May 29, 2018
Grammy-winning Artist Lee Greenwood kicked off Memorial Day weekend Thursday night at the Intrepid Foundation Gala on the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, Friday morning on the Fox & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series, and Sunday performed “God Bless the U.S.A” at Charlotte Motor Speedway during NASCAR’S Coca-Cola 600. This year’s awe-inspiring pre-race salute to the troops included ground exhibitions and a 20-minute performance by the 82nd Airborne division.
“I’m blessed and honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of our great nation who serve and sacrifice daily to defend our freedom,” said Greenwood.
Tim Atwood‘s forthcoming solo album, Livin The Dream, features the patriotic anthem, “I’ll Stand Up and Say So” which has an equally patriotic story behind it.
In 2017, shortly after performing “I’ll Stand Up and Say So” at one his shows, Tim was gifted a memorial bracelet by an endearing fan. The bracelet was in honorarium of Capt. William D. Grimm, a U.S. Airman who was killed in action during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. The fan had worn the bracelet continuously for 26 years, and confided that she wanted to pass the bracelet along to Tim to keep Capt. Grimm’s memory alive. Through tear-filled eyes, she told Tim, “It’s time I share this bracelet with you…and it’s time you share Capt. Grimm’s memory with the world.”
“I haven’t taken this bracelet off since I received it,” said Atwood. “Our son served two tours in Iraq in the U.S. Army and came home a Purple Heart Veteran–injured during service. It is by the grace of God that he returned home alive. When I look down at this Memorial bracelet, I am reminded at how close my son came to losing his own life in combat. We owe everything to the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms. Thank you–two little words, but they speak volumes.”
Patrick James Band is also readying his debut solo album, Ride Of A Lifetime, with the first single from the project – the inspiring “Thank You.” Patrick says it’s a song of gratitude for everyone in uniform who has fought to protect our freedoms. He just wanted to thank them personally with a song.
“I always wanted to write something to thank them for what they do; fighting for our freedoms we enjoy. You know, you and I are sitting here today because a lot of people lost their lives for it,” Patrick explains. “To live in the country that we live in, to be able to express ourselves, to be able to live our dreams, that came with a heavy price. I wanted to write a song to all the military and first responders who fight and protect our freedom. Thank you!”
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Suggested Tweet:
.@TheLeeGreenwood, @timatwoodmusic & @PatrickJamesBnd celebrate #MemorialDay sharing video tributes to those who serve
May 7, 2018
Tim Atwood has played behind some of the greatest country music performers of all time. For 38 years he played in the staff band at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, performing alongside everyone from Garth Brooks to Carrie Underwood to Jeannie Seely. Over those years Atwood developed a reputation as one of the most polished and energetic performers to claim that stage.
In 2018, Atwood takes a step back into center stage as a solo artist, where his star is shining brighter than ever. The Opry veteran is managing a busy live show schedule, with television appearances, radio interviews, and readying his third solo album – appropriately titled Livin’ The Dream – due out this summer, independently.
As Atwood explained it, the first track he recorded for Livin’ The Dream was “Mom,” a heartfelt piano ballad he dedicates to all Moms everywhere, but especially to his own.
“When I produced my new album Livin’ The Dream, the first song I recorded for the project was ‘Mom’. Although I never heard her complain, I came to understand that my mom sacrificed living her own dreams, so that I could live mine. By every definition she was the epitome of unconditional love. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss her. Today I’m Living The Dream for us both. Thank you, Mom!”
On a recent appearance on RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner, Atwood performed the piano ballad, and explained the context behind the song’s meaning. Click here to watch the live performance of “Mom” or listen on SoundCloud.
Atwood was also a recent winner of the Musician of the Year award from the Academy of Western Music. He also won Entertainer of the Year at the R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) Awards, where he was nominated among some of the most beloved artists in the format, like Gene Watson, Rhonda Vincent and Jeannie Seely.
Needless to say, it’s a busy time for Tim Atwood – and he’s grateful for every bit of it.
“I am a blessed man, and I know it” Atwood humbly states. “I’m not sure where this journey will take me, but one thing is for sure. I am enjoying the ride.”
