Vince Gill Partners With Frontier Communications To Invest In Small Town America
Vince Gill has announced plans to partner with Frontier Communications, DISH Network, and CoBank in an effort to revitalize small-town America. The official announcement will take place n January 15 at Nashville, Tennessee’s, Country Music Hall of Fame.
During the announcement, Gill will join Frontier Communications CEO and Chairman Maggie Wilderotter, DISH CEO and President Joe Clayton, and CoBank CEO Bob Engle to discuss the America’s Best Communities contest.
Finalists in the $10 million contest will be awarded a cash prize up to $3 million, which is meant “to help spur economic growth and community revitalization.” The sponsors are currently seeking “individuals and organizations that are working together to make their hometowns better for everyone.”
As defined by America’s Best Communities, a small town has between 9,500 and 80,000 residents. Additionally, the community must be located within the Frontier Communications Service Area. Applications for the America’s Best Communities prize will be accepted through March 25.
Vince Gill and his partners will begin choosing quarter-finalists on April 29. The three grand prize winners will be announced on April 26, 2017. The first place winner will receive $3 million, second place will receive $2 million, and third place will receive $1 million.
As reported by Yahoo News, Vince Gill “has been a longtime advocate for hardworking families in our nation’s small towns.” His involvement in the America’s Best Communities contest underlines his commitment to facilitate economic growth throughout small-town America.
A native of Norman, Oklahoma, Vince Gill is a diverse and talented musician. Although he later became a country legend, Gill got his start with bluegrass music.
Following his high school graduation, he moved to Kentucky to join the Bluegrass Alliance Band. Nearly a Decade later, he and his first wife moved to Nashville.
In 1984, the country superstar released his first album, Turn Me Loose. That same year, he won his first award from the Academy of Country Music.
Over the next three decades, Vince Gill was honored with 20 Grammy Awards, 18 Country Music Awards, the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence, and the BMI Icon Award. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country music Hall of Fame.
On Thursday, Vince Gill joined numerous other country stars to honor the late Jimmy Dickens. Last week, Dickens passed away after suffering cardiac arrest. The Opry legend performed his last show on December 20, during his 94th birthday party.
The celebration of Dickens life was held at the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to Vince Gill, tributes were performed by Carrie Underwoood, Bobby Tomberlin, Steve Wariner, and Connie Smith.
[Image via Country Music Rocks]
