Telethon helps Nashville 'keep on playin' after flood![]() testing captions At times, Sunday's three-hour telethon, "Music City: Keep on Playin'," felt like a community theater production of "Our Town." There were audio glitches. Missed cues. Moments when the hosts stared blankly into the camera lens while nothing happened. Yet that was part of the telecast's charm, because in many ways, it WAS a community production - where citizens participated in a homegrown effort to raise money for victims of the Nashville flood. The show emanated from the city's historic Ryman Auditorium, with the Grand Ole Opry set as a backdrop, and aired live on GAC. The hosts were actors James Denton and Kimberly Williams-Paisley - he, a former Nashville resident, and she, a current one. Kim's husband, Brad Paisley, kicked things off on a hopeful note with his recent hit, "Welcome to the Future." At the end of the song, Paisley looked up toward the balcony and said, "My wife's up there...we're going to donate $100,000. Is that okay?" Kim looked surprised and quipped, "Wow. Well, I didn't need that new purse." FULL POST Jane Lynch: Love for animals made me a better person
Jane Lynch has signed up for a move that her “Glee" alter-ego, Sue Sylvester, might not have made: she’s serving as a pitch woman for PETA. She’s the latest celebrity to team up with the organization to encourage spaying and neutering in order to curtail animal overpopulation. Other celebs who have worked with the organization include Carrie Ann Inaba, Simon Cowell, Patricia Arquette and Mickey Rourke. In Lynch’s spot, she’s targeting people who carelessly breed dogs and cats in a quirky campaign for the animal rights group. Faith Hill, Tim McGraw to spearhead benefit for flood recovery in Tennessee![]() testing captions (CNN) - Country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill announced Monday they will spearhead a benefit concert for flood recovery at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, next month. "On Tuesday, June 22nd, the Music City community will unite to assist victims of the floods that ravaged Nashville and Middle Tennessee earlier this month," McGraw and Hill said in a news release. Tickets are to go on sale May 14 and are to be priced between $25 and $75. The concert is to include "numerous other artists," the release said. FULL POST Celebs hope to STOMP out problems![]() testing captions Torn between fashion and philanthropy? Fret no longer! Australia Luxe Collective, known for its upscale boots, has signed up some 45 celebrities for its STOMP campaign to raise money and awareness for charities dealing with global causes. You can direct a percentage of the purchase price on a pair of Luxe boots to the charity of your choice, or bid on a signed pair in one of the online auctions taking place over the next few months. Celebs who've signed on include:
The campaign's goal is to issue $75,000 in funds across the celebrity-endorsed charities by July 4. Hey – if you're going to walk the walk of charitable giving, why not do it in fancy footwear? Tim McGraw: A 'Southern voice' for the troopsTim McGraw is no stranger to philanthropy. The Grammy-winning country star has done benefit concerts and other charity work for years, and in 2004, he and wife Faith Hill founded Neighbor's Keeper, which funds local organizations assisting communities in need. The latest recipient of his determination to help is Operation Homefront, which supports U.S. troops, veterans and their families. McGraw has recorded a public service announcement for the non-profit, and T-shirt sales on his current "Southern Voice" tour will benefit the group. McGraw's tour sponsor, Outback Steakhouse, is spearheading the campaign, pledging $1 million to the organization. It's hardly the first time Outback has dished up support for the military: over the past eight years, the restaurant chain has provided meals to more than 150,000 U.S. troops around the world. That's a lot of Bloomin' Onions! If you're moved to add your voice to theirs, you can donate directly by texting "HERO" to 50555. Ludacris helps students get a 'Step' ahead![]() testing captions $1.5 million in scholarships is at stake, and some college students seeking a share are just steps away – literally. Fraternities and sororities from around the U.S. have been taking part in the Sprite Step Off, a national step competition hosted by rapper/actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, who's also a producer behind the contest and the resulting MTV2 documentary series. It's the biggest step competition in history, and the finalists will square off in Atlanta for a shot at the top prize: $100,000 in college scholarships. |
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