STARS SPIN THE ‘WHEEL' FOR CHARITY
Country music singer Steve Azar will appear on Wheel of Fortune Monday, February 12, as part of “Country Music Stars Week.” Azar, and other country stars, will be paired with a country music fan contestant.

Celebrities will donate their winnings to their favorite charities, with a minimum of $10,000 going to the charity of their choice. Azar is playing for the St. Cecilia Foundation, a nonprofit corporation helping charitable organizations provide aid to sick, disadvantaged, and abused children.

“Country Music Stars Week," taped at the Charleston Area Convention Center, in South Carolina, will also include stars like Trisha Yearwood, Eddie Montgomery (Montgomery Gentry), and Michael Britt (Lonestar).

Britt will play for The AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort, a nonprofit 501C-3 organization ensuring needed mail support to military members and the promotion of patriotism in our schools and communities.

This article is a form of public relations because it is educating the public about country music stars who are giving back to the community. It is positive publicity because everyone likes to hear that stars are helping those in need. The country music scene, specifically the stars in the article, are keeping the respect of old fans, and gaining the respect of new ones. The overall benefit of this article is positive.

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KEITH URBAN EXTENDS A THANK YOU
After spending three-months in the Betty Ford Center for treatment of alcohol abuse, Keith Urban posted a video message on his Web site, extending thanks to his fans, family, and friends. Urban announced that he felt love and support during rehab and that he “never felt alone.”

After a live appearance on a German television series, Urban sat down to tell his story. Urban explained to viewers what exactly led him to seek treatment and how the experience taught him valuable life lessons.

Bouncing back fast, Urban is set to play his first U.S. show of 2007 on Feb. 8 in Chicago. Dates in April have also been set for Germany and the U.K. In June, he will tour in the U.S. and Canada.

This article is a form of public relations because it gives Keith Urban good publicity after a negative event in his life. The video he posted to his website is a type of crisis management, because he wants his fans to know that he has fixed his mistake. If he had not made a statement thanking his fans, they would be disappointed.

The overall goal of the article is for Keith to regain his good name. This is positive public relations because Keith’s message directly addresses his fans and thanks them for their support. When fans see how grateful Urban is and how he has recovered, they will continue to support him through hard times.

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SPEED & SOUND EVENT BENEFITS CHARITIES
Country music recently teamed up with NASCAR for a fun-filled, two-day event in downtown Nashville. On Friday and Saturday (Jan 12-13), Sound & Speed brought celebrities from the country music and racing scene together to raise money for two charities: The Victory Junction Gang Camp and charities of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Kyle Petty, NASCAR veteran, and his wife Pattie, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp, which offers fun camping experiences for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

Celebrities at Sound & Speed took part in autograph sessions, interviews, and a major concert. On Saturday night, the Gaylord Entertainment Center hosted such country music stars as Joe Dee Messina, Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan, and many more.

Other events included “Gears and Guitars,” an auction featuring music and racing memorabilia, and three-hour long storytelling sessions with NASCAR and country music legends.

This article is a form of public relations because it educates the community about how country music is contributing to charities through the Sound & Speed event. The overall goal of the exposure is to inform country music fans that their favorite celebrities are giving back to the community. This article gives the country music scene good publicity. CMT.com posted this article to win over the hearts of new country fans and keep the loyalty of those who already follow country music.

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Welcome to Blogging!

I have chosen Country Music as my theme because it is one of my favorite areas of entertainment. I listen to it constantly and I enjoy attending concerts and hearing about new country artists.