LeAnn Rimes, one of country music's shining stars, will be making a special guest appearance on stage during the 12th annual Nashville HRC dinner program.
"LeAnn has always been a big supporter of our community, and we are very grateful and excited to have someone of her background and support make a special appearance during our program," said Billy Leslie, event co-chair along with Margaret Ellis and Amos Gott.
Rimes emerged with the single "Blue" when she was only 13 years old, and by age 24 she sold over 37 million albums. She has won an American Music Award, two Grammy Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards, and twelve Billboard Music Awards. She holds three important records in the music industry, as the current youngest person to win a Grammy and her version of "How Do I Live " is currently the longest charting song on the U.S. Hot 100 at 69 weeks. This was the first multi-platinum country single, selling over 3 million copies.
"We are thrilled that this year's dinner has been able to attract the interest and support of such notables as LeAnn Rimes, Brian Graden (president of Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Channels and president of Logo) and Joe Solmonese (president of the Human Rights Campaign), and we know that the message of equality that they will bring makes this an evening that the Nashville community won't want to miss," said co-chair Amos Gott. "We also want to recognize the unprecedented support of local businesses like presenting sponsor Bridgestone, silent auction sponsor CMT and many others. Their significant contributions have made it possible for us to plan such an extraordinary event."
LeAnn regularly sets time aside for worthy causes. Her activities are broad and her service is varied: As the official "voice" of the Children's Miracle Network, dedicated to raising funds for children's hospitals, she has met privately with President George W. Bush in the White House. She has performed on U.S. Air Force and Army bases in the U.S. and around the world, contributed music to America, an online tribute for victims of 911, and features the Coalition to Salute American Heroes on the front page of her website. She has worked on behalf of numerous animal-friendly organizations throughout the U.S. And in just the past several months she has sung for hurricane relief at The Grand Ole Opry, auctioned off a dinner at her Nashville home with herself, her husband Dean Sheremet, and their friends Phil and Julie Vassar on behalf of www.GivingHearts.com, and even hunkered down behind a Monopoly board in a celebrity tournament for Childhelp USA.
As LeAnn's horizons continue to widen, Rolling Stone's prediction rings ever more true: "Don't be surprised if her defining moment has nothing to do with country music at all. Just expect to have your socks knocked off."
The Nashville HRC Dinner is presented by Bridgestone and the Silent Auction by CMT. The event will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.
Honoring the hard work of the Tennessee Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans-gendered community, as well as its supporters, this event has become not only the highest-profile fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign in the Volunteer state but one of the most anticipated social events in Nashville, selling out the past several years.
Cocktails and a silent auction begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed by the dinner and program at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $175 per person and are available through www.theequalitydinner.com or 1-800-494-TIXS.
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2007
Time: 6 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction; 7:30 p.m. Dinner
Place: Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel
Tickets: $175 per person and available through www.theequalitydinner.com or 1-800-494-TIX