," which has taken a life of it's own.
Gilbert's current single "You Don't Know Her Like I Do," is currently number 34 on the country charts and has a momentum to hit number one, as his previous single, "Country Must Be Country Wide."
"This new single, it's hot, brother," Gilbert said. "It's poppin' faster than 'Country Wide.' I think because it's a true to heart song. People can relate to it. We are real excited about it."
Gilbert said that he is on the Blood, Sweat & Beers tour through May or June, and then it's on to another big tour.
"We are going to be out with Eric until sometime in June I think," Gilbert said. "I'm not sure the exact date, but then we are moving on to a tour with a big, big artist. I can't say right now who, but it's gonna be another big tour."
So what about working on new material?
"Well, like I said, we have been really busy getting this show together," Gilbert said. "I haven't had a lot of time to do any writing. After we get settled in on this trip, I am sure there will be some time for me to work on some things. I have had some ideas, sure. I get them all the time. But, when I am alone on the bus, I can really concentrate on my writing and put things together how they need to be. Songwriting can be really easy or really tough, it just depends. You gotta be in the right frame of mind, to make it click. I am a perfectionist on writing, it's just gotta be right, and it drives me crazy.. I just haven't  had the time, but I will, real soon. For now, it's about rolling out there to be with the fans and giving them the best show we know how. It's gonna be a balls to the wall, all out good time."


Who: Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour featuring Eric Church with Brantley Gilbert
When: Friday, January 20
Where: Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau
Tickets: 573.651.5000; www.showmecenter.biz/

Zac Brown Band Meets Jack Daniel’s Brand

By Christian Bottorff
© 2012 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
More than a decade since Jack Daniel’s last worked closely with a major music artist, the Lynchburg, Tenn. distillery is teaming with Zac Brown Band for a campaign that combines Southern gourmet food, the band’s genre-bending music and the pleasures of good ol’ fashioned Tennessee whiskey.
“There are so many synergies between the two,” said Dave Stang, Assistant VP, Brand Awareness, Home Place, Jack Daniel’s. “We get calls all the time: ‘Sponsor our band’ or ‘sponsor our tour.’ For years we didn’t do it, but then this fell in our lap. There is nothing phony about Lynchburg. And with Zac Brown there is nothing phony about him. It works real well.”
It all began more than four years ago when Zac Brown Band signed with ROAR management and Brown began thinking about brands he might consider as partners. One was Jack Daniel’s, so over the next two years the band made several trips to Lynchburg, while the company’s representatives saw their live shows. The band met with distillers to watch the whiskey-making process and to learn the Jack Daniel’s history and traditions.
The partnership, launched in September 2011 with sold-out concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Morrison, Colo., includes advertising, social media campaigns and promotions across the U.S. and Canada as well as a responsible drinking campaign. It has a commemorative bottle program featuring whiskey from the band’s unique barrel; proceeds support Brown’s charitable organizations. Brown has even incorporated the whiskey into his famous eat & greet events, where he offers concertgoers original culinary creations prepared by Southern Ground Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin. In addition, Jack Daniel’s is rolling with its "Lynchburg on Wheels,” a mobile Lynchburg museum of sorts that appears at the band’s select tour dates, Southern Ground Music and Food Festivals, ticket giveaways and other activities.
“There are just some brands out there that are uniquely American, that speak to all of us in a way that is hard to explain sometimes,” said Bernie Cahill, a partner at ROAR. “Jack is one of those iconic brands that exhibit all of those pillars of authenticity that are so important to consumers these days.”
Part of the appeal of Zac Brown Band is the demographic of the group’s fan base, which tends to be on the younger side of legal drinking age, according to Stang. He also sees strong similarities between the artist and “Mr. Jack,” as the brand’s now-deceased founder is known around Lynchburg.
“Jack believed in fraternity and Zac also believes in fraternity,” Stang said. “They’ve got Southern roots, and that’s the epitome of Americana. Mr. Jack and Zac are both free-spirited people. And if you look at it in their trade, they do things their own way. Zac has his standards and sticks to those standards, and certainly Jack does. What we see is what we get, and we’ll not change our ways.”
On the Web: www.ZacBrownBand.com; www.JackandZBBMedia.com

RONNIE DUNN LETS THE COWBOY ROCK

 

