MARTINA TO TAKE PART IN A CONCERT TO BENEFIT THE SURVIVORS OF HURRICANE KATRINA Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 The Gulf Coast has experienced one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. Now Houston will be the site for one of the biggest fundraisers to benefit its survivors. The event will take place on Saturday, October 1st and will be broadcast live on CMT! On one day, superstars George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson and Martina McBride will perform in Houston to raise money for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts – and they are bringing their friends with them! Ms. McBride has scored 20 top ten country hits and has five platinum and two triple platinum records to her name and is also the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the year. Louis Messina, New Orleans native and president of The Messina Group/ AEG, is one of the driving forces behind this event. “I watched my birthplace float away,” said Messina, “ I knew I needed to help, and this is the way I could reach the most people.” Fellow Chairmen, Dr. Carolyn Farb, author and well-known philanthropist and Chairman of the Board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Paul Somerville, answered the call to action and pledged their talents and resources to ensure the promise of this once-in-a-lifetime event. Already at the forefront of the Houston relief effort, Shea Guinn, general manager of Reliant Park said, “We are eager to be a part of such an incredible event that has the potential to provide additional mass relief to our Gulf Coast neighbors.” The Reliant Stadium facility and all related services, including staff and the proceeds from parking as well as food and beverage sold at the event, have been donated. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, known for its commitment to helping others, has graciously joined the effort by offering the use of its production facilities, underwriting crew costs and unleashing the full strength of its fulltime staff and 17,000 member volunteer force. Additionally, ticket stubs from ONE COUNTRY may be redeemed for a day ticket to the 2006 Houston Livestock Show, including admission to the livestock and horse shows, carnival, shopping and food exhibits, and children’s and educational exhibits (admission does not include events at Reliant Stadium). Ticketmaster has also pledged its full support through donating all service and convenience charges to the cause. The show is being produced almost entirely with donated equipment and services – from the sound and lights, to the stage, the crews, the artists, security and ushers – all the elements necessary to put on a first-class show. This concert will truly benefit the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Benefactors to date: Aggreko, Anschutz Entertainment Group, Carolina Holdings, Inc, Carey Limousine, Kenny Chesney, Cube Inc, Gina Rotolo Public Relations, Hotel Icon, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Alan Jackson, LD Systems, Martina McBride, The Messina Group, Mojo Barriers, Morris Leasing, Willie Nelson, Reliant Park, Screenworks, ShoMotion, Show Pros Entertainment Services, StageCo, George Strait, and Ticketmaster. Net proceeds from this historic event will go to benefit the courageous survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The focus of this effort is two-fold. Its first commitment is to provide immediate assistance to the relocated survivors. The second is to spur the process of rebuilding the gulf coast region and allow the displaced an opportunity to return home and build their lives once again. One Country is researching potential beneficiaries in an effort to find a charitable organization(s) that can maximize the mission of the project and put the funds raised to work on the front lines. ONE COUNTRY will go on sale this Friday, September 16 at 10:00AM at all ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or may be charged by phone at 713/629-3700 in Houston: 214/373-8000 or 972/647-5700 in Dallas; 512/494-1800 in Austin; 409/833-7747 in Beaumont; 979/268-0414 in Bryan – College Station; 361/881-8499 in Corpus Christi; 210/224-9600 in San Antonio. Tickets for this event are $125/ $100/ $85/ $65/ $39.50. There will also be a limited number of exclusive $1000 VIP packages. www.onecountryconcert.org Back To News Page