Steel Magnolia Look Forward to ACMs (and Back at Brad Pitt!)

Posted Mar 13th 2012 12:50PM by Stephen L. Betts
Comments

Jeff Kravitz, FilmMagic

Although rumors had been swirling that engaged duo Steel Magnolia, Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones, were breaking up, the ACM Vocal Duo of the Year nominees are confirmed to be participating in the ACM Experience, a free event for "country music lifestyle fans" slated for March 30 - April 1 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Also performing during the the three-day event will be 2010 ACM Top New Vocal Group Gloriana, Edens Edge, Ira Dean, LoCash Cowboys, Kip Moore, Levi Lowrey and more. Events taking place during the ACM Experience include the ACM BBQ Throwdown, ACM EXPO and Ram Ride and Drive.

Capping off the weekend will be the ACM Fan Jam, a ticketed event hosted by Zac Brown Band, on Sunday, April 1, and, of course, the 47th Annual ACM Awards to be broadcast live from Las Vegas beginning at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on CBS. For details about all of the events surrounding "the Week Vegas Goes Country," visit the official ACM website.

Meghan is pictured with humanitarian/actor Brad Pitt and South Coast Solar's Virginia Crawford

Meghan Linsey, in the meantime, has had another iconic American city on her mind, her hometown of New Orleans. The singer was recently asked to participate in 'A Night to Make It Right' for Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation. Hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, the event, which was organized to help rebuild the devastated Ninth Ward section of the city, also attracted co-hosts Drew Brees and Randy Jackson, Angelina Jolie, Sean Penn, Morgan Freeman, Blake Lively, Octavia Spencer, Robert DeNiro, Kevin Spacey and performances by Dr. John, Seal, Sheryl Crow, Kanye West, Rihanna and more.

"I don't get starstruck, but it was like a little mini-Oscars!" Meghan says of the experience. "Standing on the side of the stage watching Kanye doing his thing with Rihanna, I was standing next to Brad and Angelina and a couple of their children, you couldn't help but be a little [starstruck]. I love what they've used their fame to do, they've made such a difference. Brad came to New Orleans right after Hurricane Katrina -- and his foundation is helping rebuild the lower Ninth Ward, a region of the city that was completely devastated by the storm. They are making it as sustainable and environmentally sound, building 150 homes!"

After a meal created by celebrity chefs, led by John Besh and including Emeril Lagasse, to celebrate the culture of the city, a night of music and a special auction followed, during which Oscar winner Sean Penn pledged $150,000 to build a house in the district.

"When you see all the good that can come from being creative, the way you can make tangible differences as well as inspire people who're coming through things, that's a lot of what drove me to Nashville to chase my dream," Meghan notes of an event that she acknowledges has helped restore her faith in the many things music can do. "It's not so much about being famous as how you touch people's lives and the way you can give back. It's what Josh and I have always talked about ... and I'm glad to see what kind of good can come from following your dreams."

Having recently left their record label, Big Machine, Meghan and Josh are still playing shows as well as writing for their next project, while they continue to determine the course their career will next take.

"We came to sing, we came to play," says Meghan. "And like Brad Pitt and Ellen and everyone the other night, hopefully to be able to make a difference."

Keep up with Steel Magnolia at their official website.

Watch Our 'Day in the Life of Steel Magnolia' Video

Watch a Video Interview With Steel Magnolia

Follow @thebootdotcom on Twitter | Like The Boot on Facebook

Download Steel Magnolia Songs | Buy Steel Magnolia's Album