Country Icon’s Latest Single “Let The Cowboy Rock,” and Supporting Music Video Make National Debut on Monday, January 16; Available for Download on iTunes January 17

 

 

Yahoo!’s Ram Country Performance to air Wednesday, January 18

 

Nashville, Tenn. (Monday, January 16, 2012) – Country luminary Ronnie Dunn is redefining what it means to be a contemporary rock star with the emancipation of his brand-new guitar-heavy single, “Let The Cowboy Rock.” The two-time GRAMMY winning legendary songster has learned a thing or two over his iconic 20-year career about finding one’s own voice in music, including the fact that die-hard American country music knows no bounds. Beginning today, January 16, Dunn’s new up-tempo cowboy-rocker anthem officially impacts country radio and a supporting music video debuts at www.RonnieDunn.com. The video and single will be available for download on January 17 via iTunes but begins rotation on CMT, GAC and supporting national networks today. 

 

Fans eager for a sneak peak of the music video can click HERE.

 

“Let The Cowboy Rock” was penned by Dunn, along with hit songwriter Dallas Davidson, who also co-produced the track, and joins similar-veined Dunn co-writes such as “Cowgirls Don't Cry,” “Cowboy Town,” “Neon Moon,” “Boot Scootin' Boogie,” and “Play Something Country” in context.  

 

LET THE COWBOY ROCK

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

THIS IS WHERE THE HURT STOPS

WHERE THE WHISKEY FLOWS

LET HIM DRINK EVERY DROP

GO, GO, GO ‘TIL HE DROPS

LET THE COWBOY ROCK! 

 

The new single can be found on Dunn’s self-titled solo debut that is in stores now and is a follow-up to his lyrical masterpieces “Bleed Red,” and “Cost of Livin’.”

 

The music video was filmed partly in Pendleton, Oregon during the Pendleton Round-Up with rider Blake Knowles (lead character) with additional footage of Dunn shot in Salt Flat, Utah and Nashville, Tennessee with The Stage on Lower Broadway serving as a backdrop.

 

In addition to his single and video debut, on Wednesday, January 18, live performance from Dunn’s Yahoo!’s Ram Country taping will debut on Yahoo! Music featuring exclusive footage of “Let The Cowboy Rock,” “Cost of Livin’,” and “How Far To Waco” from Ronnie Dunn. 

 

To find out more about Ronnie Dunn’s latest career happenings, visit his official website, www.RonnieDunn.com, or follow him on Twitter at @SingaInABand and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RonnieDunnMusic.

 

Eric Church Celebrates First Career No. 1 with 

"Drink In My Hand"

Photo: Ann-Marie Hensley

Nashville, Tenn. (January 16, 2012) – EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Church kicks off the new year with a career first – “Drink In My Hand” from his critically acclaimed album, CHIEF, topping the Country radio charts.  The number one single joins a string of career firsts and accolades for Church including his first GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album of the Year, CHIEF debuting at the top of the Billboard Top 200 and spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Country albums chart, a Gold certification by the RIAA forCHIEF after only 10 weeks, the ACM Award for New Solo Vocalist of the Year and the announcement of his first arena headline tour - The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour.

"This is the 10th single we have released to radio," explains Church. "It is truly the greatest example of belief, dedication, determination and plain old hard work that we have achieved this milestone.  I can't thank the EMI staff and country radio enough for making this happen and believing in the music, but  the real gratitude must go to our fans.  I've heard countless stories from hundreds of fans of how they have gone above and beyond to get our songs heard and demand that people pay attention to what's going on in our world.  I can't think of a better way to kick off a tour!"

CHIEF has been recognized as one of the Top Albums of 2011 by Rob Harvilla’s SPIN List, NPR, Rolling Stone and Amazon.  iTunes named Church 2011 Country Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

For more information check out  www.ericchurch.com.

Eric Church's Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, with Brantley Gilbert hits Cape Girardeau, MO Friday night, January 20, and St. Louis on April 20 at the Chaifetz Arena.

