With more than 40 artists confirmed, the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza will be rockin’ with back-to-back daily concerts during the 2013 CMA Music Festival, Thursday-Sunday, June 6-9, in downtown Nashville.

Sarah Darling will perform at the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena during the 2013 CMA Music Festival, June 6-9.
Photo courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Free and open to the public, the Bud Light Stage lineups kick-off on Thursday, June 6 at 10:30 AM/CT featuring crowd favorites and up-and-comers entertaining fans each day until 5:00 PM/CT.

“The location of the Bud Light Stage is perfectly situated to provide a place to discover new talent and reconnect with well-known hitmakers,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This stage was one of our most popular destinations in 2012 and I’m expecting the same level of enthusiasm and attendance again this year.”

Artists performing on the Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza include: Lauren Alaina; Dean Alexander; Katie Armiger; Frankie Ballard; Kelleigh Bannen; Big Smo; Bucky Covington; Dailey & Vincent; Sarah Darling; Emerson Drive; Rose Falcon; Andy Gibson; JT Hodges; Chris Janson; Angie Johnson; Krystal Keith; LoCash Cowboys; Robin Meade; Randy Montana; David Lee Murphy; Parmalee; Mac Powell; Michael Ray; Chase Rice; Canaan Smith; Joanna Smith; Chris Stapleton; Steel Magnolia; Pam Tillis with Lorrie Morgan; James Wesley; Chuck Wicks; and Drake White.

With 11 stages and many free lifestyle exhibits to explore throughout the Festival footprint in Nashville, CMA Music Festival is a great, family-friendly entertainment value. The concerts at the Bud Light Stage are fun in the sun and within easy walking distance of all the Festival event sites, including the all-new AT&T® U-verse® Fan Fair X (FFX) with autograph signings, concerts, lifestyle exhibits, marketplace, live broadcasts, demonstrations and more in the brand new, state-of-the-art Music City Center.

It all kicks off Thursday, June 6 with “Lady A Day at FFX” featuring Lady Antebellum performing, signing autographs, and cutting the ribbon when Fan Fair X officially opens to fans. Fan Fair X is free to four-day ticket holders, but tickets to this exciting new attraction are available to fans for $10 a day or $25 for four days Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, with children 12 and younger admitted for free. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or the CMA Music Festival Box Office by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) (price includes handling fees). Visit CMAfest.com for details.

Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news. Fans can also connect with CMA at Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, Pinterest.com/CMAworld, and Instagram.com/CMA_Country_Music_Association.

“If You See Something, Say Something” at CMA Music Festival
At CMA Music Festival, the safety of our attendees, artists, staff, and volunteers is of utmost importance. Therefore, CMA will be utilizing the “If You See Something, Say Something” program from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“If You See Something, Say Something” is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities.

All of those in attendance at CMA Music Festival are asked to be vigilant in reporting suspicious behavior and situations (e.g., an unattended backpack in a public place or someone trying to break into a restricted area).

If suspicious activity is suspected, attendees are encouraged to text ALERT (space) and the LOCATION of the suspicious activity to 66937. There will also be a special Festival law enforcement phone number posted throughout the event area for attendees to call to report suspicious activity.

Factors such as race, ethnicity, national origin, or religious affiliation alone are not suspicious. For that reason, the public should report only suspicious behavior and situations (e.g., an unattended backpack in a public place or someone trying to break into a restricted area) rather than beliefs, thoughts, ideas, expressions, associations, or speech unrelated to terrorism or other criminal activity.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet™ is the Official Ride of Country Music. Bud Light is the Official Beer of the CMA Music Festival. Pepsi is the Official Soft Drink of the CMA Music Festival. Transitions® Adaptive Lenses: the Official Eyewear of the CMA Music Festival. American Airlines is the Official Airline of CMA Music Festival. Bad Boy Buggies are the Official UTV of the CMA Music Festival.

JT Hodges will perform at the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena during the 2013 CMA Music Festival, June 6-9.
Photo credit: Glen Rose

Boldly go to the theater to see the new voyage of the starship Enterprise in STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS.

Star Trek: Into Darkness
Paramount

Director J.J. Abrams follows up his amazing 2009 film with a sci-fi adventure that has all the elements you loved in the first one with even stronger character dynamics. This summer is full of sequels and even trilogies and if this one is any taste of what is to come then this will be a summer to remember.

