Every year the world of country music comes together at the annual CMA Music Festival in Nashville.  According toBillboard, “This year was no different as sweltering temperatures and a sluggish economy could not stop fans from setting new attendance records. The 39th annual event drew an estimated 65,000 fans daily during its run June 10-13, and for the first time in its history, LP Field sold out of its four-day passes and single-night tickets to each of the venue’s star-packed concerts. The stadium is configured for 49,000 attendees.”  This represents a 16.7% increase.

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As a follow up to an earlier post, American Idol continues to produce Heartland grown winners.  2010 winner, Lee DeWyze hails from Mt. Prospect, Illinois, making him the 8^th winner (out of 9) to come from a Heartland state.  Runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, is from Eliston, Ohio. 

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Reba McEntire Becoming a Norwegian Godmother

 

 

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 In a recent Ad Age article by Tom Martin, the basic concepts of advertising are challenged.  The author and ad agency exec explains why “I’m quitting the ad game.”  His frustration with traditional advertising and its status quo concepts and approach is evident and well founded.

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Merlefest 2010, Presented by Lowe's, Exceeds Expectations

by DigitalRodeo.com

While MerleFest 2010, presented by Lowe’s, is now officially another one for the history books, initial figures show that aggregate attendance over the festival’s four days exceeded 76,000 people, who attended the celebration of “traditional plus” music on the campus of Wilkes Community College from Thursday, April 29 to Sunday, May 2. MerleFest is the primary fund-raiser for the college and funds scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs. 

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