ERIC CHURCH BRINGS ‘BLOOD, SWEAT & BEERs’ 

To CHAIFETZ ARENA 

ON FRIDAY, APRIL 20

tickets go on-sale on Friday, January 20 at 10 a.m. at metrotix.com

(St. Louis – January 13, 2012) Country music’s ‘Chief’ Eric Church makes a stop at Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University during his 2012 Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour with special guests Brantley Gilbert and Blackberry Smoke on Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $34.75 and $42.50 and go on-sale on Friday, January 20 at 10 a.m. at MetroTix.com, charge by phone at             314-534-1111       and the Chaifetz Arena Box Office. VIP tour packages are available for purchase through EricChurch.com.

With word-of-mouth long fueling Eric Church’s sweat-soaked, sold-out crowds, he had a personal record-breaking year in 2011. His third release, Chief hit the No. 1 spot atop the Billboard Top 200 and Country Album charts, selling over 145,000 albums in its first week. Chief also produced Church’s highest charting singles including “Homeboy” peaking as the No. 13 Billboard Country Song and “Drink in My Hand” which is currently the No. 5 Billboard County Song and No. 40 on the Billboard Top 100.  Church won a 2011 ACM award for Top New Solo Vocalist and was nominated for Top New Artist.

Church catapulted into national success with the release of his debut country album, Sinners Like Me, which produced radio hits “How ‘Bout You,” “Two Pink Lines,” and “Guys Like Me.”  His follow-up, Carolina, went on to sell over 500,000 copies and was certified Gold. Carolina spawned top hits “Love Your Love The Most,” “Hell on the Heart” and “Smoke A Little Smoke.” 

Brantley Gilbert made his debut at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart upon releasing Halfway to Heaven Deluxe in September and along with the original has already sold over 300,000 albums to date. His first single “Country Must Be Country Wide,” recently scored the No. 1 Billboard Country Song. As a celebrated songwriter, Gilbert has penned three No. 1 hits – Jason Aldean’s “My Kinda Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem,” as well as his own “Country Must Be Country Wide.” He received his first nomination at the 2011 CMA Awards for Song of the Year.  Blackberry Smoke is a southern rock band hailing from Atlanta, Georgia who supported the Zac Brown Band during their 2011 summer tour. 

Grammy® Nominees Jason Aldean And Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift to Perform on the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards®

Music's Biggest Night® Airs Live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, 8 P.M. ET/PT

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Current GRAMMY® nominees Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson , Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars , Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift are the first performers announced for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast ( www.grammy.com ).  Aldean and Minaj will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Mars, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage. The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 , at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Westwood One/Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys . Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys , www.facebook.com/thegrammys .

Foo Fighters and Mars each have six nominations. Six-time GRAMMY-winning Foo Fighters are nominated for Album Of The Year and Best Rock Album for Wasting Light; Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for "Walk"; Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for "White Limo"; and Best Long Form Music Video for Foo Fighters: Back And Forth. GRAMMY winner Mars is up for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Grenade"; Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Doo-Wops & Hooligans; and Producer Of The Year, Non Classical (as a member of the Smeezingtons, along with Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine).
Minaj has four nods: Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance for "Moment 4 Life" (with Drake), Best Rap Album for Pink Friday, and Album Of The Year (as a featured artist on Rihanna's Loud).
Aldean and Swift are up for three awards each. Aldean has nominations for Best Country Solo Performance for "Dirt Road Anthem," Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Don't You Wanna Stay" (with Kelly Clarkson), and Best Country Album for My Kinda Party. Four-time GRAMMY winner Swift has nods for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for "Mean," and Best Country Album for Speak Now.
Two-time GRAMMY winner Clarkson is nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Don't You Wanna Stay" (with Jason Aldean).
The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.


Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com . For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue, and Instagram.
SOURCE The Recording Academy

The 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival is "Celebrating The Power of Our Voice" July 6-8, 2012 in New Orleans

THE 18TH ANNUAL EVENT WILL FEATURE A MEGA-WATT LINE-UP OF POWERFUL PERFORMERS INCLUDING ARETHA FRANKLIN, MARY J. BLIGE, FANTASIA, STEPHANIE MILLS, CHARLIE WILSON, KEYSHIA COLE, LEDISI, SWV AND MORE

ESSENCE TO HONOR "THE QUEEN OF SOUL, ARETHA FRANKLIN" WITH "THE POWER AWARD" DURING HER PERFORMANCE

THE ESSENCE EMPOWERMENT EXPERIENCE WILL SHOWCASE THE COUNTRY'S LEADING THINKERS, INNOVATORS, AND COMMUNICATORS INCLUDING STEVE HARVEY, REV. AL SHARPTON, REP. MAXINE WATERS AND DR. STEVE PERRY PLUS, AN ALL-STAR GOSPEL TRIBUTE TO FRED HAMMOND AND MARY MARY

