Free Concert Set For CMT

update:The 90-minute CMT Presents Jimmy Buffett & Friends: Live From The Gulf Coast, originally scheduled for Thursday, July 1^st has now been rescheduled to air live and commercial-free on Sunday, July 11^th at 7PM Eastern time on CMT. Special guests are yet to be determined.  Performances will be simulcast live on Radio Margaritaville, available on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, all CMT Radio Network affiliates, and streamed live on www.CMT.com.

Jimmy Buffett has been seen on the news lately reacting to the Gulf Oil Spill. Now he’s responding with music and his pals Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney are playing along with a free concert on the Alabama coast to show support for the Gulf region.

The Alabama tourism department says the show will be July 1 on the beach at Gulf Shores.

Buffett’s website says the concert is meant to demonstrate support for the people, businesses and culture of the Gulf Coast. It will be broadcast live on CMT.

Buffett (who has a and his Coral Reefer Band will be joined in Gulf Shores by Sonny Landreth, Kenny Chesney,Zac Brown (who crossed roads with Jimmy recently)  Band, Jesse Winchester and Allen Toussaint.

In a new benefit twist a special Tshirt will be designed for the concert. It will be available online and at the show.

Zac Brown has had an explosive debut with “The Foundattion” and that’s an interesting fact because he’s about to pair up with a musical legend that hasn’t really had the same radio success.

Jimmy Buffett and the Zac Brown Band are the next pairing on CMT Crossroads. The special will tape before an invitation-only audience next month in Nashville, to premiere in March 2010.

Zac Brown

Brown has been compared to a mash-up of Buffett and James Taylor… so this could shape up to be the most compelling (thanks Zac) and most mass appeal (Buffett) crossroads yet. Way to go CMT.

Past Crossroads specials included Taylor Swift with Def Leppard and John Mellencamp and Kenny Chesney.

Zac Brown

Atlantic Record’s Zac Brown Band and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store have partnered to release an exclusive version of their album The Foundation, a cookbook of Brown’s recipes, and a cleverly titled  ”Southern Ground Grub” rub Southern Gound is the name of his music group)  and sauce. 

  We’ve heard Zac is quite the cook (owning his own “Zac’s Place” restaurant in the past) Out Monday at all locations, the CD will feature three unreleased tracks including live versions of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “Martin” and “I Shall Be Released.” The cookbook, rub and sauce will be available this fall.