This time around there is one man (Benedict Cumberbatch) trying to bring destruction to the world and it is up to Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and crew to stop him. What they find is an adversary that is strong, calculating, and possibly unstoppable; unless they join him. Kirk must walk the line between what is right and what will work. As usual his rebellious nature causes him to come under scrutiny. He must learn to rely on the wisdom and advise of others to balance his full speed ahead spirit.

The entire cast is back in this one including Spock (Zachary Quinto), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg), and Bones (Karl Urban). This cast is so solid that you almost forget that they have only been together one other time. The chemistry and interaction is smooth and unblemished. The fast paced dialogue and quick wit that made the other one so enjoyable is back in this one but never feels rehashed or regurgitated. It is fresh and funny. But Trek fans need not worry that the action takes a back seat. This one adds even more sci-fi adventure and out of this world feats. I loved the look of this film and even the 2D version loses nothing in depth and solar emersion. The edits are fast the action never bogs down.

Cumberbatch is familiar to fans of the Sherlock TV series and here uses that focused gaze to create a steely enemy that is menacing and chilling. His skills in both action and mental conversation elevate this film even more. It is a perfect addition to this award worthy ensemble. Again it must be stressed how well written this sequel is. It goes to show that you do not have to take a back seat and ride on the tails of the first film. It is very evenly balanced and like the 2009 version offers plenty to both die hard Trek fans and newcomers alike. The relationship between Kirk and Spock have to be spot on. Pine and Quinto are a perfect duo and must have studied the original series since they once again capture every aspect of the characters.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence. It follows the template of the first one in that regard. There are a few very brief moments of sensuality and language but doesn’t use that to distract from the solid action. I easily give it 5 out of 5 metaphors. The film makers desired to outdo the original and succeeded in every way. I have a hard time finding one thing wrong with this film and how it works for the genre.

Review copyright 2013 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.

Terri Main’s Bible study on the Lord’s Prayer

Author Terri Main chose the image of Albrecht Durer’s painting, The Praying Hands, as the cover for her new book, Teach Us to Pray, part of the WordMaster 99 Cents Bible Study series. Main shared the story behind this famous painting.

“Albrecht Durer’s famous painting of The Praying Hands graces many households. Those two work worn hands held in humble prayer before God celebrate pure devotion found in our time of communion with God. However powerful the painting, the story behind the painting is equally powerful.

“Albrecht Durer lived in a town outside of Nuremberg in the 15th Century. He and his brother Albert both had a dream of going to Nuremberg to study art. However, neither one could afford to go. So, they decided that one of them would go to school and the other would stay home with their family and go to work in the mines to support the other while away at school. Then four years later, they would switch places and the graduate would support the other either by his art or by going to the mines. A coin toss determined that Albrecht would go to school and Albert would go to the mines.

“Four years later, Albrecht returned home with academic honors and promising career as an artist and announced to his family, that as per his promise, he would support Albert. But Albert held up his hands. His fingers were gnarled and crooked, He had broken most of them in the mines. Arthritis had set in and he could no longer hold a paint brush.

“His sacrifice made his brother’s success possible. Albrecht Durer painted the praying hands as an homage to that sacrifice.

“I chose this picture for the cover of Teach Us to Pray since I feel it reflects the power and comfort that comes from prayer and to honor the sacrifice of the one who taught us to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven…”

Teach Us to Pray is a Bible study based upon The Lord’s Prayer. The study guide is designed for both individual and group Bible study. Each lesson has a short commentary followed by a list of scriptures and study questions.

“I’ve taught this several times,” Main states, “and it never gets old to me.”

Teach Us to Pray is available as a Kindle ebook.

Popular singer/songwriter and worship leader Jeff Slaughter, best known to millions as the composer behind Lifeway’s Vacation Bible School’s most beloved songs, has authored his first book, It’s All True—Walking By Faith in a Funky World.

The autobiography, due to be released by Skyhorse Publishing May 21, tells of Slaughter’s life before his success in Christian music, including witnessing the tragic death of his young niece and enduring the lengthy battles that both of his parents lost with illness. Slaughter, with co-writer Randy Winton, balances his heartbreak with tales of joy from his childhood growing up along the Mississippi Delta. Music superstar Amy Grant wrote the forward for the book.

“I love a good story. A good one at the right time can change your life. Reading Jeff’s has certainly affected mine,” Grant writes in the book’s forward. “There are pivotal moments in all our lives, but rarely has one man’s courageous story so gracefully expressed the perseverance, hope—and, yes, faith—we all rely on to get by.”

