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Special Sept. 27 Event Will Be Simulcast Live on GAC as well as Sister Networks DIY Network and FINE LIVING
The Grand Ole Opry presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and television network Great American Country (GAC) today announced plans for Country Reaches Out: An Opry Benefit for the American Red Cross to assist with hurricane relief. The Sept. 27 event, to be held at the Grand Ole Opry House, will begin at 8 p.m. ET. GAC will broadcast live from the event starting at 9 p.m. ET.
Among the growing list of artists scheduled to appear are Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Craig Morgan and Billy Currington.
The commercial-free television event will include appearances and performances by country music artists who will raise awareness for The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and urge contributions from GAC viewers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that caused catastrophic damage throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Profits from the show's ticket sales will also benefit the Red Cross.
"Without fail, country music and its fans show compassion and support for those in need," said Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, the Opry's parent company. "The Opry is the heart and home of country music, and the Opry family-- its employees and artists alike-- wants to do everything it can to make sure country's heart is extended to our neighbors who have suffered such unspeakable losses this week."
In addition to the live GAC broadcast, the Opry event will be simulcast on GAC sister networks DIY Network and FINE LIVING to maximize the TV audience. The show will also be heard in its entirety on 650 WSM AM, Sirius Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The event will be cross promoted on Home & Garden Television and Food Network.
"Country music, in particular, is a powerful and unifying force that inspires individuals to action and initiates the process of healing in times of personal tragedy - or national crisis," said Ed Hardy, president of Great American Country. "It is our hope that the national television audience tuning in for the simulcast of this special Opry event on GAC, DIY and FINE LIVING will be moved to action in support of hurricane relief."
In addition to the television special, the Grand Ole Opry and GAC are also pursuing other avenues to raise awareness of and money for the hurricane relief effort. GAC is producing public service announcements featuring the network hosts and country artists, while both the Opry and GAC will host an on-line auction of one-of-a-kind country music memorabilia at opry.com and GACtv.com.
About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. A uniquely American experience for 80 years, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, Stream 137 on Sirius Satellite Radio and www.opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America's Grand Ole Opry Weekend, airs on more than 200 country radio stations across the country and on the Armed Forces Radio Network, and Grand Ole Opry Live airs each weekend on GAC: Great American Country. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that also owns and operates Gaylord Hotels and ResortQuest. For more information, visit www.opry.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com
About Great American Country
Great American Country (GACtv.com) is America's country music source, with its music-intensive format and the latest in country news and events. As the home of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, GAC is best known for its mix of current and past country music hit videos, original programming, special performances and live concerts, as well as country music's only daily request show, CRL. GAC engages its viewers in a unique way, allowing them to pick their favorite videos each week at GACtv.com for the on-air series, GAC Top 20 Country Countdown.
GAC is a property of Scripps Networks, which is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, and Nashville, Scripps Networks is the leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, including Home & Garden Television (HGTV), Food Network, DIY Network, FINE LIVING and electronic retailer Shop At Home. Scripps Networks is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks, interactive media, and television retailing. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations, Scripps Howard News Service, United Media and Shopzilla.com.
