Information for Release
GRAND OLE OPRY PERFORMANCES BY
RASCAL FLATTS AND SARA EVANS
TO BE SHOWCASED ON
“MDA SHOW OF STRENGTH TELETHON”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (August 26, 2014) – The Grand Ole Opry is set to be showcased this weekend when the MDA Show of Strength Telethon airs Opry performances by Opry members Rascal Flatts (“My Wish”) and RCA recording artist Sara Evans (“A Little Bit Stronger”). The long-standing Labor Day Weekend telethon, which helps provide life-enhancing support and services for the families it serves, will air on Sun., Aug. 31, at 9/8 EST/CT on the ABC Television Network.
Past Opry performances on the telethon have included Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride and Darius Rucker, among others.
About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of people with muscle disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit www.mda.org, follow on at facebook.com/MDAnational or @MDAnews.
About Rascal Flatts
Superstars Rascal Flatts (Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney) have once again proven why they are the most-awarded Country group of the past decade with the release of their ninth studio album REWIND (Big Machine Records) debuting at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The achievement garners them the distinction of being one of only four acts during the SoundScan era to have eight consecutive studio albums debut in the top spot. Since their musical introduction in 2000, they have sold over 22.8 million albums and over 29 million digital downloads. Their Gold-certified title track marks Rascal Flatts 15th #1 hit single while “Payback” continues to climb the charts. Spearheaded by Jay DeMarcus, members of Rascal Flatts co-produced more than half of the album with acclaimed producers Howard Benson and Dann Huff contributing to several of the tracks. The Target deluxe includes “Compass,” which is featured in the Sony Pictures film “Heaven Is For Real,” based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same name. Rascal Flatts has earned over 40 trophies from the ACAs, ACMs, AMAs, CMAs, People's Choice Awards and more. In 2012, Rascal Flatts reached a new career milestone with over 7 million concert tickets sold and are currently on their 35-city REWIND Tour 2014, featuring special guest Sheryl Crow with opening act Gloriana. For tour dates and more, visit RascalFlatts.com.
About Sara Evans
Sara Evans released her seventh studio album Slow Me Down in March, which debuted at #2 on the Country Album Chart and landed in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, and continues to win over fans and media alike being dubbed her best album to date. It is the follow-up album to 2011’s Stronger and was co-produced with Mark Bright (Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood) who Evans last worked with on her Platinum-selling #1 Country album Real Fine Place (2005). Evans’ signature powerful vocals are heard on every note of Slow Me Down which serves as a reminder of why she has had a level of success reserved for few. Evans is enjoying a prolific recording career with nearly 6 million records sold and 5 #1 Country singles, including “Suds In The Bucket, “A Real Fine Place To Start,” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” which spent 2 weeks at #1 and was certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A. Evans has garnered numerous accolades over the course of her stellar career, including the Academy of Country Music's Top Female Vocalist honor and the Country Music Association's Video of the Year for her hit chart-topping single, "Born to Fly" from her double-platinum album of the same name. Named to People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," Sara's career also includes the Platinum-selling studio albums Real Fine Place and Restless, the Gold-certified No Place That Far and the double-Platinum selling Born To Fly.
About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating 89 years of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America’s Opry Weekend, airs on country radio stations across America. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.
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