Craig Morgan headlines benefit concert at Dickson Renaissance Center

Country singer Craig Morgan has kept a steady presence on the country charts and radio airwaves since his eponymous debut album in 2000. He's had back-to-back number one singles, including country's biggest hit of 2005, solid album sales and a belated nomination in 2006 as the Academy of Country Music's best new male vocalist.

His hits have included I Got You, Redneck Yacht Club, Almost Home and That's What I Like About Sunday, which spent five weeks at number one and ended 2005 as country radio's most played song of the year. Morgan finished 2005 in the top 10 on Billboard magazine's top male country artists chart, ahead of Alan Jackson and Josh Gracin.

His fourth album, Little Bit of Life, features four of Morgan's own compositions and is more personal than any of his work to date and featured the addition of producer Keith Stegall.

A father of five and Dickson County native, Morgan routinely performs more than 200 concert dates a year and is a fan favorite at the Grand Ole Opry, where he has been invited to perform more than 150 times. A U.S. Army veteran, Morgan also regularly performs at military bases in the U.S. and abroad.

Sponsored by Graham Ford, the concert and a VIP trail ride and dinner will benefit the Wounded Warriors Foundation, Catch A Dream and Morgan's new Xtreme Team Makeover initiative.

Tickets are $35-$50 for the concert, but there are 10 VIP packages for $500 each that include a full day of activities with Morgan and friends, ending with front row seats to the show. The day kicks off with an ATV trail ride and includes lunch and a VIP dinner with the celebrities. There also will be a silent auction in the rotunda of The Renaissance Center prior to the concert.

Racing celebrities scheduled to appear include dirt bike phenomena Fred Andrews from Fred Andrews Racing/Kawasaki's Team Green and Kevin Windham. Musical celebrities include Lawrence, whose current number one hit single Know Who Your Friends Are is one of the top songs to hit the charts this year, and stars of country music and television Blue County, which features Aaron Benward and Scott Reeves of The Young and the Restless fame. Morgan promises plenty of surprises for the show, too.

The Wounded Warriors Foundation is an organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations.

Catch A Dream grants once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experiences to children 18 years old or younger who have a life-threatening illness.

Morgan's new Xtreme Team Makeover provides funding and services to local facilities and/or homes in need. The first project for Xtreme Team Makeover will be to help make structural improvements to Vanleer Elementary School in Dickson County. Morgan previously helped the school with money to purchase musical instruments.

For more information on the Craig Morgan benefit concert Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. at The Renaissance Center, visit www.craigmorgan.com.

To purchase VIP tickets for the trail ride, dinner and concert, contact trailride@craigmorgan.com. For tickets to the concert, call The Renaissance Center at (615) 740-5601.

The Renaissance Center is a fine arts education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.