Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” resonated throughout the nation on Sunday, as well as in the aftermath of the devastating events of September 11th (2001). The country superstar took part in A Concert for Hope, performing “Where Were You” right before President Obama addressed the nation on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The concert, which took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (it was originally scheduled to originate from the National Cathedral), was the finale for “A Call to Compassion,” a three-day event which began on Friday.

• R-&-B legend Patti LaBelle and renowned opera star Denyce Graves also performed during the special tribute.
• Check out the video clip taken from the calltocompassion.org live streaming event.

Lady Antebellum will release their third album, Own the Night, on Tuesday (September 13th), and the title has been described by the band as a “call to action.” So, we asked the band how they would describe how they each own the night. While there were similarities, for example, when they perform for their fans, they do “own the night” in different ways. “I think the trick is learning how to own the night on the normal nights,” Hillary Scott explains. ”In my personal life, turning off my cell phone and just being present in the moment with my fiancé at dinner, or watching a movie, or cooking dinner at home and just relaxing. It’s truly a state of mind.” For the married Charles Kelley, it’s spending time at home. “The nights I remember now more than anything now are the nights being with my wife,” he says. “We cook out, and it’s just the two of us, and we’re sitting there eating in front of the TV watching our favorite show, and it’s just very special. There’s something very nice about that.” Dave Haywood says those nights on stage performing for fans are extraordinary to him. “It’s easy just to kind of get on stage and forget where you are and what you’re doing,” he explains. “But I think when we’re in these live show scenarios, finding just that energy of making a special moment that night and making something that hopefully people will remember and having that connection with them that will be a memorable night.”

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott says “owning the night” is about those “normal” nights when she’s not on stage or in the studio.

Lady A (Owning the Night) OC: …takes work. :47

“For me, owning the night can be anything from, for example, the Grammy’s — having that experience and feeling on top of the world and feeling almost like it was an out-of-body experience, but those nights are very rare. I think the trick is learning how to own the night on the normal nights. Every night during our shows, looking out into the audience and finding those people who, they’re just glowing. They’re having such a great time and focusing on them. And then in my personal life, turning off my cell phone and just being present in the moment with my fiancé at dinner, or watching a movie, or cooking dinner at home and just relaxing. It’s truly a state of mind. It’s a mindset that you kind of let yourself get into, and sometimes it takes work.” 

AUDIO: As their lives get crazier because of their success, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley explains how he “Owns the Night” at home.

Lady A (Owning the Night-Charles) OC: …cool thing. :32

CK: “Honestly, for me, the nights I remember now more than anything now are the nights that being with my wife. We cook out and it’s just the two of us. And we’re sitting there eating in front of the TV watching our favorite show, and it’s just very special. There’s something very nice about that. And also, too, just nights out with the band. And we go out and you feel like, ‘Man, we’re really doing it.’ We’re all out having a drink together and celebrating a great show and just soak it up. Like being in a traveling band, this has been a dream of mine forever. And to be out there really doing it, and recognizing that, is a cool thing.”

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood explains how he “Owns the Night” on the road.

Lady A (Owning the Night-Dave) OC: …memorable night. :28

“Yeah. I think when we’re on the road, too, just enjoying and finding the uniqueness in each of the shows that we play, and not just going through the motions. It’s easy just to kind of get onstage and forget where you are and what you’re doing. But I think when we’re in these live show scenarios, finding just that energy of making a special moment that night and making something that hopefully people will remember and having that connection with them that will be a memorable night.”

Eric Paslay has hit the country charts with his debut single, “Never Really Wanted,” which is connecting to both men and women because of its subject matter. “I think ‘Never Really Wanted’ is the song that every girl wished some guy would tell her, even if she wanted him back or not, and even if he deserved it or not, she’d love to hear him say it,” says Eric. “I think guys agree with it, because we’re the idiots that either never officially asked her out or was being a jerk because we were young and stupid.”

• “Never Really Wanted” hit iTunes this week.
• Eric is also enjoying his first No. 1 song…that he wrote. “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” which was recorded by Jake Owen, has already been certified gold and topped the country charts this week.
• Eric is not only a talented singer, songwriter and performer, but he’s also a talented carpenter and all-around handyman. He recently began remodeling a bathroom in his home.

AUDIO: Eric Paslay talks about his debut single, “Never Really Wanted.”

