Responsibility Matters....

Kenny Chesney’s name pops up a couple times in the news today. First, Kenny is a new edition to the Farm Aid lineup. The annual fundraising concert that benefits America’s farmers will take place in Mansfield, Massachusetts on September 20th. Secondly, scores of fans were arrested before the Poets and Pirates concert in New England last Saturday. Kenny’s concerts are known for becoming all-day events that begin in the parking lot hours before show time. This past weekend that parking lot partying got out of hand. Police routinely roam the tail gating area looking for partiers without tickets to the show. And because the 5th annual Foxboro, Massachusetts show sold out in 15 minutes, police found plenty of ticket-less persons to arrest and cite for trespassing. Other concert goers were arrested on charges of having an open container containing alcohol, minor in possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, and assault due to the alcohol-fueled fights that broke out throughout the parking lot. When all was said and done, 76 people were arrested. To sadden the matter further, two friends were killed and a third was injured in a car crash after they had left the scene of the concert melee. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but allegedly the three were among those partying at the stadium without tickets.

Mark Chesnutt’s tour bus was rear ended by a drunk driver early Sunday morning as the band was heading home to Nashville after the Saturday night gig at Billy Bob’s in Ft. Worth, TX. Most of the band, including tour manager Kenny Thurman, Delaney Jackson, Cary Stone Lee Kelley, Steve Ledford, Bob Gulley, Don Bradley and driver Dave Simon, were aboard the bus when it was struck by a young driver allegedly traveling over 100 mph. No one was injured. Mark was not on the bus at the time because he was flying back home to Beaumont. "I'm really, really glad all the boys are alright. Thank God." Mark said. "...in as much as I was in the air, I'd still rather drive than fly. I love the bus." The night got more interesting when police arrived on the scene. One of the cruisers had a flat tire, so while the officers were taking the reports, Mark’s tour manager changed the tire on the police car. There’s no word yet on charges files against the young male driver who reportedly had been drinking and was driving without a license. His car was totaled.

If you’re among the football faithful gathering around your TV this fall, never fear, Hank Williams, Jr. will be there to serenade you, just as he has done every year since 1989. Catch the debut of this year's new "Rowdy" tune when Monday Night Football kicks off its 39th season September 8th with a double-header. The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Green Bay Packers, followed by a game between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders. Kickoff is at 7p (ET) on ESPN-TV.

If you watch Sunday night football, you’ll see a different country star singing the opening theme: Faith Hill. “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” debuts September 7 on NBC, with the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Chicago Bears. In addition to being invited back to sing the theme song, this year Faith will star in various commercials for Sunday Night Football including one humorous ad that shows NFL players in a kitchen, preparing game-time snacks for Faith and her girlfriends. "The promo piece is one of the funniest things I have ever seen," Faith said. "Fans will be in for a real treat getting a glimpse of these guys in the kitchen." The spots will also air during NBC's coverage of the Olympics August 8th-25th.