Entertainers scheduled to perform at the 2004 Republican National Convention include:
Brooks & Dunn: Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are not only the most successful duo in country music history; they are the biggest-selling musical duo of all time. Together, they've sold 27 million albums, scored 25 #1 hits, won dozens of awards and become one of the most consistent country music headliners today. Brooks & Dunn issued their debut album, Brand New Man, in 1991, and it was an out-of-the-box smash. The tracks, "My Next Broken Heart," "Neon Moon," and "Boot Scootin' Boogie" all hit number one on the country charts. Brand New Man eventually went on to sell more than six million copies and made the duo into country superstars. Since then, they've kept up their winning streak with a dozen more albums and 22 additional #1 hits. Brooks & Dunn have won 17 Academy of Country Music Awards, including 3 Entertainer of the Year awards; two American Music Awards, both for Favorite Band, Duo or Group; two Grammy Awards; 12 Country Music Association awards, ten of which have been Vocal Duo of the Year; two Billboard Entertainment Awards; five Blockbuster Entertainment Awards; seven TNN/Music City News awards; and dozens more.
Lee Ann Womack: With over four million records sold, Lee Ann Womack is one of Country Music's biggest stars. Born and raised in Jacksonville, TX, Womack followed her love of music to Nashville's Belmont University. Within a year, she signed a recording contract and released her debut single in 1997. In 2000, the title single off Womack's third album I Hope You Dance rocketed to the top of the country charts, propelled her album to No. 1 and crossed over to become a pop sensation as well. Something Worth Leaving Behind appeared in mid-2002 and Womack moved into Country mainstream for good. Womack has also branched out into acting. In early 2003, she earned a small part on the CBS drama The District. Her numerous accolades include a 2003 Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration for her duet with Willie Nelson on "Mendocino County Line," a 2002 Country Music Award (CMA) for Vocal Event of the Year, a 2001 CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year, two 2000 CMAs for Single of the Year and Song of the Year, the 1998 American Music Awards' prize for Favorite New Artist and the Academy of Country Music's Top New Female Vocalist Award in 1997.
Jaci Velasquez: At 23-years old, Jaci Velasquez is one of the world's most successful and beloved singers. Velasquez won Female Pop Album of the Year at the Latin Billboard Awards and she has received two Latin Grammy nominations, three Grammy Nominations, five Latin Billboard Award nominations, and six Dove Awards. She has sold over four million albums, garnered three RIAA certified Platinum recordings, sixteen #1 radio hits and more than 50 magazine covers. Velasquez began her career at age 14, singing with her family in Houston, TX. With her first Spanish-Language album Llegar a Ti and her record-breaking Heavenly Place, Jaci, of Mexican, French and Spanish ancestry, surpassed the expectations of many, becoming a new and imposing presence in Latin music. Velasquez also stared in her first film, Chasing Papi, this year and released her ninth album, Milagro. To further solidify Jaci Velasquez's rising star, Pepsi has chosen her to be their new Latin spokesperson.
Third Day: Atlanta-based rockers Third Day have garnered four gold albums, a platinum album, a 2003 Grammy, a 2003 American Music Award nomination and 21 of the Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards. Their most recent studio album, Wire, debuted at No. 12 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart and No. 1 on the Nielsen SoundScan's Top Christian Albums chart in the first week of its May release. Their current single, "I Believe" recently charted at No. 1 on the Christian Adult Contemporary (AC) radio chart, bringing the band to a career total of twenty-one No. 1 songs at Christian radio. They are currently preparing for the second leg of their highly successful Live Wire Tour that will hit 43 U.S. cities this fall. Third Day member Tai Anderson participated in a web chat on the convention web site this summer. Read the transcript online at www.gopconvention.com/contents/goplive/chats/.
Dexter Freebish: Since forming almost 10 years ago, Austin-based quartet Dexter Freebish has developed a reputation as a hard-working, crowd-pleasing pop band. Signed to Capitol Records in March 1999, "Leaving Town" won Song of the Year in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, sponsored by EMI Music Publishing, Maxell, and Yamaha. The track was chosen from over 27,000 entries and voted on by more than 60 celebrities; including Elton John, Wyclef Jean, Foo Fighters, Brooks and Dunn, Barenaked Ladies, Paula Cole, and George Clinton, among others. In September 2000, Dexter Freebish issued their debut album A Life of Saturdays. The band struck a chord again in 2003, winning the John Lennon songwriting competition for a second time with the song "Prozak" from their second album, Tripped Into Divine.
Darryl Worley: Country star Darryl Worley knew he had written something powerful when he created "Have You Forgotten?" The song came about as a result of the singer's USO tour of Afghanistan over the 2002 Christmas holidays. He was profoundly moved by the dedication of the American Armed Forces stationed there and decided he needed to salute those men and women in some way when he returned home. Born in Pyburn, TN, Worley earned a degree in biology from Northern Alabama University. Later, Worley left a lucrative business to pursue a career in music. His traditional country music caught the attention of DreamWorks Nashville, which released his debut album Hard Rain Don't Last in 2000. The title track to his follow-up album, I Miss My Friend, climbed to No. 1 in 2002. Capturing the anger and frustration of many Americans regarding the war, the song catapulted to No. 1, and Worley released the album Have You Forgotten? in 2003. He has since become an outspoken advocate of the military.
Gracie Rosenberger: Gracie's inspiring personal story includes surviving a devastating, near-fatal car accident in 1983, resulting in more than 65 operations over the ensuing two decades and costing her the amputation of both legs. With numerous television and print features to her credit, as well as a national speaking and singing schedule, Rosenberger has inspired and entertained audiences across the country. Whether in a school, church, singing for disabled children in a hospital, or performing for wounded soldiers, her message is one of perseverance and hope.
Donnie McClurkin: Growing up in Amityville, NY, Grammy Award-winning gospel vocalist McClurkin found a safe haven from a troubled home life in his church. It was there he formed the McClurkin Singers with his siblings in 1979. Donnie went on to form the New York Restoration Choir, who recorded the album I Feel Well in 1989. In 1996, Donnie released his self-titled, debut project on Warner-Alliance Records. Released August 2001, the album Live in London and More quickly became a best seller and held the number one spot on the gospel charts. Donnie McClurkin...Again, released March of 2003, won rave reviews. McClurkin won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for the recording and took home the 2004 NAACP Image Award for Gospel Artist Of The Year. McClurkin is currently Senor Pastor at Perfecting Faith in Freeport, NY and is spearheading a grassroots effort to bring about unity among churches throughout New York and New Jersey.
Today's additions join a previously announced lineup of entertainers to perform at the 2004 Republican National Convention. The initial group includes Michael W. Smith, Daniel Rodriquez, Daize Shayne, Ron Silver, the Gatlin Brothers, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Sara Evans and Dana Glover.
The 2004 Republican National Convention will be held for the first time ever in New York City at Madison Square Garden from August 30 - September 2, 2004. For more information about the 2004 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.gopconvention.com.
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