Eric Paslay (Never Really Wanted) OC: …young and stupid. :19

“I think ‘Never Really Wanted’ is the song that every girl wished some guy would tell her. Even if she wanted him back or not, and even if he deserved it or not, she’d love to hear him say it. I think guys agree with it, because we’re the idiots that either never officially asked her out or was being a jerk because we were young and stupid.”

The following is a corrected version of Washington National Cathedral’s advisory about this weekend’s September 11 Commemoration. All events Sunday morning including the Interfaith Vigil will be held at Washington Hebrew Congregation Sunday evening’s event will be at the Kennedy Center.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, September 8, 2011

CONTACT: Ari Geller or Meredith MacKenzie, Rabinowitz-Dorf Communications:
(202) 265-3000 (o), ari@rabinowitz-dorf.com (202) 689-4985 (c) or meredith@rabinowitz-dorf.com (202) 427-2007 (c) **Media Advisory** Washington National Cathedral Commemoration of September 11 Moved to Kennedy Center

Washington, D.C.—Washington National Cathedral announced today that due to the crane accident on the Cathedral grounds yesterday, September 7, it will be moving its 9/11 commemorative events to various locations in the area including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the concerts scheduled for Friday night and Sunday night. These events include “A Concert to Honor” featuring Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, the Marine Chamber Orchestra, and United States Navy Band Sea Chanters on Friday, September 9, and culminate with “A Concert for Hope” on Sunday, September 11, which includes remarks from President Barack Obama, and performances by renowned mezzo soprano Denyce Graves, country star Alan Jackson, and R&B legend Patti LaBelle. Saturday’s community day concert will be rescheduled for a later date. Sunday morning’s Interfaith Vigil will take at Washington Hebrew Congregation and will host Sunday’s commemorative Eucharist service along with the forum featuring Karen Armstrong. All confirmed tickets for the Friday and Sunday night concerts will be honored in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

“We are grateful that there were no serious injuries in the crane accident, and while we are disappointed that we will not be able to host our ‘Call to Compassion’ commemoration in the Cathedral itself, we are determined to live out our mission to serve as the spiritual home for the nation as we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001,” said Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III. “The safety of our visitors and the staff of the Cathedral is our top priority, and we will make no compromises when it comes to that responsibility. At the same time we will not let obstacles put in our way stop us from fulfilling our mission as the spiritual home for the nation.”

At 10:55 Wednesday morning, the construction crane working on the south side of the Cathedral to stabilize debris from the August 23 earthquake fell over. The crane operator sustained minor injuries, was treated, and was released from the hospital last night. The Cathedral itself did not sustain any additional damage during the incident. The Herb Cottage, a gift shop on the grounds, and Church House, the headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, did sustain some minor damages.

Press does not need to request new credentials; current requests are under review. Updated details and schedule follow.

Friday, September 9, 2011—LOCATION: KENNEDY CENTER CONCERT HALL—”A Concert to Honor” featuring Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and a performance of the Brahms Requiem to honor the victims of 9/11 and survivors, their families, and emergency response personnel, as well as the nearly 6,000 fallen military service members whose lives have since been lost in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What: Address by military leaders and the Brahms Requiem performed by the Marine Chamber Orchestra and the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters with the Cathedral Choir
Where: KENNEDY CENTER CONCERT HALL
When: 7:30–9:30 pm

Saturday, September 10, 2011— POSTPONED—”A Concert to Heal” and Community Gathering Day The Cathedral invites families to attend a free public concert featuring local artists and music encouraging interfaith understanding across cultures and generations to experience healing from loss and division. On this day, we recall the unity Americans felt in the face of the attacks on 9/11, and the common values that helped us become stronger as one nation and one people.

What:  Performances by Sweet Honey in the Rock, Ocho de Bastos and other local artists
When: POSTPONED

Sunday, September 11, 2011—Commemorating the tenth anniversary of September 11

The events of the tenth anniversary of September 11 will recognize our darkest moments, and through music, prayer, and conversation, offer hope. The capstone event of the Cathedral’s commemorative weekend will take place on Sunday evening at “A Concert for Hope.” The concert will feature words of wisdom, songs of hope, and messages of peace.