Industry experts estimate more than 46 million people have sung Slaughter’s songs throughout the world. The inspiration for some of his most touching and meaningful songs comes from the experiences he recounts in It’s All True, including the song entitled “It’s All True.” From his childhood in Greenwood, Miss., to his world tours through Vacation Bible School, Slaughter’s story will speak to those who search for faith, and for the hope that life will lead them beyond their present circumstance.

Whether it’s the grief of watching someone you love deteriorate, or the hilariously awkward retelling of personal family matters, It’s All True reaffirms that it is possible to thrive in a funky world.

It’s All True has earned praise from Slaughter’s colleagues in Christian music and Christian ministries.

“I’m thrilled that this man of ‘countenance and character’ has finally written his stories down,” says Kim Hill, Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning recording artist. “He is a treasure and his book will quickly become a favorite for you and your friends.”

“We know you’ll be touched by Jeff’s honesty and humor (and amazing songwriting talent, which can’t help but shine through in these pages!),” says Grammy Award-winning artist Michael W. Smith and his wife, Debbie Smith.

“Once you meet Jeff Slaughter, you never forget him,” says Dr. Tom Blackaby, author and international director for Blackaby Ministries International. “Have a handkerchief nearby to wipe away the tears of laughter and the tears of sadness.”

For more information about Slaughter and It’s All True, visit jeffslaughter.com.

Photo caption, top: Skyhorse Publishing is set to release It’s All True, the first book from popular singer/songwriter and worship leader Jeff Slaughter on May 21. (Skyhorse Publishing photo)

Photo caption, bottom: Music superstar Amy Grant, right, wrote the forward for It’s All True, the debut book from Jeff Slaughter, left. (Jeff Slaughter photo)

About Jeff Slaughter:
Jeff Slaughter is a popular recording artist and world-renowned worship leader who has worked with some of the biggest stars in music, including Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Faith Hill, and Amy Grant. He was enlisted by Lifeway—the world’s largest provider of Christian resources—to be the sole songwriter for their Vacation Bible School for 16 years, and his songs have impacted millions of children and families. Christian music fans will recognize him as the writer of the No. 1 radio single, “One More Broken Heart,” by Point of Grace.

As a solo artist, Slaughter has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, Canada and Central America.

For more information about Slaughter and It’s All True, visit jeffslaughter.com or like him on Facebook (facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Slaughter-Ministries) or Twitter (@jeff_slaughter).

About Randy Winton:
Randy Winton, co-author of It’s All True, is also the author of In My Shoes and a youth ministry veteran, following an award-winning career as a sportswriter.

About Skyhorse Publishing:
Skyhorse Publishing was launched in September 2006 by Tony Lyons, former president and publisher of the Lyons Press, and its first titles were published in March 2007. Lyons talked to dozens of potential investors, all of whom asked the same question: “Can a new book publishing company make it in the current environment?” His response remains: “Succeeding as an independent publisher is not going to be easy, but by scouring the country for genre books that large publishers ignore, resurrecting forgotten classics, and by moving both more quickly and with greater attention to detail than other publishers, I believe we can flourish.”

Skyhorse, with its four imprints (Arcade Publishing, Allworth Publishing, Sports Publishing, and Sky Pony Press), now boasts a backlist of more than 2,000 titles. Since its founding, Skyhorse has published an eclectic and maverick list that includes books on history, politics, rural living, humor, and more. With its imprints, the Skyhorse program now includes business, art, fiction, regional books, and children’s books. Skyhorse has had six New York Times bestsellers.

Skyhorse is distributed by W. W. Norton in the United States, Thomas Allen & Son in Canada, and Constable & Robinson, one of England’s oldest and most respected independent publishers, in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

For more information, visit skyhorsepublishing.com.

Gary Moore, recently seen at the Midnight Mission’s Golden Heart Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel, has been added to the cast of the inspirational film, I Am Potential, a new feature film based on the true-life story of Patrick Henry Hughes.

Gary Moore
photo by JJPhotoz

Moore, repped by Trinity Talent will play one of Patrick’s doctors.

You can watch Moore this month, Memorial Day, in the INSP mini-series, Courage, New Hampshire and the award winning film, Jimmy, on the GMC Network June 2nd with Ted Levine. He can also be seen in the award winning, soon to be released film, Return to the Hiding Place with John Rhys-Davies.

THE GREAT GATSBY finally hits theaters after a delayed release. Initially intended for Christmas of 2012 this remake of the 1974 classic has a strong leading man and a few supporting actors who get the job done, though in forgettable fashion. There are things to love about this one but sadly it is plagued with creative decisions that will leave many shaking their head in frustration.

