Gaylord Entertainment and Grand Ole Opry Partner with Country Music Artists to Make $250,000 Donation
June 20, 2003
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 2003--
`Our Country' Stars Earmark Gift to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Gaylord Entertainment and the Grand Ole Opry will present a $250,000 check to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of the artists who performed in the film 'Our Country.' Prior to initial production of the film, the country stars opted unanimously to direct the donation to St. Jude in their name in lieu of compensation for their appearances. Alabama's Randy Owen, a long-time supporter of St. Jude, and Colin Reed, president and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, will present the check to Teri Watson, director of radio and entertainment marketing for St. Jude, at the world premiere of 'Our Country' on Wednesday, June 25, at the Regal Opry Mills IMAX Theatre in Nashville.
"St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is tremendously appreciative of the generosity from the artists who participated in 'Our Country,'" Watson said. "To be the recipient of this wonderful gift is a testament to the continuing support of the country music industry. On behalf of the children of St. Jude, we say, 'Thank you!'"
"Gaylord Entertainment and the Grand Ole Opry are pleased to make this gift on behalf of country music's finest performers to an outstanding children's research hospital like St. Jude," Reed said. "Gaylord and the Opry are delighted to make such a meaningful contribution as we unveil this very entertaining country music film."
'Our Country,' a film celebrating the heritage of country music and filled with performances by country music's most recognizable stars, will debut to audiences on June 27 in Nashville and later this summer nationwide in other large-format theatres. Steven Goldmann with the Collective directed the majority of the film, which traces the growth of country music as it mirrored key events in the social and political development of America. Featured artists in the film include: Alabama, Asleep at the Wheel, Guy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Radney Foster, Vince Gill, Eric Heatherly, Alan Jackson, Hal Ketchum, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Lyle Lovett, Loretta Lynn, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood and Dwight Yoakam, among others. Keith Melton provided additional direction, and Tom Neff produced, along with co-producers Susan Bowman and Thom Oliphant of the Collective. Neff also wrote the script, which is narrated by Hal Holbrook, and Randy Scruggs provided the original score and music production.
Country artists have a long history of supporting the work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Randy Owen founded the Country Cares for St. Jude program, where country artists visit the children of St. Jude and also support the hospital through radio-thons that include artists' testimonials and public service announcements as well as celebrity merchandise auctions.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatment not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fund-raising organization. For more information, visit www.stjude.org.
About Gaylord Entertainment
Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn., owns and operates Gaylord Hotels branded properties, including the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville and the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., and the Radisson Hotel Opryland in Nashville. The company's entertainment brands include the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, the General Jackson Showboat, the Springhouse Golf Club, the Wildhorse Saloon and WSM-AM. For more information about the company, visit www.gaylordentertainment.com.
CONTACT: Gaylord Entertainment, Nashville Jim Brown, 615/316-6302 [email protected] or Karen Byrd Public Relations Karen Byrd, 615/595-1500 [email protected]
SOURCE: Gaylord Entertainment