PATTY LOVELESS CELEBRATES 25^th ANNIVERSARY

AS GRAND OLE OPRY MEMBER  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 17, 2013) -- The Grand Ole Opry_® presented by Humana_® honored Patty Loveless on her 25^th anniversary as an Opry member this past weekend with memorable performances by Loveless, fellow Opry members Vince Gill and Loretta Lynn, and more.  Loveless was inducted as an Opry member on June 11, 1988.

Following an hour of Loveless solo hits, vocal collaborations, and performances by good friends of the guest of honor in front of a sold-out Opry House Saturday night, Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher honored the 25-year member with a commemorative print and words about her career. “This has been an absolutely magical night at the Grand Ole Opry. I think we have heard everything that makes country music great,” Fisher said. “If I was to describe what makes country music great, I would use the name Patty Loveless,” he continued, describing Loveless as doing everything with “grace, humility, and excellence.”

Loveless responded, saying, “It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years. I know my family is listening in tonight, and I’m sure they are very, very proud of this moment for me. My dreams were their dreams as well.”

The night concluded with Loveless and Gill collaborating on their beloved 1995 release “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” The two were joined by a number of other artists who had appeared on stage earlier in the evening.

Since debuting her self-titled album in 1986, Loveless has enjoyed a string of Top 10 and No. 1 hit singles as well as ACM Awards as Top Female Vocalist in 1996 and 1997, CMA Vocalist of the Year honors in 1996, and the CMA Album of the Year trophy in 1995 forWhen Fallen Angels Fly.  In 2001, Loveless released Mountain Soul, paying homage to her Kentucky upbringing, and in 2003 releasedOn Your Way Home, another fine effort that merged the acoustic country of Mountain Soul with the honky-tonk sounds of her earlier years. Loveless has appeared on recent projects from Bob Seger, George Strait, and Vince Gill, as well as her own recently released Mountain Soul II.

(Nashville, TN) JUNE 17, 2013 – Fathers Day 2013 took on a whole new meaning for Blaster Records singer and songwriter Jared Ashley and his wife Taylor.  The couple, who have been married since May 2011, welcomed their first child, daughter Georgia McClain Ashley, to the family. The 7 lb. 2 oz. 19” baby girl was born the evening of Sunday, June 9 in Nashville to the first time parents.

“This whole process has been and continues to be such an amazing experience,” confides Ashley to Country Weekly. “I never imagined I could love someone so much in an instant.  I just pray she grows up to look like her mother!”

Jared and his wife Taylor both grew up in Georgia - the namesake of their first-born. Ashley’s just released single, “Last Train To Memphis,” is currently at radio and iTunes now.

ABOUT JARED ASHLEY: Born in Hobbs, NM, near the oil fields of the West Texas border, Jared Ashley relocated to Newnan, GA with his father as a small child. After high school, Jared joined the Navy, where he served for four years including two tours of duty in the Persian Gulf.  When not on duty, he would practice guitar while away at sea and play acoustic gigs at George’s Country Bar in Yokosuka, Japan. Jared’s genuine love of music and songwriting led him to Nashville’s thriving scene where he landed a regular weekend gig onstage at the world famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. With time and dedication, Jared developed a loyal touring and fan base, which gave him the chance to further hone his songwriting and live performance talents. The singer and songwriter counts Alan Jackson and Bob Seger as strong musical influences, which proves evident on his melodically haunting debut single “Last Train To Memphis.” Co-penned along with Nick Sturms and Jeremy McComb, the song is featured on his forthcoming album for Blaster Records, expected to launch in early 2014.  With a driving edgy vocal and lyrical prowess to match, Jared is a seasoned live act, playing over 150 dates a year.