Country Music Returns to the
Bayou Segnette Sports Complex

Country music filled the Alario Center when Clint Black came to town in September and now we are proud to welcome Country on Whiskey Bayou to the Alario Center Festival Grounds on Sunday, March 28^th.  John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence and Emerson Drive headline the outdoor festival which will also feature Billy Currington, Colt Prather and Meghan Linsey.

Country on Whiskey Bayou, in its inaugural year, is a spin off of Country Party now in its 8th consecutive year.  Country on Whiskey Bayou, a partnership between CMT, CMT.com, WNOE 101.1 FM Clear Channel Radio and Country Productions, expects to draw 15,000+ country fans for a groundbreaking country event.  Country on Whiskey Bayou plans to deliver the first live remote of “CMT Central” from the event. Not only will country fans be afforded the unique opportunity to experience a day long festival celebrating the country music genre in a family setting, but also one that is broadcast nationwide.

John Michael Montgomery was introduced in late 1992 with "Life's A Dance," which shot straight up to the Top 10, announcing John Michael as country's most exciting new voice. A year later he topped himself with "I Love The Way You Love Me," which rose all the way to #1. At the following spring's ACM Awards, it was named Song of the Year and Montgomery was proclaimed Top New Male Vocalist. That same year, he claimed the Favorite New Country Artist at the American Music Awards, and took home Star of Tomorrow honors at the TNN/Music City News Awards.  In the ten critically acclaimed years that followed, Montgomery has roped a herd of Grammy's, Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and ACM Awards, while selling in excess of 15 million records. In addition, John Michael has six RIAA album certifications (five platinum and multi-platinum and one gold), 17 Top 5 country singles and six Top 5 albums.

Tracy Lawrence landed a recording contract just months after arriving in Nashville. His first album, 1991's Sticks and Stones, catapulted him to the top of the charts, yielding three No. 1 hits (including the title track) and one Top 10 hit. When his debut album went platinum, it set the tone for the rest of his career. Lawrence has had two platinum records and two double platinum records (1996's Time Marches On and 1993's Alibis).  Lawrence was named the Academy of Country Music's top new male vocalist and SRO's best new touring artist in 1993.

Emerson Drive is one of the newest imports from Canada.  Their roots began in a high school talent contest and from that the original trio was first created.  After some local gigs the trio added three new band mates and called themselves Emerson Drive taking their name from the Emerson Trail, which crosses western Alberta and joins the Alaskan Highway. They released their self-titled U.S. debut on DreamWorks Nashville in 2002 and cracked the Top 5 with "I Should Be Sleeping" and "Fall Into Me."  They also earned a 2003 Canadian CMA (Vocal Duo or Group of the Year) and 2003 Academy of Country Music Award (Top New Vocal Duet/Group).  Three members of the band have recently left before its second DreamWorks CD “What If?” due to be released May 18, 2004.

Billy Currington’s self titled debut album has met with commercial success on Mercury Records.  The video for his current single “I Got a Feelin” is nominated in two categories for this year's CMT 2004 Flame Worthy Video Music Awards.  Growing up in Rincon, Georgia about 30 minutes outside of Savannah, his self professed “humble beginnings” can be heard in his music, which often recalls a time when life seemed simpler, although the singer-songwriter certainly can’t claim to have had an easy life.  Currington’s second attempt at living in Nashville proved to be the break he was looking for.  While working at a concrete company, 16 hours a day, six days a week, and playing clubs on the side, a producer took his demos to Mercury who promptly signed him.

Colt Prather, born in Pinon, New Mexico to a family of great musicians and singers, music has always been a defining force in Colt Prather’s life.  The road to Nashville’s famed Music Row started with high school bands which led to his first touring country band that played clubs 49 weeks out of the year. Later, Prather took a fulltime gig with the legendary house band at the Stock-Yard Restaurant and Bar in Nashville. His reputation as a vocalist and musician quickly spread around Music Row, and Sony Music executives soon signed him to Epic Nashville.

Louisiana's own, Meghan Linsey is quickly developing a reputation as a powerful, new voice in country music. Meghan's story begins in New Orleans, where she was born, but later moved across the lake to Ponchatoula. She has grown up surrounded by music.  Bernie Cyrus, Executive Director of Louisiana Music says, "Meghan is Louisiana's best up and coming, new country artist". Rarely does a young artist with Meghan's gift for singing evolve so completely. Meghan's album, "This Is Now", is a realization of a dream and the perseverance it takes to achieve. The reviews describe this dream as a “remarkable listening experience.”

Country on Whiskey Bayou is Sunday, March 28^th at the Alario Center’s Festival Grounds.  Tickets are on sale now for $20 at all Ticketmaster outlets.  Tickets will also be available the day of the show for $25.  VIP tickets are also available by calling (504) 891-8026.  The show happens rain or shine.  For more information on Country on Whiskey Bayou visit their website at www.countryonwhiskeybayou.com.