Owney the dog is a loveable and inspirational figure in mail-service history and a friend to children and visitors to the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum. This historic pooch is now featured in Owney: Tales from the Rails, a new free eBook narrated and performed by country singer Trace Adkins, and available two ways—online and as an Apple iPad app. The animated children’s story brings to life the amazing true adventures of Owney the dog and is now available on the museum’s website www.postalmuseum.si.edu/owneyebook.

The adventures of Owney, a scruffy mutt who became the unofficial Railway Post Office mascot in the 1890s, are narrated through contemporary eyes and based on primary sources with a dash of imagination. Never before has Owney’s story come to life in such an entertaining way, combining narration and a musical soundtrack featuring Adkins. Owney: Tales from the Rails was produced by Amusme, written and directed by accomplished Disney veteran Jerry Rees, complemented by world-class illustrations by Fred Cline and features music written and scored by award-winning children’s entertainment architect Stephen Michael Schwartz, with underscore composed and mixed by Chris Rhyne.

“As a father of five, history buff and animal lover, I am very proud to work with the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum to bring Owney’s fascinating story to life,” said Adkins. “The song and this story provide a fun way for families to learn together.”

The website and iPad versions of the eBook, developed in tandem with the Postal Museum’s new Owney curriculum guide (www.npm.si.edu/owneycurriculum), provide rich learning platforms for elementary school students in geography, language arts and history. The illustrations and musical elements are particularly valuable to making the story accessible in multisensory ways for students who are challenged in reading.

“This eBook will allow families and classrooms all over the country to discover the story of Owney,” said K. Allison Wickens, director of education at the museum. “It is wonderful to see a book that combines such heart and artistry with historically accuracy. I love the animated illustrations and musical elements; they enrich the narration in ways a print book cannot.”

Owney, who is also the subject of a recently released official commemorative stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service, has been preserved and is on display at the museum. His encounters with his mail clerk friends provide an engaging and accessible window on history and the role dogs play in communities and as companions. This is the first of Owney’s published stories that is based on new discoveries in scholarship; recently uncovered articles and tags have shed new light on his relationship with postal clerks and his many destinations. From accounts of his origins to the detail on postal vehicles, uniforms and mailbags, the story conveys historical accuracy as well as emotion.
This project was made possible through the support of the Smithsonian Office of Education and Access.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

On Tuesday night men and women in uniform were joined by some of country music’s biggest stars to celebrate the premier of the film Act of Valor in Green Hills, TN. Joining some of the Navy Seals were Keith Urban, Wynonna, Trace Adkins, and Jake Owen who all have songs featured on the Act of Valor Soundtrack.

You can view more photos at WSIX.com.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

Trace Adkins will headline the 2nd annual NRA Country Jam in St. Louis, MO on Friday, April 13th.

“I can’t wait to take the stage at the NRA COUNTRY JAM 2. It’s going to be a great show,” said ADKINS.

The concert will take place at the annual NRA meeting and is sponsored by Folds of Honor which supports the families of fallen soldiers. To learn more click here.

For more information about the concert visit NRACountry.com.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

The Act of Valor soundtrack will hit stores on February 21st, featuring original songs written and inspired by the Navy SEAL action-thriller. It will include “For You,” a song written by Keith Urban that is featured in the film’s end credits, as well as music from Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Trace Adkins, Wynonna Judd, Montgomery Gentry, and more. In theaters February 24th, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy Seals along with actors Roselyn Sanchez, Alex Veadov, Jason Cottle and Nestor Serrano.

Produced and directed by Mike “Mouse” McCoy and Scott Waugh and written by Kurt Johnstad, Act of Valor takes audiences into the secretive world of the most elite, highly-trained force in the modern world as the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S. Inspired by true events, the film combines combat sequences, battlefield technology and heart-pounding emotion.

The track listing for the soundtrack includes Keith’s “For You,” “Guide You Home” (Sugarland), “I Was Here” (Lady Antebellum), “If the Sun Comes Up” (Trace Adkins), “Two Soldiers Coming Home” (Lori McKenna), “The Best I Can” (Jake Owen), “What It Takes”(Montgomery Gentry), “The Best of Me” (Josh Kelley), “Where We Left Off” (Hunter Hayes) and “Whatever Brings You Back” (Wynonna Judd).

The Act of Valorr soundtrack is available for pre-order now.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

Trace Adkins has added Ryman Auditorium to the list of theaters he will visit on his recently announced Songs & Stories Tour. On May 18th, Trace will host a “homecoming” of sorts at the historic venue, as he plays in Nashville, the city he’s called home for the past twenty years as a Country hitmaker.

Though a veteran performer who has graced the Ryman stage during Grand Ole Opry performances and special events in the past, this upcoming date will be the first time Adkins has performed a full-band performance at the venue. As with all the shows on the Songs & Stories Tour, intimate performances will incorporate stories, both humorous and meaningful, that pay homage to Adkins’ working-man roots and rich musical heritage.

Tickets for The Ryman performance go onsale to fan club members on Monday, 1/30 and to the public on Friday, 2/3. A full list of dates and ticket info is below.