Interfaith Prayer Vigil—LOCATION: WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION

What: A vigil where participants of diverse faiths will pray together and mark the moments when airplanes struck the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, hit the Pentagon, and crashed in Pennsylvania with the tolling of the largest bell in the Cathedral tower.
Where: WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION
When: 8:30–10 am
Who: Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III; Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane; Rabbi Bruce Lustig, Washington Hebrew Congregation; Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche of Tibet, Buddhist nun and incarnate lama; Dr. D.C. Rao, a Hindu priest serving on the Board of Directors of the Inter Faith Conference; Imam Mohamed Magid, president of the Islamic Society of North America; and musician Humayun Khan

Forum on Compassion
What: Guided conversation on what people of faith share in common
Where: WASHIGTON HEBREW CONGREATION
When: 10:15–11 am
Who: Author Karen Armstrong, Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III

Commemorative Holy Eucharist
What: A commemorative celebration of Holy Eucharist
Where: WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION
When: 11:15 am–12:30 pm
Who: Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane, presider; Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III, preacher; the Rev. Dr. Kathy J. Nelson, president, F.I.S.H. Foundation, Inc.

“A Concert for Hope”
What: A program of poetry, reading, reflections, and classical and popular music
Where: KENNEDY CENTER CONCERT HALL
When: 7:30–9 pm
Who: Speakers including President Barack Obama and performing artists, including Alan Jackson, Patti LaBelle,  Denyce Graves and the Marine Chamber OrchestraJUST IN:

VERSUS, USA, Syfy, G4 & NFL NETWORK TO AIR NFL KICKOFF PREGAME COVERAGE ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT 7 P.M. ET

NBC to Join in Progress Following President Obama’s Speech

NFL KICKOFF 2011 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTSExtended to 90 Minutes

NBC Adding NFL Special on Saturday Night at 8 p.m. ET

NEW YORK – September 7, 2011 – Due to President Barack Obama’s speech, four widely-distributed NBCUniversal cable channels – VERSUS, USA, Syfy and G4 – as well as  NFL Network will all begin coverage of NFL KICKOFF 2011 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS, the pregame show to officially celebrate the start of the 2011 NFL season, at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.

NFL Kickoff 2011, which has been extended to 90 minutes, was originally scheduled to air on NBC but is now being preempted due to President Obama’s speech, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET. NBC will join NFL Kickoff 2011 in progress once its coverage of the speech has concluded and VERSUS, USA, Syfy and G4 will resume their regularly-scheduled programming shortly thereafter. NFL Network will carry NFL Kickoff 2011 in its entirety.

The President’s speech is not expected to conflict in any way with NBC’s Thursday night coverage of the first game of the 2011 NFL season, scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET and featuring the last two Super Bowl champions — the New Orleans Saints at the Green Bay Packers — from historic Lambeau Field.

NFL Kickoff 2011 will feature musical performances by award-winning artists Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum and Maroon 5 from a stage adjacent to Lambeau Field. The musical performances are part of the celebration to kick off the 2011 season and to honor the Super Bowl champion Packers.  This is the 10^th consecutive Kickoff celebration to start the season and the eighth consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.

The 90-minute pregame celebration will also feature Football Night in America and Sunday Night Football commentators Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Peter King and Mike Florio live from Green Bay as they examine the impending 2011 NFL season.

On Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET, NBC is adding a one-hour NFL special to preview the season. It will look ahead to the first full Sunday of football, address the season’s major story lines, feature a Bob Costas interview with New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, and show unseen musical performances from NFL Kickoff 2011.

NBC concludes NFL Kickoff weekend on Sunday, September 11 with Football Night in America (7 p.m. ET) followed by Sunday Night Football (8:30 p.m. ET), featuring the Dallas Cowboys at the New York Jets, airing at their traditionally-scheduled times.

NBCUniversal’s NFL Kickoff Programming Schedule

Lady Antebellum will release their third studio album OWN THE NIGHT next Tues., Sept. 13.
 
After spending more time writing and recording than ever before, Lady A will kick off their international release schedule in Green Bay, WI tomorrow for a pregame performance airing live on NBC, USA Network and NFL Network from the NFL’s Kickoff 2011 (re-airs in primetime on Sept. 10 on NBC). The trio’s schedule from there includes TV appearances on GAC’s Backstory: Lady Antebellum (Sept. 11), a special 9/11 performance of the National Anthem on NBC before the Jets and Cowboys open their season at MetLife Stadium (Sept. 11), TODAY (Sept. 13), The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Sept. 16), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (Sept. 16), CBS Sunday Morning (Sept. 25) and Saturday Night Live (Oct. 1).

Throughout release week, Lady A will host a select number of lucky fans at their “Own The Night: Unplugged” concert series in Chicago (Sept. 10), New York City (Sept. 13) and Los Angeles (Sept. 15).  Lady A will also travel to Canada and Europe with more television appearances and fan events lined up over the course of the next month.  

