4-H Celebrates the 2008 Country Music Awards!

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, stands with her Elvis friends on the strip in Las Vegas as she prepares to provide coverage for the 2008 Country Music Awards.

4-H programs are indebted to the country music industry for creating a benefit 4-H CD titled, Clover Country.

Clover Country features Grammy-winning song writer, Hillary Lindsey's "The Clown," which Lindsey exclusively recorded for the album. The CD also includes hit songs from country music mega stars and 4-H alumni Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Luke Bryan and Alabama.

You can purchase the CD by going to the following website:

http://clovercountrycd.com/

What is Clover Country?

National 4-H Council has partnered with EMI Music to create "Clover Country: Songs from Famous 4-H Alumni"—the first-of-its-kind country music compilation CD featuring famous 4-H alumni. This extraordinary blend of country music showcases the benefits of 4-H through talented 4-H alumni. Proceeds from each CD sold supports 4-H programs and millions of youth across America.

Clover Country features Grammy-winning song writer, Hillary Lindsey's "The Clown," which Lindsey exclusively recorded for the album. The CD also includes hit songs from country music mega stars and 4-H alumni Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Luke Bryan and Alabama.

FULL STORY »

4-H honors Country Music Giant - Randy Owen at Academy of Country Music Awards

Randy Owen, country music giant and lead singer of the band, Alabama, spends a few minutes with Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, during activities surrounding the 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards held in 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the video interview below, Mr. Owen shares his background as a youth in 4-H and his strong commitment to community leadership and service. He even gives Claire a short 4-H lesson related to interviewing!

The video ends with a short musical segment from Randy Owen's new album,"One on One."

THANK YOU, Mr. Owen, for making time for 4-H in your very busy performing schedule!

Randy Owen serves as a positive role model for 4-H youth. We thank him and 10 other country music artists and 4-H alumni who created a benefit CD for 4-H titled, Clover Country!

You can purchase the CD by going to the following website:

http://clovercountrycd.com/

THANK YOU Mr. Owen for all your wonderful support!

Tribute to Reba McIntire

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, shows her enthusiasm for 4-H alumnus and hostess of the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards, Reba McIntire.

Claire covered the event from her hotel room in Las Vegas where she could respond to the music with full personal enthusiasm! She also wanted to give voice to the millions of TV viewers who watch the Academy of Country Music Awards at home.

Videos of Claire watching and dancing
to the show coming soon!

Claire and all 4-H'ers would like to express a great big THANK YOU to Ms. McIntire for her participation in the 4-H benefit CD, Clover County.

Clover Country features Grammy-winning song writer, Hillary Lindsey's "The Clown," which Lindsey exclusively recorded for the album. The CD also includes hit songs from country music mega stars and 4-H alumni Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Luke Bryan and Randy Owen (Alabama).

You can purchase the CD by going to the following website:

http://clovercountrycd.com/

4-H honors Keith Urban at Academy of Country Music Awards

Keith Urban and his wife, Nicole Kidman, stand at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, watched Keith and other country music artists from her Monte Carlo hotel room.

Like millions of TV viewers of the awards show across the U.S. that night, Claire enjoyed her own private party of sorts as she created interpretive dance segments during all the featured musical performances.

Claire was fortunate to have interviewed Keith Urban the day before the show, during which she asked him a simple question:

"Why is music important to the lives of children?"

The video ends with Claire watching (and dancing) to Keith Urban's music on TV, during the 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards.

Thanks, Keith, for making time for 4-H youth in your busy day!

4-H honors Jack Ingram at Academy of Country Music Awards

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, recognizes Jack Ingram, country music artist and winner of the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards "Top new male vocalist."

Before the show during a brief interview, Jack Ingram shared with Claire the importance of music in the lives of children.

Claire enjoyed the awards show from the comfort of her hotel room in Las Vegas, where she was inspired to improvise dance segments during the featured performances.

4-H honors Taylor Swift at Academy of Country Music Awards

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, sees a familiar face as Taylor Swift, country music artist, accepts her award for "Top new female vocalist" at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Claire met Taylor the day before the awards event and had the good fortune to be able to ask her an important question, "Why is music important to the lives of children?"

Randy Owen: Interview with Claire Turner

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, talks with one of country music's creative giants, Randy Owen, formerly lead singer with the band, Alabama. Randy gave Claire an extensive interview (coming soon!) and shared with her his passion for music, learning, and hard work.

Randy Owen serves as a positive role model for 4-H youth and belonged to 4-H when he was young. We thank him and 10 other country music artists who created a benefit CD for 4-H titled, Clover Country! You can purchase the CD by going to the following website:

http://clovercountrycd.com/

Randy Owen: Musical Artist and 4-H Role Model

Randy Owen, solo music artist and the former lead singer of the country rock band, Alabama, will have a photo op and interview with 4-H Network News reporter, Claire Turner, before the 2008 Country Music Awards!

Randy Owen has distinguished himself not only as an exemplary country music artist, but even more importantly as a generous philanthropist. His contributions to education, youth programs, and medical research to combat children's diseases has placed him on the forefront of giving in the United States. He has leveraged his fame for good in the world and serves as a wonderful role model for 4-H youth who also devote themselves to learning and community service.

Randy Owen talks with 4-H Network News

Pamela Roberts, Jefferson County 4-H coordinator and 4-H Network News leader, Randy Owen, famed country music performer, and Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter are pictured directly after Claire's interview with Mr. Owen.

