Today, multi-platinum country music group, Lonestar, announced what it is calling "Open Enrollment" for their not-so-traditional Fan Club Party during the 2008 CMA Music Festival.

In recent years, the Lonestar Fan Club Party was only open to members. This year that isn't the case. There is an expected 300 "Open Enrollment" seats for this year's recently dubbed "Lonestar Network Open Enrollment Party." Lonestar calls the new approach, "their network." Current members will have the opportunity to attend through a member giveaway while tickets last.

"We are making so many changes in our business, our music and the way we approach our music" says Lonestar's Keech Rainwater. "We felt that it was only fair to open up our Fan Club Party to everyone!"

Those in attendance for this year's Fan Club Party can expect noticeable changes ascompared to parties in the past. There will be an intimate setting where fans will hear the latest music from Lonestar with a crowd-rocking electric show, learn about the band's current and upcoming plans, and experience up-close and personal interaction with the band during a very special question and answer session where the band will ask the fans the questions!

The "Lonestar Network Open Enrollment Party" is set for Wednesday, June 4th at4:00pm at Rocketown in Nashville, Tennessee. Tickets are available for purchase now at http://www.lonestarnow.com/

Labels: Lonestar

In just nine days since ticket sales began, the fourth annual "Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids," bowling bash, presented by GAC, and benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, has sold out.

This year, Lonestar's St. Jude bowling bash will be held on Monday, June 2nd at the Hermitage Lanes in Hermitage, Tennessee. Lonestar called on some of their friends, some of the biggest names in country music, to join them for the annual event. Those scheduled to bowl with Lonestar include Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, American Idol's Bo Bice, Josh Gracin and Diana DeGarmo, Trent Tomlinson, Joe Nichols, Jamie O'Neal, Darryl Worley, Chuck Wicks, Bryan White, Chris Young, Ty Herndon, Heidi Newfield and Crystal Shawanda.

This year's sell-out marks the fourth consecutive year the event has been a major success. Since Lonestar founded the annual event in 2004, it has sold out every year and has generated more than $70,000 for St. Jude.

"Knowing that this thing is already sold out is huge!" says Lonestar's founding member, Dean Sams. "I've got a gut feeling that this year's proceeds will beat out everything we've raised in the past!"

Those that have already purchased their tickets will be admitted into the event, enjoy dinner at the Hermitage Lanes and will be included in the random drawing for a chance to play on one of the celebrity bowling teams. For each artist in attendance, four lucky fans will be drawn at random to play in the games with their favorite country music stars.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to place bids in a silent auction, which will include signed photos, CD’s and merchandise from some of the biggest stars in country music!

The "Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids" bowling bash is scheduled for 6-10 p.m. (CST) with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. (CST).

Labels: Lonestar

Cracker Barrel stores and multi-platinum recording group Lonestar have combined authentic country music with the joys of Christmas this holiday season. The result is a new CD titled "My Christmas List" and places another exclusive recording in Cracker Barrel's growing collection of quality country music.

On sale November 6th at all Cracker Barrel locations and online at crackerbarrel.com, "My Christmas List" features eleven newly recorded songs and Lonestar's new lead singer, Cody Collins. In addition to Christmas classics like the CD features two new songs.

"I think this Christmas CD is very special in that it has more of our heart and soul collectively as a band than ever before," said drummer Keech Rainwater. "It features great Christmas songs arranged and recorded in a powerful and unique way."

The "Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Presents Lonestar's My Christmas List Tour" begins November 29th in Dubuque, Iowa. The tour also includes shows in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and North Carolina.

Since forming in 1992, Lonestar has scored 17 hit singles on the Billboard chart, including ten #1 hits and has sold more than ten million records. Three of their CDs went platinum, including 1999's Lonely Grill which went triple-platinum. More success followed in 2003 when "My Front Porch Looking In" was named Billboard's "Most Played Country Song of the Year."

Labels: Lonestar

Joe Nichols earned three major nominations from the Christian Country Music Association for the 13th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards. The ICM Awards will be held at Nashville's historic Acuff Theater on Sunday, November 4.

Joe's "I'll Wait For You" is nominated for Song of the Year and Video of The Year. He's also up for Mainstream Country Artist of the Year, along with fellow multiple nominees Alan Jackson, Josh Turner, Blue County and Martina McBride, who received two noms each. Blue County's "I Get To" is up for Song of the Year, while Martina's clip for "Anyway" earned her a Video of the Year nod. Alan's other honor is in the Album of the Year category for his Precious Memories CD, while Josh scored a Songwriter of the Year nod.

In addition, Randy Travis is up for Mainstream Country Artist of the Year, and Trent Tomlinson's "One Wing in the Fire" is among the Song of the Year nominees. Videos for Lonestar's "Mountains," Emerson Drive's "Moments" and Jamie O'Neal's "God Don't Make Mistakes" each got a Video of the Year nod.

Labels: Alan Jackson, Emerson Drive, Joe Nichols, Josh Turner, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Randy Travis