Thursday, May 10, 2007

New Book Names Top 100 Country Music Fan Clubs

Writer Amy Jordan, offers an inside look at America’s top country music artists and their fan clubs, including superstar entertainers like Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, George Strait and Rascal Flatts.

Each listing includes free stuff like music, download and photos that fans can get without joining a club.

The top 100 are named alphabetically from Trace Adkins to Trisha Yearwood. The book includes perennial favorites with informal clubs like Garth Brooks and Reba, along with newcomers like American Idol Carrie Underwood and The Wreckers.

Among the book’s more controversial picks is the Dixie Chicks, whose comments about President Bush and the war in Iraq have become a lightning rod for debate in the country music community.

“Country music stands for freedom. That the Dixie Chicks are free to write songs that speak from their hearts makes the music all the more special,” Jordan said. The Dixie Chicks do not have a formal fan club but you can sign up for free email news. Free is good. And country music fan clubs offer a plethora of freebies for their fans. “Country music fan clubs are just a wonderful, secret treasure-trove for fans,” Jordan said.

Want free music and free photographs? Visit a fan club website. Want to meet your favorite country music singer? Join the fan club and you may get a meet-and-greet pass for the next concert in your town.

Country music fans can get free screensavers, photographs, newsletters and even new music online. Most new bands have street teams that can be joined for free. Or pay to join the official fan club and receive extra benefits like the chance to meet your favorite singer or autographed merchandise.

The book includes a chapter with tips on how to join a fan club. Each fan club entry includes:

• How to join and the cost
• Contact information
• Who offers backstage passes, and how many
• How to get free music, photos and autographs

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