THE LEGENDARY FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA WILL PAY HOMAGE TO OUR MOST POWERFUL VOICES IN ENTERTAINMENT AND WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2012 ESSENCE Musical Festival celebrates "The Power of Our Voice" during its 18th anniversary held in New Orleans July 6, 7 and 8. This year's theme reflects the audiences' turn to powerful voices—whether through song, the political arena or community organizing—for strength and inspiration during challenging times. The annual Festival promises to deliver a stellar line-up of musical artists as well as leading thinkers, authors, innovators and influencers who will empower and motivate the audience to make a difference in each of their communities. The annual weekend of entertainment and empowerment will feature an unprecedented three days of cultural celebrations over the festive Fourth of July holiday weekend in the Crescent City. With a combination of iconic musical performances and thought-provoking dialogue, the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival will be an unforgettable experience.
"The theme of this year's Essence Music Festival celebrates our most powerful voices. Whether it's Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul commanding respect or Rep. Maxine Waters demanding better conditions for our community, these powerful voices resonate with our audience like no other," said Michelle Ebanks, president, Essence Communications Inc. "As we all face a new reality in these critical times, we want to inspire our Festival-goers to leave this year's Festival even more resilient and motivated so that they can be empowered to create change in their own communities."
After another record-breaking year in 2011, this year's line-up promises to be a weekend to remember. Stellar acts leading the list of artists set to perform at the legendary Louisiana Superdome include: Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Stephanie Mills, Charlie Wilson, Keyshia Cole, Ledisi, SWV, Dru Hill, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle, Goapele, Vivian Green, Kindred the Family Soul, Luke James, Eric Roberson, The Stylistics, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Bridget Kelly, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, The Stooges Brass Band and Khris Royal & Dark Matter.
In addition, ESSENCE will honor iconic singer Aretha Franklin with "The Power Award." The Queen of Soul previously performed at the Festival in 1995 and 2005.
In addition to the colossal music line-up, the audience can look forward to the annual ESSENCE Empowerment Experience, which is free and open to the public at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Festival-goers will experience three full days of socio-political dialogue, health and wellness discussions and spiritual inspiration led by dynamic motivational speakers. The initial roster of leading authors, speakers and leaders include: Steve Harvey, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Maxine Waters and Dr. Steve Perry . The weekend will culminate on Sunday with a rousing All-star Gospel tribute honoring gospel mega-stars Fred Hammond and Mary Mary.
In an effort to continue to give back to the New Orleans community, ESSENCE will also partner with the City of New Orleans to benefit their initiatives focused on saving our youth.
Now in its 18th year, the ultimate destination for entertainment and inspiration hosted over 422,000 attendees last year. What began in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ESSENCE magazine has now grown into one of the country's "Top 10 Leading Brand Events" by Advertising Age.  The ESSENCE Music Festival is the nation's largest annual gathering of African-American music and culture.  Throughout its history, the Festival has featured an array of performers including Alicia Keys, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Chaka Khan, Destiny's Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, LL Cool J, Jamie Foxx, John Legend, The Isley Brothers, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Maxwell, The O'Jays, Prince, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton, Patti LaBelle and Yolanda Adams, among others.
For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit www.essencemusicfestival.com. Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencemusic #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival on Facebook.
The 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival, in partnership with QuintEvents, has created "ESSENCE VIP Events" to offer fans the ultimate in "insider access", with exclusive VIP ticket, travel and hospitality party venue packages.  The Official packages are available now at www.QuintEvents.com and will be featured on the Official website, www.ESSENCEVIPEvents.com in early 2012.
The presenting sponsor for the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival is Coca-Cola.  Major sponsors include Coors Light, State Farm and Visa Pre-Paid.
The 2012 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC, a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI).  GeChar is the executive producer of the 2012 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.
ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:
Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online.  The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 41 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women's lives.  Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.
SOURCE Essence Communications Inc.

