News

DARIUS RUCKER TO HOST 2012 ACM LIFTING LIVES® CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC TO BENEFIT THE DIANE HOLCOMB EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 AT TPC LAS VEGAS PART OF THE WEEK VEGAS GOES COUNTRY®

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BENEFICIARY QUIETLY SUPPORTS THE COUNTRY MUSIC INDUSTRY HOW & WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST

ENCINO, CA (March 26, 2012) – The Academy of Country Music announced today that chart-topping country music star Darius Rucker will host the ACM Lifting Lives® Celebrity Golf Classic on Saturday, March 31, 2012 as part of The Week Vegas Goes Country® – the week leading up to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, a star-studded event produced for television by dick clark productions that will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.  The following night Rucker will join an all-star ensemble for ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert, the once-in-a-lifetime concert event taping Monday, April 2, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.  Rucker will collaborate with the legendary Lionel Richie for a performance of “Stuck On You.”  The special will air Friday, April 13, 2012 on the CBS Television Network.

The Golf Classic—the sixth held since 2004—brings together country music artists, record label executives and other members of the music community in a star-studded scramble tournament to raise funds and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need in the music industry.

Rucker, an avid golfer, has been very involved with ACM Lifting Lives. In 2011, on the 46th Annual Awards telecast, he performed the original song "Music From the Heart" with campers from the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, to bring awareness to a national audience about those with developmental disabilities.  Rucker also penned the song "Together, Anything is Possible" to raise money for the PGA's charitable initiatives.

“After a three year break, I’m delighted the tournament will take place again and that Darius will host,” said Gayle Holcomb, who donated seed money to the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund in 2006, in honor of her mother. “The industry has been served by the Fund in so many ways we don’t publicize, helping music industry professionals when they need it most, meeting private financial urgent needs.”

"ACM Lifting Lives is honored to have Darius host the 2012 ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic," said Lisa Huddleson, Executive Director for ACM Lifting Lives. "His continued generosity and support of our organization has been instrumental in our growing success and his golf game is sure to challenge his fellow country artists." 

The golf tournament will exclusively cater to a golfers at TPC Las Vegas, a par 71, 7,063-yard golf course designed by architect Bobby Weed and player consultant Raymond Floyd. The TPC Las Vegas Golf Course is recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System.  Featuring stunning views of Red Rock Canyon and the famed Las Vegas skyline, the course is located within the nation’s largest master-planned community of Summerlin and is just minutes from the world-famous Las Vegas strip.

About ACM Lifting Lives

ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.  Each year, ACM Lifting Lives provides grants to music therapy and music education programs.  Other giving includes serving members of the country music community who face unexpected medical or financial hardship through the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund and partnering with artists to improve lives through music.  Since 2009, the ACM Lifting Lives on-stage moment has raised over $200,000 for designated charities.  Downloads and direct donations of Toby Keith’s performance on the 45th annual telecast, and Darius Rucker’s performance on the 46th annual telecast raised funds and awareness for Stand Up to Cancer and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center respectively.  For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

About the Academy of Country Music Awards

The 47th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry.  The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.  Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers.  Barry Adelman is producer, and Bob Bardo is the executive in charge of production. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.  For more information, please visit www.acmcountry.com.