Festive and Felicitous Feel Good Fajita Friday Fellow Fans!

CMA Music Fest is coming to TV! The summarized excitement of the 4-day festival that took place in Nashville this past June will be on ABC September 8th. Set your DVRs for CMA Music Fest: Country’s Night to Rock because there will be plenty of live performances to see: Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam. You’ll also see plenty of behind the scenes footage shot especially for TV. See Bucky Covington act as a tour guide around the massive CMA Music Festival to show the festival experience through his eyes. Hear John Rich of Big & Rich tell us how Gretchen Wilson went from bartender to singer at Nashville's legendary honkytonks. Watch Taylor Swift sing an impromptu street performance and sign autographs at the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall. Envy the lucky fans that were chosen for "lucky day" meet and greets with Kellie Pickler, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Julianne Hough. A record 208,000 fans attended CMA Music Festival this year, and it’s the fourth time ABC will broadcast the special, bringing America’s most-played musical format into living rooms across the country.

Oh, and speaking of Julianne Hough, the country newcomer and two-time Dancing With The Stars champion is nominated for an Emmy Award. The nomination for Outstanding Choreography was given in part for her mambo with Helio Castroneves in 2007.

Dolly Parton is also no stranger to singing and dancing. The much anticipated Broadway production of 9 to 5 will open in April 2009. Actually, the New York premiere will follow a fall trial run in Los Angeles, September 3 through October 19. The cast includes 'West Wing' actress Allison Janney as Violet Newstead, Stephanie J. Block as Judy Bernly, and Megan Hilty as Doralee Rhodes, the roles portrayed in the 1980 film by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dolly Parton, respectively. Dolly’s original score for 9 to 5: The Musical will include more than 20 new songs, as well as the Grammy-winning title song.


And here’s some news that should make any former Forces member feel good. For the annual 4th of July celebration, US Army Veteran Rockie Lynne performed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. It was his first time back at the base on which he served for 6 years since leaving the military. In front of an audience of about 45,000 people, Rockie was taken by complete surprise when the Army presented him with the prestigious "Iron Mike" award. The "Iron Mike" is given to individuals who show outstanding commitment to the Armed Forces. “I try to do as much as I can for our troops but this show was especially meaningful for me because of my personal connection to Fort Bragg,” Rockie said. “Receiving the ‘Iron Mike’ Award is an honor beyond comprehension. I was stunned when Colonel David Fox walked on the stage and handed it to me.” Bet you didn’t know that Rockie Lynne (“Lipstick,” “Do We Still”) served in the 82nd Airborne from 1985 – 1991. His original composition, “Red, White and Blue” was included on his 2006 self-titled debut and is played at most U.S. memorial services in Iraq. Rockie is currently signed to Robbins Nashville and is in the studio recording his next project for the new label, which will include the latest single you’re hearing on The Country Station, “I Can’t Believe It’s Me.”