Will Smith will host Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, airing live on Saturday, March 31, at 8:00 p.m. from the Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, California. Smith, a ten-time Blimp Award winner, will be joined by Hollywood's biggest stars in an unforgettable, special anniversary slimefest where kids rule. (PRNewsFoto/Nickelodeon)
Will Smith Tapped to Host Nickelodeon's Milestone 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards Live from Los Angeles on Saturday, March 31, at 8PM (ET) Smith to Helm Silver Anniversary of Star-Studded, Slime-Dousing Telecast Honoring Kids' Favorites in the Worlds of Film, Music, Sports and Television SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- World-renowned actor, producer and recording artist Will Smith (I Am Legend, The Pursuit of Happyness and the upcoming Men in Black III) will host Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards , airing live on Saturday, March 31, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/tape delayed for West Coast) from the Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, California.  Smith, a ten-time Blimp Award winner, will be joined by Hollywood's biggest stars in an unforgettable, special anniversary slimefest where kids rule.  "How better to celebrate 25 years of Kids' Choice Awards than with the biggest movie star in the world?" said Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon Group and an Executive Producer of the show.  "Will has enough KCA blimps at home to fill a room, having long been one of kids' favorites.  He's a larger than life presence who knows how to play big and we're excited he'll be taking the stage for the biggest, loudest, messiest spectacle in the show's 25-year history." "The Kids' Choice Awards are always the year's liveliest, slimiest and most outrageous party for kids and teens," said Will Smith. "I'm honored they wanted me to host this year so I can have a front row seat to take part in the fun." Two-time Academy-Award® nominee Smith recently finished filming Columbia Pictures' Men in Black III, which will release on May 25, 2012. Up next, he will begin filming and producing One Thousand A.E. co-starring Jaden Smith. Smith's extraordinary list of blockbusters includes the most recent I Am Legend and Hancock. He also thrilled audiences in such huge hits as I, Robot, Independence Day, Men in Black and Men in Black II. Smith, along with partner James Lassiter of Overbrook Entertainment, also produced Hitch, The Pursuit of Happyness, Karate Kid, The Secret Life of Bees, Seven Pounds, Lakeview Terrace and The Human Contract, which marked the feature directorial debut of Overbrook Entertainment Partner, Jada Pinkett Smith. Last year, Nickelodeon's 2011 Kids' Choice Awards, hosted by actor/comedian Jack Black, ranked as basic cable's top telecast for the week (March 28, 2011–April 3, 2011) with 7.3 million total viewers. The show also ranked as the week's top telecast with kids and tweens on all TV, averaging a 9.8/3.5 million K2-11, 12.7/2.7 million K6-11 and 11.7/2.5 million T9-14.  The star-studded telecast scored the most votes in the show's history—a record 200 million (+70%, over 2010) votes were cast across Nick.com, Nick's mobile site, a brand-new iPhone application and for the first time ever, an iPad-optimized site, TeenNick.com and Nick's Facebook page.  Nick.com celebrated its highest trafficked day ever on April 2, earning 42 million page views (+9%) and reaching over 2.2 million visitors across its website, mobile and tablet sites (+14%).  Additionally, the audience for the live simulcast of Countdown to Kids' Choice across these digital platforms posted double-digit increases (+39%) over the previous year. Once again, kids will pick the winners and get tons of Kids' Choice Awards content online and across multiple devices.  http://www.nick.com/KCA12 will serve as the official site for the Kids' Choice Awards with nominee information, voting, videos, celebrity photos, news, and Orange Carpet and backstage webcasts.  Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards is more global than ever in 2012, seen in over 300 million households around the world.  Within hours of airing live in the United States and Canada, the show will roll out in additional international markets, providing kids around the world the opportunity to tune into their local Nickelodeon channel to enjoy the show faster than ever.  In many international markets, the 2012 KCAs will feature country-specific award categories and nominees, such as Nickelodeon Italia's Favorite Star and Nickelodeon UK's Favorite Show.  Voting for the 2012 KCAs will span over six continents across 15 localized voting sites, giving kids practically everywhere the chance to decide who takes home a coveted blimp. Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards is being produced by Nickelodeon Productions in association with Bob Bain Productions.  Bob Bain, Marjorie Cohn and Paula Kaplan are Executive Producers.  Media outlets can reference the most up-to-date information on Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards by logging onto www.NickKCApress.com. Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB). Web Site: http://www.nick.com