Iconic country/pop band Exile will perform on the 4th annual The Stars Go Blue benefit concert, Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 pm at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville. There will be a special appearance by Trace Adkins and proceeds from the event benefit the Blue Note Fund, a Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) program designed to provide financial assistance to colon cancer patients in need.

The concert event and Blue Note Fund are the brainchild of Grammy-nominated producer, artist and musician Charlie Kelley who was diagnosed with colon cancer after a routine screening at age 40. Within months of his successful surgery and treatment, Kelley began working to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of the disease as well as funding for those going through treatment. He joined the board of the CCA and created the Blue Note Fund – an off shoot of The Stars Go Blue concert event – which puts money directly into the pockets of those in treatment for colon cancer. “When you’re fighting cancer, the last thing you want to think about is a bill you can’t pay,” says Kelley. “The Blue Note Fund is our way to help others who are going through tough emotional and financial times.” To date the fund has awarded $125,000 to 400 patients in need.

Adkins, a longtime fan of the band Exile, recently got together with the group to re-record one of their signature No. 1 hits, “Kiss You All Over,” for Hit Exchange, a television special created in part by Kelley, that aired on Great American Country. “It’s more than obvious that Trace and Exile have a mutual respect and chemistry and that certainly translates to the stage,” Kelley said. “I’m thrilled that Exile and Trace are generously giving their time and talents to our fourth concert event.”

Tickets for The Stars Go Blue are $100.00 per person and include the intimate concert at the Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater, a VIP cocktail reception and auction after the concert. For tickets or more information, log on to www.bluenotefund.org. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 222 5th Ave. S. in downtown Nashville. Sponsors of the event include Lamar Brothers Productions, Nagy Guitars, Amgen and Genentech.

About the Colon Cancer Alliance:

The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is the oldest and largest national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. In order to increase rates of screening and survivorship, the CCA provides patient support, public education, supports research and conducts advocacy work across America. www.ccalliance.org

Produced and directed by Mike “Mouse” McCoy and Scott Waugh and written by Kurt Johnstad, Act of Valor takes audiences into the secretive world of the most elite, highly-trained force in the modern world as the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S. Inspired by true events, the film combines combat sequences, battlefield technology and heart-pounding emotion.

The track listing for the soundtrack includes Keith’s “For You,” “Guide You Home” (Sugarland), “I Was Here” (Lady Antebellum), “If the Sun Comes Up” (Trace Adkins), “Two Soldiers Coming Home” (Lori McKenna), “The Best I Can” (Jake Owen), “What It Takes”(Montgomery Gentry), “The Best of Me” (Josh Kelley), “Where We Left Off” (Hunter Hayes) and “Whatever Brings You Back” (Wynonna Judd).

The Act of Valor soundtrack is available for pre-order on iTunes now.

Trace Adkins has added Ryman Auditorium to the list of theaters he will visit on his recently announced SONGS & STORIES TOUR. On May 18, Trace will host a “homecoming” of sorts at the historic venue, as he plays in Nashville, the city he’s called home for the past twenty years as a Country hitmaker.

Though a veteran performer who has graced the Ryman stage during Grand Ole Opry performances and special events in the past, this upcoming date will be the first time Adkins has performed a full-band performance at the venue. As with all the shows on the Songs & Stories Tour, intimate performances will incorporate stories, both humorous and meaningful, that pay homage to Adkins’ working-man roots and rich musical heritage.

Tickets for The Ryman performance go onsale to fan club members on Monday, 1/30 and to the public on Friday, 2/3. A full list of dates and ticket info is below.

Inspiration for the SONGS & STORIES TOUR came as Trace released his 10th studio album, Proud To Be Here, last summer with a CMT Invitation Only special. The special featured new hits “Just Fishin’” and “Million Dollar View,” a Q&A session and the most-loved songs from Adkins’ twenty year career. The taping was so fun for Trace and his guests that he began laying plans for a tour.