Learn more at timatwood.com.
Follow Tim on Facebook: facebook.com/TimAtwoodOfficial
and Twitter: twitter.com/timatwoodmusic
Tim Atwood On Tour:
May 13 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
May 20 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
May 24 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
May 25 Private Event / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 02 Grinder’s Switch Radio Show / Centerville, Tenn.
Jun 02 Hendersonville Main Street Porch Fest / Hendersonville, Tenn.
Jun 03 Cowboy Church / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 03 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 05 Moore & Moore Fan Club Party / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 06 ROPE LUNCHEON @ Nashville Palace / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 06 Country For A Cause @ 3rd and Lindsley / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 10 Sunday Morning Country @ Grand Ole Opry / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 10 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 17 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Jun 20 Barnyard Jamboree / Alexander City, Ala.
Jun 21 The Front Porch on WACX-TV / Alexander City, Ala.
Jun 21 Gospel Jubilee on Kowaliga Country 97.5 FM WKGA / Alexander City, Ala.
Jun 23 DUELING PIANOS – TIM ATWOOD & CHRISSY SPARKS
Spike’s Sports Bar & Grille / Crossville, Tenn.
Jun 24 DUELING PIANOS – TIM ATWOOD & CHRISSY SPARKS
Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Jul 01 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Jul 07 Ohio Opry / Keepin’ It Country Farm / Waynesville, Ohio
Jul 11 Private Event / Carrollton, Ga.
Jul 13 JEANNIE SEELY & TIM ATWOOD / Renfro Valley, Ky.
Jul 15 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Jul 16 Private Event / Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Jul 17 Private Event / Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Jul 20 Spike’s Sports Bar & Grille / Crossville, Tenn.
July 22 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Jul 26 Gospel Event / Okemah, Okla.
Jul 29 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Aug 02 JEANNIE SEELY & TIM ATWOOD @ Music Ranch / Livingston, Mt.
Aug 05 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Aug 09 Spike’s Sports Bar & Grille / Crossville, Tenn.
Aug 12 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Aug 16-17 Tan Turtle Tavern / Northeast Harbor, Maine
Aug 18 Countrygrass Music Festival / Jefferson, Maine
Aug 22 Wilson County Fair / Lebanon, Tenn.
Aug 24 TIM ATWOOD & FRIENDS @ Wilson County Fair / Lebanon, Tenn.
Aug 26 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Sep 02 TIM ATWOOD LABOR DAY BASH @ Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Sep 09 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Sep 14 DUELING PIANOS – TIM ATWOOD & CHRISSY SPARKS
Spike’s Sports Bar & Grille / Crossville, Tenn.
Sep 16 DUELING PIANOS – TIM ATWOOD & CHRISSY SPARKS
Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Sep 23 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Sep 30 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Oct 06 Llano Country Opry / Llano, Texas
Oct 11 Private Event / Birmingham, Ala.
Oct 14 Genuine Country Music Association Benefit @ Tan Tar-a Resort / Osage Beach, Mo.
Oct 21 Two Rivers Campground / Nashville, Tenn.
Oct 26 TV Taping / Champaign, Ill.
Oct 27 Champaign Opry / Champaign, Ill.
Oct 28 Benefit for St. Jude Benefit @ Countryside Banquet Facility / Washington, Ill.
Nov 09 Spike’s Sports Bar & Grille / Crossville, Tenn.
Nov 11 Gospel Show @ Living Springs Baptist Church / Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
Nov 17 Private Event / Oklahoma City, Okla.
Dec 01 Christmas Show@ Wheeling Jamboree / Wheeling, W.Va.
Jan 27-Feb. 3, 2019 THE COUNTRY MUSIC CRUISE / Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Enter code: TIMFAN to receive a discount
www.countrymusiccruise.com
Feb 10-17, 2019 The Keepin’ It Country Farm Cruise / New Orleans, La.
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Suggested Tweet:
.@timatwoodmusic previews new track “Mom” for #MothersDay, the first song from new album #LivinTheDream, out Summer 2018.