The Great Gatsby
Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald the story centers around Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) an eccentric millionaire who befriends Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), a quiet Midwesterner. Carraway is soon sucked into the flamboyant life of Gatsby and his endless parties and acquaintances. There is a mystery surrounding Gatsby and no one seems to really know who he is or where he came from. The rumors abound and soon Nick begins to learn more of Gatsby’s obsessions and personal demons.

They story is well known both from the novel and the 1974 film starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Those who appreciate the prose and understand Gatsby will enjoy this one. Even those that have no earlier connection will soon be drawn to the character due mainly to DiCaprio’s performance. Gatsby is very flawed but we still feel drawn to him and his passions. He is in love with a married woman named Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and will do anything to be with her. It is this determination that makes this as much a love story as any out there. And again, Leonardo gives an award worthy performance.

The book and film is set in the 20′s which is all a film maker would need to create a world of music, color and revelry. But sadly the director (Baz Luhrmann) felt the need to turn the movie into a kaleidoscope of modern music, unneeded extravagance, and delivers something that at times seems cartoonish. These elements were so distracting and almost an offense to Fitzgerald’s work. Lurmann also directed Moulin Rouge! and the 1996 version of Romeo + Juliet. Though these were cutting edge films for the time, that graphic novel approach was unwarranted here and a detriment to the outcome of the picture. It detracted more than it added.

THE GREAT GATSBY is rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content, smoking, partying and brief language and has a running time of 2 hours and 23 minutes. It never really pushes the envelope for the rating but still it is suited for those 16 and over mainly due to the adult themes. I doubt anyone under 16 would want to sit through this film but if you have to drag along an offspring make sure they are a little older to handle the mature content. I give it 3.5 out of 5 fast cars. Superb acting from Leo but a visual monstrosity. And please, do not bother with the 3D. It just makes it worse.

Review copyright 2013 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.

As TNT prepares to launch the third season of Falling Skies,the network will give viewers the chance to catch up on the riveting first two seasons.

Noah Wyle stars in the epic drama, which comes to TNT from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg.

On Monday, May 27, TNT will present a Memorial Day marathon of the entire first season, beginning at 10 a.m. (ET/PT). The following Saturday, June 1, TNT will roll out the entire second season, beginning at 10 a.m. (ET/PT). Then on Saturday, June 8, the day before the new season begins, TNT will present the backhalf of the second season, beginning at 7 a.m. (ET/PT). A complete schedule for all three marathons is included below.

The war against an occupying alien force will enter a volatile new phase when Falling Skies returns for its third season with a two-hour television event Sunday, June 9, beginning at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). The top-rated summer drama will then settle into its regular timeslot Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

In addition to Wyle, Falling Skies stars Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Connor Jessup, Maxim Knight, Seychelle Gabriel, Mpho Koaho,Colin Cunningham and Sarah Carter. As the new season of Falling Skies opens, seven months have passed since the survivors of the 2^ndMass reached Charleston, which has been named capital of the New United States. The government has formed a tenuous alliance with a band of rebel skitters, but the alliance may not be enough to overpower the enemy Espheni, whose forces are now being led by an even more sinister overlord. To complicate matters further, another race of aliens has just entered the battlefield. Among the guest stars set to appear this season on Falling Skies are Doug Jones,Gloria Reuben, Robert Sean Leonard, Stephen Collins and Terry O’Quinn.

Falling Skies debuted on TNT in summer 2011 and ranked as basic cable’s #1 new series of the year. The show returned last summer, garnering 5.6 million viewers and ranking as basic cable’s #1 summer drama with adults 25-54 (3 million).

Falling Skies is produced for TNT by DreamWorks Television. Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank serve as executive producers, along with Remi Aubuchon and Greg Beeman.

God’s Country is a nice little film for a family movie night.

God’s Country
Slingshot Pictures

The photography is lovely, and scenes of the desert are at times downright breathtaking. And let’s just be honest – any movie that sports a Ferrari can’t be all bad. That said, God’s Country struggles under the weight of being an under-funded, ultra-low budget, faith-based film. Fine directing, acting and editing lift it above the norm for the genre, but acting and directing can only go so far to cover up the thinly-written script.

The plot centers around beautiful and ambitious Meghan Doherty (convincingly portrayed by Jenn Gotzon), a dragon-lady investment banker with the assignment to close a career-making deal. All she has to do to is travel to the Mojave desert and get the land rights for God’s Country, an isolated Christian retreat in foreclosure. How hard could it be?