“We’ve literally been working towards these next few weeks all year,” says Charles Kelley.  “The anticipation of being able to FINALLY share these songs with our fans is killing us.   Hopefully, those who have been with Lady A for a long time will see this as the next chapter for us as songwriters and performers; and the people who aren’t as familiar with us will check it out and maybe find something on the album they dig.  We’re really just excited to get it out, and then kick off the new tour.”

Fans can catch Lady Antebellum on the upcoming first leg of their headlining OWN THE NIGHT 2011 TOUR beginning on Nov. 11 in Knoxville, TN.  Both the tour name and trio’s upcoming album OWN THE NIGHT were inspired by their new second single, the anthemic “We Owned The Night.” The album’s record breaking lead single “Just A Kiss” recently spent multiple weeks at the top of radio charts in the U.S. and Canada. OWN THE NIGHT is the follow-up to the band’s triple PLATINUM and GRAMMY winning second disc NEED YOU NOW.

For a full list of appearances and tour dates, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood explains how he “Owns the Night.”

Lady A (Owning the Night-Dave) OC: …memorable night. :28

“Yeah. I think when we’re on the road, too, just enjoying and finding the uniqueness in each of the shows that we play, and not just going through the motions. It’s easy just kind of get onstage and forget where you are and what you’re doing. But I think when we’re in these live show scenarios, finding just that energy of making a special moment that night and making something that hopefully people will remember and having that connection with them that will be a memorable night.”

Luke Bryan recently wrapped his run with Tim McGraw’s Emotional Traffic trek, and the performer is set to hit the road on his upcoming CMT headlining trek this fall. In the midst of all this, Luke will also launch his third annual Farm Tour, which is scheduled to kick off September 29th in Clemson, South Carolina and wrapping October 7th in Carrolton, Georgia. “I think what’s cool about the farm tour is these events are a big event for these towns,” Luke says. “I just love the fact that people can come out and have a big time, listen to some music, and it’s just a fun experience all the way around.”

The idea for the Farm Tour concerts came from Bryan as a way to give back to local farming communities by celebrating and lifting up the American Farmer and offering a fun escape with the outdoor shows. Proceeds from the concerts will be made available as a scholarship for a student from a farming family attending a local college in each community where the shows are taking place.

Luke has partnered with NRA Country for his Farm Tour. The organization will be on-site at each stop on the six-city trek, and will be offering VIP meet-and-greet charity packages for Luke’s CMT Tour.

Farm Tour tickets are available at www.lukebryan.com/farmtour and through the local areas retail outlets soon.

Luke is currently hitting the airwaves with his latest single, “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” from his new album, tailgates & tanlines.

• CMT ON TOUR: Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines, with special guests Lee Brice, Josh Thompson and Matt Mason, launches September 15th in Huntington, W.V. Luke will play 22 shows before wrapping November 19th in Monroe, La.

Farm Tour Dates:
9/29 — Clemson, SC, Clemson University
9/30 — Athens, GA, Tucker Plantation
10/1 — Macon, GA, Luther Williams Field
10/6 — Valdosta, GA, Coffee Weed Plantation
10/7 — Carrollton, GA, VFW Fairgrounds

AUDIO: Luke Bryan (farm tour) OC: …it rocking. :20

“We just want to have a little fun in the fall, and I think what’s cool about the farm tour is these events are a big event for these towns. I just love the fact that people can come out and have a big time, listen to some music, and it’s just a fun experience all the way around, and [I] want to continue to do what I can to keep it rocking.”

“I am so fired up about the nomination for CMA New Artist!,” said Bryan from his home in Nashville this morning. “These moments are life changing, and I am very thankful to have this opportunity to represent the future of our format along with the other four nominees who I not only consider my peers, but my friends as well.”

The 45th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 9th (8p-11p, ET) on ABC.

Keith Urban, who is up for a pair of CMA Awards including Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year, defines what he considers to be an Entertainer.

Keith Urban (Entertainer) OC: …that’s important. [laughs] :30

“Hopefully, it’s somebody that knows how to take you out of your world for a time — that’s my kind of show that I like to go and see, and the kind that when you look down at your watch and two hours have literally flown by and you feel a little bit different when you leave than when you came. I hope with our show that we can take you out of your life for a moment and put you back into it in a slightly different frame of mind, hopefully, with a little more gratitude for the things that are good in your life, no matter how small they may be. I’m hoping that we can have you feeling good about things by the time we leave, and that we played all the songs that you wanted to hear. That’s important. [laughs]”

AUDIO: Eric Church is enjoying one of the biggest years of his career with his recent No. 1 album, Chief, and he’s topping it off with his first CMA nomination for New Artist of the Year.