Mar 19, 2018
I am a great believer in luck, and over time I have discovered that the harder I work, the luckier I am. Case in point: 2018 was my second year in a row to entertain on board the big Country Music Cruise sponsored by Time Life…and I’m booked back to perform on the 2019 Cruise! Now THAT, my friends, is a run of good luck!
The 2018 Cruise was so much fun. I had a blast! While most of America was digging out from blizzard-like conditions, we set sail out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on January 27 for seven days of surf, sand, sun and country music. The entire ship is chartered, so I was on board with 2,000 country music fans who quickly became 2,000 country music friends.
Country, bluegrass and gospel music are performed in every theatre and lounge throughout the ship. Often times, a variety of shows are going on simultaneously, so it’s up to the passengers to decide who they want to see perform and when they want to see them. You can do everything, or you can sit back and do nothing at all. But who can sit back when you’re on board with Alabama, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Lorrie Morgan, Lacy J. Dalton, Bobby Bare, Jim Stafford, T Graham Brown, Wade Hayes, Chuck Meade and so many other cool cats? It truly is the biggest country music party of the year…and I’m honored to be a part of it.
Every night I performed a dueling piano show with my dueling partner Chrissy Sparks. I’m not sure who had more fun—our audience or me and Chrissy. In addition to the dueling pianos, I was asked to perform the Tribute To Bakersfield Show with Chuck Meade. I was also contracted to perform on the Sunday Morning Gospel Show in the 1,100 seat theatre hosted by Larry Gatlin. I was touched beyond belief when the audience jumped to their feet after one of my songs. Singing about the good Lord has a way of moving people and touching hearts.
When I initially boarded the ship, I have to admit, my heart was heavy. I was supposed to perform two shows on board with Jeannie Seely. Jeannie, as most of you know–besides being a tremendous songwriter, 50 year member of the Grand Ole Opry and Grammy Award winner–is my friend and champion. Talk about being lucky! Just days before we began our journey south, Jeannie had to cancel the cruise because her husband Gene Ward was gravely ill. Jeannie’s place was by Gene’s side. When I left Nashville, I wondered if I would ever see Gene again in this lifetime…but Gene is a fighter, and today—with the support of great doctors, family and friends—Gene is regaining his strength, and soon he should be out on the road again with Jeannie. I look forward to that day.
I performed the show Jeannie and I do together, as a solo artist—just me and my piano. I wondered if anyone would come to the show, but it was standing room only for both rounds. Again, I am a fortunate man.
During the first set, I sang The Little Kid Song—a song I’ve performed regularly on my show since I first saw Jim Stafford perform it on The Captain & Tennille TV show over thirty-five years ago. Now, I am rarely a man at a loss for words, but somewhere in the middle of my song, I looked to my left and there was Jim Stafford standing six feet away from me with a smile on his face and his hands on his hips. It was a surreal moment.
I stopped singing and the crowd howled. Before I sang the song, I had explained to the audience that this was Jim’s song, and he was on board ship, but I was positive he wasn’t at my show, so I was going to sing it for them anyway. Wow! Was I ever wrong. Jim was there! We all had a great laugh. I finished the song, and after it was over Jim said he had forgotten that he had written a third verse to the song. He was going to put that song back in his own show!
Truthfully, this week at sea, is one of the most fun times I’ve ever had. It really is about making friendships based on the common denominator of a love for country music. In 2019 (January 10-February 3) I’ll be entertaining alongside Jeff Foxworthy, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Joe Diffie, Jimmy Fortune, Shenandoah, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Jeannie Seely, The Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Lee, TG Sheppard, Wade Hayes, Chuck Meade and other country greats. This is the biggest country blowout yet! Check out the website at countrymusiccruise.com and come sail with us.
If you do decide to join us, use the code TIMFAN as you book your cruise. I get a brownie point from the powers that be, and you’ll get a cruise discount if you book now.
When the six feet of snow and bone chilling winds of January set in, we’ll be chilling in the 80 degree temps and basking in the sunshine thinking just how lucky we really are. Again that old saying: The harder I work, the luckier I am!