“The point of this Tour is to get together and share meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ – it’s the Country music tradition. The Ryman Auditorium also plays a very important role in the tradition of this genre, so it’s fitting that we would play this stage on this particular tour.”

Fans can share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives on the Songs & Stories page at www.traceadkins.com.

From humble beginnings as a small-town Louisiana roughneck, to a Country super star with a twenty year career of hits, to his recent roles as outspoken author and actor, Adkins’ life parallels the songs he sings. His albums showcase a range of earnest tributes and party anthems with humor and depth – the Songs & Stories Tour promises to offer the same.

See the CMT performance that inspired the SONGS & STORIES TOUR:

TICKET ON-SALE DATES:

· March dates on sale now

· April & May dates go on sale to public on Friday, 2/3. (Fan club pre-sale begins Mon. 1/30).

SONGS & STORIES TOUR DATES (MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED):

March 8     Des Moines IA     Hoyt Sherman

March 9     Kansas City MO    Midland Theater by AMC

March 10    Peoria IL         Civic Theater

March 15    Milwaukee WI      Riverside Theater

March 16    Rochester MN      Mayo Civic Theater

March 17    Grand Forks ND    Chester Fritz Auditorium  * Fan presale 1/30, public on-sale 2/3

March 22    Birmingham AL     Alabama Theatre

April 12    Ashland KY        Paramount Arts Center

April 14    Toledo OH         Stranahan Theater

April 18   Louisville, KY  The Palace Theater

April 19    Spartanburg SC    Memorial Hall

April 20    Charlotte NC      Ovens Auditorium

April 25    Denver CO         Paramount  Theater *fan presale 1/23, public on-sale 1/27

April 27    Salinas KS        Stiefel Theater

April 28    Tulsa OK          Brady Theater

May 3       N. Charleston SC  North Charleston Performing Arts Center

May 4       Savannah GA       Mercer Theater *fan presale 1/30, public on 2/10

May 10      Davenport IA      Adler Theatre

May 11      South Bend IN     Morris PAC *fan presale 1/30, public on-sale 2/4

May 12      Memphis TN        Orpheum Theatre *fan presale 1/23, public on-sale 1/27

May 17      Atlanta GA        Cobb Theater

May 18     Nashville, TN    Ryman Auditorium

Trace Adkins announced the SONGS & STORIES TOUR, which will visit many of America’s mostbeautiful theaters this Spring. These intimate evenings of powerfulperformances will incorporate stories, both humorous and meaningful, that pay homage to Adkins’ working-man roots and rich musical heritage. Tickets forMarch dates go on sale to the public on Friday (1/27), more dates are expectedto be added. A full list of dates and ticket info is below.

Inspiration for the SONGS &STORIES TOUR came as Trace released his 10th studio album, Proud To Be Here, last summer with a CMT Invitation Only special. The special featured new hits“Just Fishin’” and “Million Dollar View,” a Q&A session and the most-loved songs from Adkins’ twenty year career. The taping was so fun for Trace and hisguests that he began laying plans for a tour.

“I’ve had many narrow escapes and blessings in my life. The right song at the right time has been my saving grace and that’s something Ihave in common with the audience. Sharing meaningful songs, stories and somelaughs ‘around the campfire’ is the Country music tradition and I’m looking forward to it.”

Fans can share their ownstories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives onthe Songs & Stories page at www.traceadkins.com.

From humble beginnings as asmall-town Louisiana roughneck, to a Country super star with a twenty yearcareer of hits, to his recent roles as outspoken author and actor, Adkins’ lifeparallels the songs he sings. His albums showcase a range of earnest tributes andparty anthems with humor and depth – the Songs & Stories Tour promises tooffer the same.

See the CMT performance that inspired the SONGS & STORIES TOUR:

TICKETS ON SALE DATES:

•        March dates: public on sale Friday, 1/27 (Fan club pre-sale begins Mon. 1/23.)

•        April & May dates: public on sale Friday, 2/3. (Fan club pre-sale begins Mon. 1/30).