Eric Church (CMA-New Artist) OC: …you’re doing. :14

“Though my music has never been about winning awards, it’s always cool to be recognized, and especially in this case because the CMA is made up of my peers. And it’s always really cool when the other people that make music and other people do this for a living recognize and acknowledge what you’re doing.” 

AUDIO: Having come off a No. 1 album with Chief, Eric Church, who is nominated for a 2011 CMA New Artist of the Year award, talks about his transformation on stage.

Eric Church (performing live persona) OC: …for a while. :41

“Well, I think a lot of it is who I am on stage isn’t who I am the rest of the day.  And I think people that come to that show, they’re not that way all day either. When they come, they come to that show it’s our time to get away from what we normally do. When I put on the hat and sunglasses, it’s a different personality; it’s a different show. I’m like a spring that comes uncoiled and for 90 minutes, or however long it is. It’s a war out there. It’s a battle between the crowd and myself, and we’re gonna sweat and bleed and scream and everything else…and probably gonna be covered in beer when we leave. It’s that kind of show, and I think that’s why they [can] relate to us. I’m doing the same thing. I’m there for a release, and so are they. That energy exchange — it’s over the music, it’s over passion, but it’s also just getting away from our lives for a while.”

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood talks about being recognized at the CMA Awards.

Lady A (CMA nominations) OC: …see us. :34

DH: “For us, we are grateful to be recognized. These awards shows, to have the respect of the people you know and work with in this industry and Nashville and the country format, is huge. I mean, we write this music for the fans out there, but when somebody pats you on the back as well, is a huge honor. And being able to see everybody and have everybody together that night, the CMA Awards are so much fun and regardless of what happens, regardless of any award, we’re still going to obviously get our full happiness from playing these shows and touring and letting these fans come out and see us.”

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild says the group never takes any award nomination for granted.

Little Big Town (CMA nomination – Vocal Group) OC: …early days. :51

KF: “Well, that category…look at it from when we were nominated the first time to what it is now. There were some pretty big names left off that list this year.  Which was a shock to us, so we never take for granted because we weren’t sure we would be on there.  I think it’s great for the bands like us and like Rascal Flatts who have been around for a while now to know that we kind of led the way a bit on this big group push that’s happening now. The diversity in the format and I think it’s cool. I think it’s great that we’re seeing that. To me some of the best music in the format is in that category. You know, Zac, Lady A…I think it’s really exciting, and I feel good that maybe we were a piece of that puzzle in the early days.”

AUDIO: Luke Bryan, who recently scored a two-week No. 1 album with tailgates & tanlines, talks about his CMA New Artist nomination.

Luke Bryan (CMA New Artist) OC: …happy with that. :18

“When you look at all who’s nominated, it all, it always makes things exciting, because it’s a good time for the younger generation of country music to be, to be involved and to even be nominated. I’m just glad I’m being considered a new artist. As long as they’ll let me be a new artist, I’ll be happy with that.”

Darius Rucker, who is climbing the country charts with his latest hit “I’ve Got Nothin’,” is proud of his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, so much so that it’s the title of his latest album. What is it about the town that has him so enamored? “The weather’s amazing. We have some of the best beaches on the East coast, if not the country. We love our beaches,” says Darius. “The people are the nicest people in the country. I mean, there’s some magazine that does the nicest cities in the country and Charleston wins that a lot. That’s because we’re just nice people. I don’t know anybody that’s ever went to Charleston and did not want to go back.”

• Darius is set to launch his first headlining tour as a solo artist this fall. Rodney Atkins, Frankie Ballard, Thompson Square and Justin Moore will open on select dates. The tour opens October 6th in Glens Falls, New York.
• “I haven’t headlined a tour since Hootie, so to say I’m excited is an understatement,” says Rucker.  “It has been such an incredible experience to tour with Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts, and I’ve learned a lot being on the road with them. With this tour, I’m just excited to perform again for our fans, and I’m thrilled to have Rodney, Frankie, Justin, and Thompson Square joining us.”