Inspiration for the Songs & Stories Tour. came as Trace released his 10th studio album, Proud To Be Here, last summer with a CMT Invitation Only special. The special featured new hits “Just Fishin’” and “Million Dollar View,” a Q&A session and the most-loved songs from Adkins’ twenty year career. The taping was so fun for Trace and his guests that he began laying plans for a tour.

“The point of this Tour is to get together and share meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ – it’s the Country music tradition. The Ryman Auditorium also plays a very important role in the tradition of this genre, so it’s fitting that we would play this stage on this particular tour.”

Fans can share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives on the Songs & Stories page at www.traceadkins.com.

See the CMT performance that inspired the SONGS & STORIES TOUR:

TICKET ON-SALE DATES:

· March dates on sale now

· April & May dates go on sale to public on Friday, 2/3. (Fan club pre-sale begins Mon. 1/30).

SONGS & STORIES TOUR DATES (MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED):

March 8 Des Moines IA Hoyt Sherman

March 9 Kansas City MO Midland Theater by AMC

March 10 Peoria IL Civic Theater

March 15 Milwaukee WI Riverside Theater

March 16 Rochester MN Mayo Civic Theater

March 17 Grand Forks ND Chester Fritz Auditorium * Fan presale 1/30, public on-sale 2/3

March 22 Birmingham AL Alabama Theatre

April 12 Ashland KY Paramount Arts Center

April 14 Toledo OH Stranahan Theater

April 18 Louisville, KY The Palace Theater

April 19 Spartanburg SC Memorial Hall

April 20 Charlotte NC Ovens Auditorium

April 25 Denver CO Paramount Theater *fan presale 1/23, public on-sale 1/27

April 27 Salinas KS Stiefel Theater

April 28 Tulsa OK Brady Theater

May 3 N. Charleston SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center

May 4 Savannah GA Mercer Theater *fan presale 1/30, public on 2/10

May 10 Davenport IA Adler Theatre

May 11 South Bend IN Morris PAC *fan presale 1/30, public on-sale 2/4

May 12 Memphis TN Orpheum Theatre *fan presale 1/23, public on-sale 1/27

May 17 Atlanta GA Cobb Theater

May 18 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

Today Trace Adkins announced the Songs & Stories Tour, which will visit many of America’s most beautiful theaters this Spring. These intimate evenings of powerful performances will incorporate stories, both humorous and meaningful, that pay homage to Adkins’ working-man roots and rich musical heritage. Tickets for March dates go on sale to the public on Friday (1/27), more dates are expected to be added. A full list of dates and ticket info is below.

Inspiration for the Songs & Stories Tour came as Trace released his 10th studio album, Proud To Be Here, last summer with a CMT Invitation Only special. The special featured new hits “Just Fishin’” and “Million Dollar View,” a Q&A session and the most-loved songs from Adkins’ twenty year career. The taping was so fun for Trace and his guests that he began laying plans for a tour.

“I’ve had many narrow escapes and blessings in my life. The right song at the right time has been my saving grace and that’s something I have in common with the audience. Sharing meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ is the Country music tradition and I’m looking forward to it.”

Fans can share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives on the Songs & Stories page at www.traceadkins.com.

From humble beginnings as a small-town Louisiana roughneck, to a Country super star with a twenty year career of hits, to his recent roles as outspoken author and actor, Adkins’ life parallels the songs he sings. His albums showcase a range of earnest tributes and party anthems with humor and depth – the Songs & Stories Tour promises to offer the same.

TICKET ON-SALE DATES:

• March dates: public on sale Friday, 1/27 (Fan club pre-sale begins Mon. 1/23.)
• April & May dates: public on sale Friday, 2/3. (Fan club pre-sale begins Mon. 1/30).

Click Read More for a full list of upcoming tour dates and info:

SONGS & STORIES TOUR DATES (MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED):
March 8 Des Moines IA Hoyt Sherman
March 9 Kansas City MO Midland Theater
March 10 Peoria IL Civic Theater
March 15 Milwaukee WI Riverside Theater
March 16 Rochester MN Mayo Civic Theater * Fan presale 1/30, public on-sale 2/3
March 17 Grand Forks ND Chester Fritz Auditorium
March 22 Birmingham AL Alabama Theatre
April 12 Ashland KY Paramount Arts Center
April 14 Toledo OH Stranahan Theater
April 19 Spartanburg SC Memorial Hall
April 20 Charlotte NC Ovens Auditorium
April 21 Louisville KY The Palace Theatre
April 25 Denver CO Paramount Theater
April 27 Salinas KS Stiefel Theater
April 28 Tulsa OK Brady Theater
May 3 N. Charleston SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center
May 4 Savannah GA Mercer Theater *fan presale 1/30, public on 2/10
May 10 Davenport IA Adler Theatre
May 11 South Bend IN Morris PAC
May 12 Memphis TN Orpheum Theatre
May 17 Atlanta GA Cobb Theater

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Trace Adkins is Man of the House in the January 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping.   Get your copy on newsstands now.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com