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Worley unveils
River Run lineup
Published Friday, July 17
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
TISHOMINGO COUNTY - A strong music lineup was outlined for a large assembling of media personnel Wednesday by Darryl Worley's Tennessee River
Run organizers at the Media Day event to formally kick off the eighth annual Tennessee River Run.
"We've had the best year ever ‹ as far as money raised," noted country singer and event host Darryl Worley. "This will be our eighth annual event and we've learned a lot over the years ... it's gotten bigger and better and we increased the number of musical events."
Indeed, Darryl Worley's Tennessee River run began as a weekend festival, which culminated in a Saturday night country music concert. Now, the event spans the course of a week. Last year, a Friday night rock concert was added, as well as a Sunday Gospel sing along, which insures there is something for every age and musical taste. Details about the musical acts for 2009 were released Wednesday at a Media Day event held at Pickwick Pines Resort.
Headlining TRR's Friday night Rock Concert, to be held Friday, Sept. 11, in downtown Savannah, Tenn., will be veteran rockers - Night Ranger. Formed in the early 80's, the band has sold over 16 million albums worldwide with hits like "Don't Tell Me You Love Me;" "Sister Christian;" and "(You Can Still) Rock In America."
TRR's Friday night Rock Concert will open with the Booneville-based band, Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy. The band is growing in popularity and plays many venues in Mississippi including performing the opening act for Dierks Bentley and Hank Williams Jr. at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo this month, according to their band profile and performance schedule at www.myspace.com/jamiedavissoulgravy.
The Rock Concert will also be opened by Littlefield, the Savannah, Tenn. based band that won TRR's Battle of the Bands last year, winning the honor of opening the Saturday night concert in 2008.
TRR's highly popular Saturday country concert, to be held Saturday, Sept. 12, at Pickwick Lake, will include Craig Morgan, a well known country singer whose hits include "Redneck Yacht Club;" "Almost Home;" and "Tough."
The Saturday show will also include Caitlin and Will - winners of CMT's first season of "Can You Duet?" The duo is quickly distinguishing themselves as a strong force in country music with their debut single, "Address in the Stars."
Saturday's show will also include Jonathan Singleton & The Grove. Singleton is a native of Jackson, Tenn., according to biographical information released by TRR's staff. The information went on to state that Singleton's "gritty guitars and blue-saturated vocal attack draw heavily from the American center of soul, while the stories and lyrical craft are pure Music City."
Saturday's concert will, of course, include Darryl Worley, who is currently touring in support of his new hit single, "Sounds Like Life To Me." His new Stroudavarious Records album, Sounds Like Life, hit stores this past June.
Sunday evening, Sept. 13, will see the second installment of the Gospel concert and community picnic. The musical features of the day will be Richie McDonald and Jason Crabb.
Richie McDonald is a highly recognized talent in country music as formerly being the face and voice of the country group, Lonestar. With the release of "Six-Foot Teddybear," McDonald launches a much-anticipated solo career.
Jason Crabb is the longtime powerhouse lead vocalist for The Crabb Family and has performed at Carnegie Hall, become a "fan favorite" at the Grand Ole Opry, appeared regularly on the Gaither Homecoming Series videos and sang for the Rev. Billy Graham's farewell crusade in New York City. He is a Grammy nominated, 10-time Dove Award winner.
The Tennessee River Run is the biggest fundraiser for the Darryl Worley Foundation, Inc. In the history of the TRR, over half a million dollars has been collected thus far, according to Lee Ann Robertson, Worley's Public Relations representative.
Last year, the Tennessee River Run raised $200,000 for the Darryl Worley Foundation, with proceeds going toward building a cancer treatment center adjacent to the Hardin County Medical Center in Hardin County, Tenn. The foundation also helps meet other area needs as well.
Other events will continue to be part of the Tennessee River Run festival such as an auction, a boat poker run, a motorcycle poker run, a 5K run, a golf tournament and a bass fishing tournament.
The Battle of the Bands will also return as an event for the TRR, with competitions taking place in Jackson, Tenn., Florence, Ala., and Tupelo. The winners from each event will compete in front of Worley and other judges at the Moose Lodge in Savannah, Tenn. The winner of the final competition will open the Saturday night concert at the TRR event. More details of each event will be given as the event draws nearer.
Individual ticket prices for the concerts range from $10-$35, and the golf tournament, boat poker run, 5K run, motorcycle poker run require separate registration fees for each event. VIP ticket packages are also available.
Fans can purchase tickets, register for events and obtain additional details by visiting www.darrylworley.com and clicking on the "TRR" button.
Concert tickets will also be available at participating Kroger stores in Memphis, Tenn.; Corinth; Tupelo; Jackson, Tenn., and throughout West Tennessee and O'Reilly Auto Parts in the Savannah, Tenn., area beginning Sunday.
