Press Releases

Thursday, August 19, 2010

PRESS RELEASE (8/16/10)

Mrs. Howard Keel in Nebraska for Miles of Memories MusicFest
     Judy Keel, wife of the late film star Howard Keel and co-author of Howard’s authorized biography, Only Make Believe, will be a special guest all three days of the 2010 Miles of Memories Country MusicFest, held September 9, 10 & 11 in Hastings, Nebraska.
     Ms. Keel joins Grand Ole Opry star George Hamilton IV and a full cast of country music performers from across the United States and two representatives from overseas as well. In addition to Hamilton, whose hits include “Abilene” and “Break My Mind,” the festival presents a variety of performances by New Zealand country music star Roger Tibbs, Nebraska country crooner Elton Flodman, Houston-based Brenda Lee-style singer Margie LeBlanc, “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Paul Belanger, German banjo player Andy Glandt, Texas cowboy singer Buck Helton, steel guitarist Curt Shoemaker and festival hosts Tex and Mary Schutz.
     The three-day event includes concerts, theme shows, learning sessions and even barn dances for those who enjoy traditional country music. The event is held indoors in the air-conditioned facilities of the Adams County Fairgrounds, located in the the southwest part of Hastings. Activities begin each morning at 10 a.m. with various theme shows; afternoon concerts begin at 1 p.m.; evening shows begin at 7 p.m. and barn dances begin each evening at 10 p.m. A full schedule of MusicFest activities can be found at www.texandmary.com or by calling 903-467-9545.
     Admission at the door is $45 for a three-day festival pass, or $20 per day, $12 for an afternoon-only pass and $15 for an evening-only pass (after 5 p.m.). Youngsters age 13-17 receive half-price admission and those 12 and under are admitted free. Discounted advance ticket sales are available through August 31st. Call or see the website for details.
     Ms. Keel will also be doing book signings at Nebraska Bookstore in Lincoln (Wednesday, September 8, at 5:30 p.m.) and at Prairie Books in Hastings (Friday, September 10, 11 a.m.) during her stay in Nebraska.
     Visit www.texandmary.com for more information or contact MusicFest producers for a free festival information packet: 903-467-9545, texschutz@aol.com.

Monday, August 9, 2010

PRESS RELEASE (For release before Sept. 8, 2010. To interview George Hamilton IV, call 615-289-0992 or 615-661-7761).

Grand Ole Opry Star George Hamilton IV Headlines 2010 MusicFest
     Producers of the annual Miles of Memories Country MusicFest announce an impressive line-up of entertainers--as well as three days of music, fun and fellowship--for their 2010 country music extravaganza scheduled for September 9, 10 and 11 at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings, Nebraska.
Headline performers include Grand Ole Opry star George Hamilton IV, Roger Tibbs (top country singer from New Zealand), Elton Flodman (country and pop crooner from Nebraska), Margie LeBlanc (Brenda Lee-style singer from Texas), German banjo virtuoso Andy Glandt, and festival hosts Tex & Mary Schutz, former Nebraskans now based in Texas. A recent addition to the line-up is the US Navy’s bluegrass/country band called “Country Current.” Other featured performers include Buck Helton, cowboy singer from Texas; yodeler Paul Belanger from New Hampshire; guitar stylist Charley Groth from Florida, the Stranger Creek Band from Kansas City and several regional performers.
     Attendees at the seventh annual Miles of Memories Country MusicFest will be treated to old-time country music concerts, theme shows, dances and learning sessions. Theme shows include tributes to country greats, gospel music shows, a patriotic music show honoring World War II and other veterans, a showcase of young entertainers, a program about country music around the world, a study of songs about Texas, another about bluegrass music and its country roots, plus gospel and patriotic music shows. Dances will feature the Miles of Memories Band with steel guitarist Curt Shoemaker from Ionia, Kansas; and keyboard artist Maynard Zipf from North Platte, Nebraska. Learning sessions cover such subjects as songwriting ,studies of various stringed instruments, and glimpses of American traditional music as it is done in other parts of the world. There’s even a session with Judy Keel as she discusses the book she wrote about her husband, the late western film star Howard Keel.
     “We’re blending strong American country music with a touch of international flavor, and bringing together a group of performers that embraces a wide spectrum of roots music for our country-loving fans,” said festival producer Mary Schutz. “This year’s event promises to be the best ever, with an even stronger cast of characters than in years past.”
     Headliner George Hamilton IV, who recently celebrated 50 years wtih The Grand Ole Opry, is known for such tunes as “Abilene,” “Break My Mind,” “A Rose and a Baby Ruth,” and many more hits. In addition to being one of the first performers to cross over from pop and folk music to country, Hamilton has developed a strong following in Europe and is known as the “International Ambassador of Country Music.” He earned that title when he became the first artist to perform in The Soviet Union and what is now The Czech Republic. He continues to perform across Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Africa, the Orient, Australia and the Middle East. Hamilton is featured each evening of the MusicFest and will participate in theme shows as well, one on international country music and two featuring gospel music.
Roger Tibbs is one of New Zealand’s top traditional country singers and performs regularly on their “That’s Country” television series. A guest performer at the 2008 Calgary Stampede, Tibbs is a country crooner in the strongest sense and embellishes many of his tunes with his trademark yodeling. Tibbs will be featured in several concerts and theme shows, including one on yodeling.
     German banjoist Andy Glandt was raised behind the Iron Curtain but taught himself to play the banjo and even picked up a few American bluegrass standards. His programs combine original tunes with old-time and folk music from Germany and other European countries as well. Glandt will perform various concerts, participate in several theme shows and will conduct a learning session about music behind the Iron Curtain.
     The Navy’s “Country Current” band, which was just recently added to the MusicFest schedule, is a seven-member ensemble that tours the country each year in support of Navy recruiting. They’ll be performing a program of traditional and patriotic music on Friday at 5 p.m.
     “Folks who join us at the MusicFest, whether for a few hours or all weekend, develop a lasting musical friendship that is renewed when everyone comes together again the next year,” said Schutz. “The Miles of Memories MusicFest is definitely an addictive experience that brings lots of musical riches to those who attend.”
     All activities, which begin each day at 10 a.m. (theme shows), 1 p.m.(concerts), 7 p.m. (concerts) and 10 p.m.(dances) are held indoors in the climate-controlled facilities of the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings, Nebraska. A full schedule of MusicFest activities can be found at www.texandmary.com or by calling 903-467-9545.
    There are more than 400 RV sites with electricity (plus water and a dump station on the grounds). Camping is $12 per night, Wednesday through Saturday. There are plenty of motels nearby for non-RVers. Check the website for cooperating motels.
     Admission at the door is $45 for a three-day festival pass, or $20 per day, $12 for an afternoon-only pass and $15 for an evening-only pass (after 5 p.m.). Youngsters age 13-17 receive half-price admission and those 12 and under are admitted free. Discounted advance ticket sales are available through August 31st. Call or see the website for details.
     Hosts Tex & Mary Schutz are long-time country music entertainers who perform at festivals, resorts, rallies and community concerts across the United States, and on the Midwest Country Show on RFD-TV.
     Visit www.texandmary.com for more information or contact the producers for a free information packet: 903-467-9545, texschutz@aol.com.

(Contact: Mary Schutz, 903-467-9545, texschutz@aol.com)