LEANN RIMES - COUNTRY STARS CALL FOR VINTAGE PERFORMANCE PRESERVATION

LEANN RIMES has joined a host of fellow country music stars to petition for better preservation of vintage country performances. The singer kicked off the The Soul of Country, this year's (07) Grammy Foundation Music Preservation Project, last night (08FEB07) with a cover of PATSY CLINE's CRAZY and used the occasion to highlight the plight of old audio and video performances. Speaking at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, Los Angeles, she said, "It's so important to preserve music history. I want my kids to know all these great artists of the past." Other stars supporting the campaign include MARTY STUART, CHARLEY PRIDE and PORTER WAGONER, best known for his duets with DOLLY PARTON. As well as live performances, the event featured footage from the archives of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, including RICHARD NIXON's 1974 piano-playing appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

09/02/2007 17:20