SONGS & STORIES TOUR DATES (MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED):

March 8     Des Moines IA     Hoyt Sherman

March 9     Kansas City MO    Midland Theater by AMC

March 10    Peoria IL         Civic Theater

March 15    Milwaukee WI      Riverside Theater

March 16    Rochester MN      Mayo Civic Theater

March 17    Grand Forks ND    Chester Fritz Auditorium  * Fan presale 1/30, public on-sale 2/3

March 22    Birmingham AL     Alabama Theatre

April 12    Ashland KY        Paramount Arts Center

April 14    Toledo OH         Stranahan Theater

April 18   Louisville, KY  The Palace Theater

April 19    Spartanburg SC    Memorial Hall

April 20    Charlotte NC      Ovens Auditorium

April 25    Denver CO         Paramount  Theater *fan presale 1/23, public on-sale 1/27

April 27    Salinas KS        Stiefel Theater

April 28    Tulsa OK          Brady Theater

May 3       N. Charleston SC  North Charleston Performing Arts Center

May 4       Savannah GA       Mercer Theater *fan presale 1/30, public on 2/10

May 10      Davenport IA      Adler Theatre

May 11      South Bend IN     Morris PAC *fan presale 1/30, public on-sale 2/4

May 12      Memphis TN        Orpheum Theatre *fan presale 1/23, public on-sale 1/27

May 17      Atlanta GA        Cobb Theater

About Trace Adkins:

Trace Adkins is one of Country music’s most versatile and accomplished entertainers. His instantly recognizable baritone has earned 30 charted singles and 15 Top Ten hits gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums with total sales surpassing 10 million. He is the author of A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck. He was a finalist on NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice, where he charmed millions while his recent role in The Lincoln Lawyer put him in the company of Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillipe, Jon Leguiazamo and William H. Macy in the box-office topping theatrical release.

A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Adkins was raised on Country and Gospel and is known as a traditionalist who speaks his mind and honors the past. The 6’6″ star is a father of five daughters and a family man to the core. He is a former oil rigger who still works his farm himself. His “gruff” demeanor hides a self-deprecating, humble man with the coolness that comes from defeating death (more than once) and realizing everything else is small stuff. When a fire claimed his home in June 2011 in Tennessee, Trace first made sure his family was unharmed, then immediately redirected his fans’ offers of support to the Red Cross.

Trace Adkins’ tenth studio album, PROUD TO BE HERE, features the Top Ten hit, “Just Fishin’” and latest single, “Million Dollar View.” The album was released on August 2, 2011 on Show Dog – Universal Music and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country Album Chart.

Trace Adkins is going to be 50 in a few months. And he wants nothing to do with it. “I’m sure that there will be a party, but it will be none of my doing,” he told me Sunday night (Oct.2) after his concert in Chicago. “Why is it that to chicks, birthdays are such a huge thing? To me, they’re just not. People have to remind me it’s my birthday.” Then he pondered the big 5-0 number for a bit and said, “You know that you’re over half done at that point. That’s a stark realization.” And how does Adkins know he’s getting older? When he drives his 13-year-old to school and listens to the pop music she likes. “She doesn’t force feed it to me. But I just don’t approve of very much of that stuff. I think some of those girls are really bad influences on little girls. I don’t think the messages that they have in their songs are good for my little girls to be listening to,” he admitted. “Of course, I don’t let them listen to my music, either. But I don’t make music for kids. I don’t record music and then try to market it to children. There are some girls in pop, and that’s what they do. They record nasty songs, and then they market them to my little girls. And that [expletive] ain’t right. It’s like my daddy said, ‘Boy, you keep listening to that [expletive], you’re gonna be in prison.’” And that is how we all know we’re getting old — when we sound just like our own parents, and we’re positive that the only good songs out there are the songs we love.