AUDIO: Darius Rucker (Charleston) OC: …you do. [laughs] :38

“The weather’s amazing. We have some of the best beaches on the East coast, if not the country. We love our beaches. The people are the nicest people in the country. I mean, there’s some magazine that does the nicest cities in the country and Charleston wins that a lot. That’s because we’re just nice people. I don’t know anybody that’s ever went to Charleston and did not want to go back…I mean, guys come down to write with me and they always go, ‘Wow! I can’t believe I’ve never been here. I’ve got to come back. I’ve got to bring my wife.’ Guys say that all the time. And I go, ‘Yeah, you do.’ [laughs]”

On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever with the devastating attacks on both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” embodied the thoughts and feelings of millions in the wake of the events that took place 10 years ago.

The chorus and melody of “Where Were You…” came to Jackson in the middle of the night several weeks after the 9/11 tragedies. He awoke…sang the words into a recorder and wrote down key elements of the chorus…and completed the lyrics and verses later that same day. Initially reluctant to record the song, he was convinced by family and friends to share it with the world and debuted “Where Were You…” live on national television in early November at the 35^th annual CMA Awards.

“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” embodied the thoughts and feelings of millions in the wake of the 2001 events. Written by Jackson, the song was called “…one of the most touching, powerful songs to come after the tragedies” by USA Today and dubbed “a reflective hymn that Americans will be listening to well into the second half of this century” by Salon.com. The New York Times singled out “Where Were You…” as “one of his finest songs,” and Billboard noted “a multitude of songs have been written and recorded in the wake of September 11, but none captures the myriad emotions unleashed by the terrorist attacks on an unsuspecting nation more perfectly than Jackson’s eloquent ballad.” The song went on to be honored with a Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards.

This year, as part of the national observance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Jackson will perform “Where Were You…” at Washington National Cathedral on the evening of Sunday, September 11 as part of an event that will also include remarks by President Barack Obama.

AUDIO: Alan Jackson explains why he feels “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” still resonates with music fans in concert ten years after the events of September 11, 2001.

AJ (Where Were You) 1 OC: …big changes. :50

“At the time, it was very meaningful to people and I felt really good about contributing something. And then I thought it would just fade away and then we’d ease it out of the show, but now I see people out there that I feel like are waiting for that song, you know? I think it’s more than just the 9-11 connection. I mean, the real hook in it is quotes right out of the Bible anyway. And still, at night, it’s one of my biggest songs in the show. It’s hard to follow it, but I see so many that are holding up them lighters and are glad to hear it, and I think are moved by it and glad I did it. And I heard so many stories back during that time when it was happening. People said, ‘Oh, they quit their jobs, and they changed their lifestyles and started going to church and found somebody to marry!’ It was just like all these things that affected…those were big changes!”

AUDIO: Alan Jackson describes how the events of September 11, 2001 impacted him…and talks about writing “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” a few weeks later.

AJ (Where Were You) 2 OC: …same feelings. 1:33

“Well, I don’t know – I think I was probably like most people that were impacted with that day and the months that followed. You know, everybody was glued to the news and television and I think it really affected a lot of people – their perspective on their lives and their jobs and their families and where they were and what they were wanting to do and how they looked at things. And I guess…I mean, that’s what I was thinking, too. And I just pretty much visualized a lot of those scenes and stories I’d heard and seen on television or heard people talk about. The song came out of nowhere in the middle of the night – the chorus did. Just a gift. And I got up and scribbled it down and put the melody down so I wouldn’t forget it, and then the next day I started piecing all those verses together that were the thoughts I’d had or visuals I’d had, and…that was about it. I think it was just really…I had so many people tell me that there’s always a line or something in there that they did, whether it was go to church or pick up their Bible or go see their mother or watch a sunset – I mean, just a lot of things in there people told me that they had actually done those things, so…I guess I was like everybody else, just feeling those same feelings.”

AUDIO: Alan Jackson recalls sharing “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” with all of us for the first time live on national television during the 35^th Annual CMA Awards.

AJ (Where Were You) 3 OC: …meant something. :56)

“It was a tough performance for me. You know, just the whole idea of releasing that song was a little bit tough. I wasn’t sure I wanted to put that out, but everybody convinced me that it was the thing to do…and in retrospect, I agree with that. But, you know, I hadn’t really sung the song much, first of all. It was just in the studio, basically, and when I wrote it…so it’s hard to go out there and sing something new anyway, and just the topic made it nerve-wracking, too. You know, I didn’t think about what was going to happen or anything  –  we just sang it. And I just remember, other than being relieved that I got through it, I just felt very proud that it seemed to cause a reaction in people…and I was proud that I got to do it, and that it seemed like it meant something.