But the minister (Michael Toland) who owns the property refuses to consider her offer until she agrees to spend six days learning about his ministry. Meghan trades her stilettos for hiking boots, her Ferrari for a four-wheeler and slowly comes to realize the value of what the rural camp has to offer. Time in God’s Country, away from the hustle and bustle of the workaday world, works its magic on Meghan, and she predictably decides to throw in her lot with the underdogs…but will her efforts be enough to save the camp?

God’s Country features some fine performances from stars Gotzon and Toland, along with pleasant turns from the supporting cast that includes Daniel Hugh Kelly, Gib Gerard and Gonzalo Menendez.

NBC selected six-time Grammy Award-winner and multi-platinum recording artist, Carrie Underwood, to perform “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” the opening theme for primetime television’s No. 1 program, Sunday Night Football on NBC.

Country music superstar Underwood, the season-four winner of American Idol, makes her Sunday Night Football debut on Sunday, September 8 on NBC’s first SNF broadcast of the 2013 NFL season, a heated NFC East rivalry game when Dallas Cowboys host the New York Giants. The opening theme will continue each week kicking off Sunday Night Football every Sunday night throughout the NFL season on NBC.

“I am thrilled to be a part of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and am so honored they asked me,” said Underwood. “I have always loved football season, and it is so exciting to now become part of it every Sunday night!”

Since winning American Idol and releasing her debut album in 2005, Underwood has sold over 15 million albums, and placed 17 No. 1 singles on the charts.  Her recent album, Blown Away, made history by debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart, making Underwood only the second country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at No. 1.

“Carrie Underwood was our first and only choice to perform the Sunday Night Football opening,” said SNF producer Fred Gaudelli. “She’s one of America’s most popular entertainers and the perfect fit for our show.”

The now platinum-selling Blown Away album also debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, making Underwood only the second country artist in history to have three consecutive albums debut at No. 1.  She is a six-time Grammy winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.

“Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” is set to the original Joan Jett song, “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and marks Underwood’s first production with NBC Sports. From 2007-2012, the song was performed by music superstar Faith Hill and in 2006, the inaugural season of Sunday Night Football, Pink performed the open.

Underwood is currently headlining and selling out arenas across North America on her “Blown Away Tour.”  The tour, which launched last June, has played in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia, and will perform a total of 112 dates by the time is wraps on May 23 in Abbotsford, BC, Canada.

Sunday Night Football, which averaged 21.8 million viewers in the 2012 season, is primetime television’s No. 1 program.

My first thought when I received the notice for the IRON MAN 3 screening was, “do we need another Iron Man movie?”

The first film was superb, the second one mediocre at best, plus we had a good dose of the suited, brilliant, billionaire, playboy Tony Stark in the Avengers film. My concern was not only that the franchise would suffer with more movies but also that viewer burnout would be high. Boy, am I glad when I am wrong. This could be the best helping of Iron Man yet.

Though certainly not an origin film we do get a bit of back-story into Tony and the current villain. We quickly get to present day in the wake of the alien attacks witnessed in THE AVENGERS. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is more popular than ever and his relationship with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) closer than ever. Things are humming along until a maniacal terrorist by the name of The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) begins plotting an attack against the US. It will take all of Stark’s brain power to come out on top.

There is no doubt that RDJ is the reason we gravitate to the franchise. Yes IRON MAN is cool but it is Stark that is the rock star. That could be the reason that in this one we get more of Tony outside the suit. He said clearly in the first film, “I am Iron Man.” This allows him to carry the film fine just as he is. But don’t worry. There is a bunch of heavy metal in this one for those who simply want the fire power. And they are the best creation yet.

This one has a superb villain too which is a must for super hero films. Kingsley gives a performance that will astound. Guy Pearce also stars as Aldrich Killian, a scientist that sadly chooses the dark side to work his skills. The story line is solid and does not rely simply on gadgets and familiarity. It is engaging from start to finish and offers up tons of Stark sarcasm and humor. You will find yourself laughing out loud then on the edge of your seat and instantly cheering. Also, the effects and visualls are incredible. The action sequences are well thought out and executed with precision.

IRON MAN 3 is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief suggestive content. This does nothing content wise than the other before it. I give it 4.5 out of 5 rewires. After the barrage of Marvel films and an onslaught of hero flicks you would think it would grow old. But this one delivers everything you want and will revitalize your excitement for the summer heroes.