“Music That Touches the Heart” is a yearly benefit that features outstanding performers in an intimate setting. Funds raised through ticket sales support BrightStone’s adults who live each day with developmental disabilities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Trace Adkins back to our Songwriters Night, and we are excited that Amy Grant will be performing as well,” shared Dr. Craig Ferrell, Chairman of the Music That Touches the Heart Committee and member of the BrightStone Board of Directors. “Since this year’s event is our tenth, we really wanted to make it big. Having Amy and Trace there to perform will make it an exciting and special evening.”

Amy Grant has been writing songs, recording and performing music for over 30 years.  Signed to her first record deal at age 15, Amy has sold over 30 million records and has had several radio hits including “Baby Baby,” “Next Time I Fall,” “Every Heartbeat,” and “House of Love.”  She has won 6 Grammy Awards, numerous Dove Awards, has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and has been awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For her steadfast support of her community, Amy and her husband Vince Gill were named 2011 “Tennesseans of The Year” and also awarded with the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award.

Trace Adkins is one of Country music’s most versatile and accomplished entertainers. His instantly recognizable baritone has earned 30 charted singles and 15 Top Ten hits gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums with total sales surpassing 10 million. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Adkins was raised on Country and Gospel and is known as a traditionalist who speaks his mind and honors the past. Trace Adkins’ tenth studio album, PROUD TO BE HERE, features the Top Ten hit, “Just Fishin’” and latest single, “Million Dollar View.” The album was released on August 2, 2011 on Show Dog – Universal Music and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country Album Chart.

Tickets to “Music That Touches the Heart” include dinner, a concert featuring many songwriters in addition to Amy Grant and Trace Adkins, and access to a silent auction with over 100 items. Price per person is $125; tables of eight can be purchased for $1000. Patron Tables are available for $2500 and Sponsor Tables are available for $5000.

Seats and tables can be purchased online at brightstone.org, by phone (615-790-4888), and through the mail (P.O. Box 682966, Franklin, TN 37068). Seats and tables can be purchased through February 13 or until space is filled.

BrightStone is a resource in the community providing job training and employment opportunities for adults who are developmentally disabled. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions regarding Music That Touches the Heart, please contact Tina Majors, Director of Fund Development, by phone at 790-4888 or by email at tina.majors@brightstone.org. To learn more about BrightStone, visit www.brightstone.org.

Trace Adkins fans will have the opportunity to take him home with them, beginning March 6. That’s when his latest foray into film, ‘Wyatt Earp’s Revenge,’ is released on DVD. The western stars Val Kilmer in the title role, recounting how he avenged the murder of his first love, Dora (played by singer and actress Diana DeGarmo).

Originally titled ‘The First Ride of Wyatt Earp,’ and based on the true story of the legendary lawman, the film follows Earp’s assemblage of a posse which includes Bat Masterson, Charlie Bassett, Bill Tilghman and Doc Holliday (the character Val Kilmer portrayed in 1993′s ‘Tombstone’). Trace plays Milflin Kenedy, a member of the family responsible for Dora’s death.

Trace has been amping up his acting gigs recently, appearing the ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ and ‘The Healer,’ but insists it’s still only a hobby.

“I’m not about to walk away from my music career,” he told The Boot. “I’m no trained actor. I’m not Phillip Seymour Hoffman or Johnny Depp. I’m probably not going to play a gay hairdresser, but if there is a character I think I can associate and identify with I’ll try to do it. There’s an old Clint Eastwood line, ‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’ I hope that I know mine. I’m not going to try and tackle a part that I can’t convincingly pull off.”

But for now, the singer says acting is a rush. “I like being put in situations where I’m out of my comfort zone: something that challenges me. Acting certainly does that. I enjoy doing it. I get a kick out of it … from being afraid that people are going to discover that you have no idea what you’re doing. It’s always exhilarating.”

Filming a western with a mostly male cast is a change of pace from his home life, where he’s surrounded by all girls. Trace opened up to Good Housekeeping recently about being the odd man out and when he realized he wasn’t going to have a son.

“I could not make boys,” he tells the magazine. “After the last one, I said, ‘OK, God, I get it. I quit!’”