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Sunday, 16 November, 2008 5:12 PM
Jewel and Mary Kay Launch "A
Kiss for Country"
Photo
by Frederick Breedon
Jewel
addresses the crowd at the Mary Kay "A Kiss for Country"
campaign against domestic violence kick-off.
| By
Bob Doerschuk |
| ©
2008 CMA Close Up News Service |
On Aug. 5, Mary Kay,
the Official Beauty Sponsor of "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards,"
kicked off the second annual round of "A Kiss for Country"
campaign with Jewel.
Introduced jointly by
Mary Kay and CMA last year to help combat domestic violence and
increase awareness for the cause, the program for 2008 was launched
at Nashville's Morning Star Sanctuary, a shelter for women and children
who have suffered abuse. The event marked the unveiling of newly
landscaped grounds, which include a play area, two benches, a picnic
table, two young trees and a garden blooming with flowers, created
by Nature's Design. From a podium decorated with a sign announcing
"Country Music Kisses Domestic Violence Good-bye," Karen
Rogers, Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation Board Member, surveyed
the beautified area, whose final touches had been applied that morning
by volunteer Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants dressed in
pink T-shirts, and lauded "this quiet and safe environment."
Jewel, the official spokesperson
for this year's "A Kiss for Country" campaign, noted that
her own experiences with homelessness made her more aware of the
kindness manifested by group and individual efforts to assist the
disadvantaged. "Abuse is a generational problem," she
added. "Boys who are abused become abusive to their children,
much to their own horror. It's a cycle that education needs to become
involved in."
After her remarks, Jewel
applied a bit of Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Apple Berry and then
autographed and kissed a large "Kiss Card," leaving the
first of the imprints to be contributed by Country Music artists
and subsequently auctioned on www.ubid.com
to support "A Kiss for Country." As in 2007, CMA will
assist in lining up participants for this charitable effort.
"[CMA CEO] Tammy
Genovese has sent out the communication on our behalf to facilitate
artist participation," said Rhonda Shasteen, Mary Kay Chief
Marketing Officer. "Last year we had 30 artists participate
and this year we would like to see many more."
Bidding for these star
smooches will begin immediately after their unveiling at a press
conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville
on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the day before the CMA Awards. Through the
auction, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Mary Kay Ash
Charitable Foundation's programs committed to ending domestic violence.
"The 42nd Annual
CMA Awards" will be held Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Sommet Center
in Nashville, Tenn. The three-hour gala will be carried live by
the ABC Television Network from 8-11 PM/EST, 7-10PM/CST.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the CMA Awards and perform.
Additional performers include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Rodney
Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and The Wailers, the Eagles,
Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina
McBride, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor
Swift, Keith Urban and more. Presenters include Billy Ray Cyrus,
Miley Cyrus, Heidi Newfield, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Reese Witherspoon
and Lee Ann Womack, among others. Visit www.CMAawards.com
for updates.
Tickets for the CMA Awards
are on sale now and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com; (615)
255-9600; or at the Sommet Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner
of Fifth Avenue and Broadway in Nashville). Ticket prices begin
at $110 for Upper-level; $327.75 for Club-level; and $382.50 for
Lower-level. Prices include sales tax but exclude applicable service/handling
fees.
Fans can order the official
CMA Awards Program Book and merchandise including long and short
sleeved T-shirts, hats, a vest, a mug and a commemorative Hatch
Show Print Poster on the www.CMAawards.com online store.
"The 42nd Annual
CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association.
Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer. Paul Miller is the Director.
David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition
and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format,
with 5.1 channel surround sound. Premiere Radio Networks is the
official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio
simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline
of the 2008 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music.
Mary Kay is the Official Beauty Sponsor of the 2008 CMA Awards.
Additional promotional partners include Borders, Carl Black Chevrolet,
Durango Boot, Tetley Iced Tea and VAULT Citrus Soda.
Photo
by Frederick Breedon
Jewel
contributes her kiss to the Mary Kay "A Kiss for Country"
campaign against domestic violence.
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