Taylor Hicks to Perform at Bama Rising Benefit Concert on June 14

[Taylor Hicks]

COUNTRY MUSIC’S TOP-SELLING SUPERGROUP ALABAMA
ANNOUNCES “BAMA RISING: A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR ALABAMA
TORNADO RECOVERY” AT BIRMINGHAM’S BJCC ARENA
ON JUNE 14TH

Tickets Go On Sale To General Public This Friday, May 20th at 11:00am CST
BIRMINGHAM, AL (May 17, 2011) -- On Tuesday, June 14th, the country music
community will unite to assist victims of the tornados that ravaged Alabama on April 27th.
“BAMA RISING: A Benefit Concert for Alabama Tornado Recovery,” presented by
Verizon, will take place at Birmingham’s BJCC Arena. It will feature performances by
ALABAMA, who is spearheading the event, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Sheryl Crow and
numerous other artists. See below for a list of performers and special guests who have been
confirmed to date.

ALABAMA’s Randy Owen, speaking on behalf of the group, states, “My hope is that
this will bring happiness and help to my fellow citizens in Alabama. I believe it's extremely
important that we do this benefit, and I want everyone in the state to feel like they are part of it. I
hope we all can pull together to help get through the worst natural disaster I've ever seen in
Alabama. I appreciate my friends in country music, everyone that's been involved, and anyone
that's helped in any way.”

The Bama Rising Fund has been established at the Community Foundation of Greater
Birmingham to support long-term recovery statewide in the wake of the April 2011 tornadoes
that devastated Alabama. Decisions about how to deploy Bama Rising concert proceeds and gifts
to the Bama Rising Fund will be made by an advisory committee including representatives of the
artists, promoters and the Community Foundation.

Kate Nielsen, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham : “We are
pleased to serve as the philanthropic partner for the talented artists who are committed to our
state’s recovery through the Bama Rising concert. A sell-out crowd will help the Bama Rising
team raise significant dollars for long-term recovery efforts across Alabama and show our
citizens that we are committed to their future.”

Jeff Mango, president – Georgia/Alabama Region, Verizon Wireless : “The
community’s response to the devastating tornadoes in Alabama has been truly inspiring, and we
know that a natural disaster of this magnitude requires that response be sustained—so that the
people in the community can thrive and in some cases, rebuild. That is why we are so proud to
be involved in Bama Rising. Thanks to the generosity of so many who want to help, this
unforgettable event will bring together people from across the great state of Alabama and beyond
to support their friends, business associates and neighbors as they work for a common cause – to
rebuild.”

In addition to ticket sales, funds will be raised through corporate sponsorships of the
event. For information on becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact Jay Wilson at Red
Mountain Entertainment – 205.585.2531 or [e-mail].

Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Friday, May 20th, at 11:00AM CST
at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices will range from $25 to $150. VIP packages will also be
available. Visit www.bamarising.org for more details. Bama Rising is presented by Red
Mountain Entertainment and AEG Live/The Messina Group. Corporate sponsors include
Verizon, Bravado, Zeekee Interactive, Bill Young Productions, Tour Design and Ticketmaster.

“BAMA RISING”

Confirmed performers (in alphabetical order):
Alabama
Rodney Atkins
Dierks Bentley
Bo Bice
Luke Bryan
Sheryl Crow
Sara Evans
Taylor Hicks
Little Big Town
Martina McBride
Montgomery Gentry
David Nail
Jake Owen
Brad Paisley
Kellie Pickler
Darius Rucker
Ashton Shepherd

Confirmed special guests:
Jay Barker –University of Alabama (former football player and current radio personality)

[acaroleinfl]

The Blind Boys of Alabama are going to be there too. Have fun for a great cause.

[charlene chauvin]

ahh i hope youre friends and family were ok and didnt lose any thing cause i know the feeling after everything has been  blown away and you lose everything hope no one got hurt in youre family and im sure they was scared if they didnt get im glad but the poor people did im so sorry take care of youreself and youre friends and family

[viv sawyer]

Will this be televised???? It would be wonderful if we could cal into donate also. 

[June Roskilly-Mooney]

What town and where is this?Junebug

[acaroleinfl]

I wish I could be there to scream for you and donate money to help Alabama. I was able to donate, but it would have been more fun doing it with you.