CMT News

Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee will be presented the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rockabilly Music Foundation, a Nashville-based organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the early rock 'n' roll style. Lee will accept the award April 5 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium during a benefit concert for the new foundation. Hosted by Wink Martindale, "Rockin' at the Ryman" also will feature Eric Heatherly, Rosie Flores, Ronnie Dawson, Sleepy LaBeef, Janis Martin, Jack Scott, D.J. Fontana, The Jordanaires, Boots Randolph, Bob Moore, Billy Burnett and members of the late Gene Vincent's original band, The Blue Caps. Concert proceeds will go to establish a rockabilly museum and to benefit a relief fund for rockabilly musicians. Country.com previously reported that another organization is raising funds to build the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson, Tenn., the hometown of late rockabilly legend Carl Perkins. Rockabilly Fest 2001, a benefit concert for that effort, is slated for June 29-July 1 at the Jackson Fairgrounds, featuring Wanda Jackson, Narvel Felts, Paul Burlison, Bill Haley's Original Comets and others.