Claire flew to Las Vegas from Port Townsend, WA to cover the 2008 Country Music Awards for 4-H. It was a great honor for her to interview Mr. Owen, especially because he has distinguished himself as a generous philanthropist for children. Mr. Owen emphasized in his comments the importance of hard work, education, and giving back to your community - all important aspects of 4-H programs.

He and 10 other country music artists are featured on a special benefit CD for 4-H titled, Clover Country.

Thank you, Mr. Owen, along with 4-H alumni Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, and Luke Bryan!

We think you are terrific!

Claire Turner at the MGM Grand Hotel!

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, stands in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada next to the 2008 Country Music Awards poster, featuring Reba McIntire .

Claire's thoughts about the hotel: "I liked the lions. There is a tunnel of glass and the lions were laying on top of the glass tunnel. When you were looking underneath them it looked like they were flat. They were big, cute, and very still. I thought they were fake when I first saw them because they didn't move."

Claire is covering the 2008 Country Music Awards with a special emphasis on the Clover Country CD compilation, featuring 4-H alumni Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Luke Bryan and Randy Owen (Alabama).

At right she stands in front of the Rainforest restaurant, also located in the MGM Grand Hotel. Fun places for kids!

Claire Turner gets a feel for the fans!

Claire Turner stands in front of a group of fans, waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite country music stars at the 2008 Country Music Awards. Claire covered the event as a representative of 4-H Network News. She was there to personally thank some of the country music artists who helped create a benefit CD for 4-H programs titled, Clover Country.

The CD includes hit songs from country music mega stars and 4-H alumni Sugarland, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Luke Bryan and Ryan Owen.

You can purchase the CD by going to the following website:

http://clovercountrycd.com/

Claire Turner interviews country music star, Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is a new and upcoming star in the country music field. She is a lovely, warm person, which Claire Turner of 4-H Network News recently confirmed. Taylor was in Las Vegas for the 2008 Country Music Awards and agreed to an interview with 4-H Network News.

Claire ask Taylor an important question, "Why is music important in the lives of children.?" Taylor's answer will be here soon in the form of a video-taped interview with Claire!

At left you see Claire holding a copy of Seventeen magazine with Taylor Swift on the cover. The article gives a clear picture of Taylor's personality as a straight forward, confident young women.

We wish you all the best, Taylor, and thanks for including 4-H in your very busy day!

4-H Network News crew covers the 2008 Country Music Awards!

Pamela Roberts, 4-H coordinator, and Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter take a moment together before Claire begins her interviews, covering the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Claire is a member of the 4-H Network News club in Jefferson County, Washington. She has been an active reporter for this youth-run news service for over 2 years.

Claire worked for a full week preparing to cover the Academy of Country Music Awards - she listened to many country music songs and performers, read biographies of featured artists, and generated questions to ask each of them if given the opportunity.

4-H Network News would like to especially thank Mary Turner, Claire's mother, for all the support and vision she brings to our reports. We think you are wonderful, Mary!

Claire Turner Culinary Report: Monte Carlo Cafe

Claire Turner sampled the 7-layer chocolate cake at the Monte Carlo Cafe during her trip to Las Vegas to cover the 2008 Country Music Awards.
It came with three forks (for friends to share), three dolaps of chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

Claire's video report is coming soon!

Claire Turner: Learning about the Country Music Awards

Claire Turner checks out information on the Internet to prepare herself to interview Randy Owen before the 2008 Country Music Awards. Claire landed in Las Vegas on Thursday night, May 15 and is exploring various stories in Las Vegas, including youth, Country Music Awards, and 4-H! "They seem nice," Claire said about all the people she has met in Las Vegas.

Claire Turner interviews a Vegas show girl!

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, is shown here with a Las Vegas show girl on the main street in Las Vegas. Her video interview will be published soon. They talked about career preparation for dancers and more. This interview was another example of the warm reception Claire received in Las Vegas as she covered the 2008 Country Music Awards!

Claire Turner checks out the Tournament of Kings!

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, took some time out to take in the Tournament of Kings dinner theater at the Excaliber Hotel in Las Vegas. The young horseman below played the good King of France in the production and was a definite favorite of the crowd. He fought hard against the evil Kings and won!

Claire's favorite parts of the show were the great French fries and the outlandish jester! She also liked the audience involvement in cheering and jeering the characters in the show. The horsemanship and sheer athleticism of this show was outstandingly impressive. The show was nonstop entertainment, full of dancing, singing, audience participation, horses racing up and down the arena, jousting, sword fights and more! Great fun for kids!

Claire Turner Culinary Report: Haagen Dazs at the MGM

Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter, tries the broad range of ice cream choices at Haagen Dasz in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Claire was there covering the 2008 Country Music Awards where she had the opportunity to interview musical giant Randy Owen, as well as Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Jack Ingrahm, Eddy Money, and more!

Her ice cream culinary report is coming soon!

Claire Turner Culinary Report: SeaTac

Claire Turner, intrepid 4-H Network News reporter, gives her commentary on various cuisines during her journey from Seattle to Las Vegas for the 2008 Country Music Awards. Here Claire is shown at the SeaTac Airport tasting Japanese "Bourbon Chicken" with a chaser of Rootbeer!