NEW YORK, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Republican National Committee Chairman
Ed Gillespie and Bill Harris, CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention,
today announced the initial group of entertainers who will perform in New York
City during the 2004 Republican National Convention. The six musical acts to
take the stage at Madison Square Garden include artists whose styles range
from country to classical and from blues to punk. In addition, a Tony Award-
winning actor and a young television personality join the lineup.
"Republicans are looking forward to showcasing the strength and diversity
of our nation at our party's first-ever convention in New York City," said
Chairman Gillespie. "These eight artists reflect the broad appeal of President
George W. Bush."
"It is an honor to announce the first group of performers to join the 2004
Republican National Convention program," said Mr. Harris. "Delegates on the
Garden floor and Americans watching across the nation will agree that this
year's convention is the most entertaining in GOP history."
In addition to the names released today, other entertainers will be
performing at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City and
will be announced prior to the four-day event.
Entertainers scheduled to perform at the 2004 Republican National
Convention include:
Michael W. Smith: In 1983, Michael made his first record called the
Michael W. Smith Project. He wrote all the music while his wife, Debbie, wrote
the lyrics. His now famous song "Friends" debuted on this album. Since then,
he has created 16 albums which have received Dove and Grammy awards, as well
as written 10 books. One of his current projects is a club for teens in
Nashville, T.N. called Rocketown, which serves as safe place for young people
to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. In 1996, Michael founded
Rocketown Records and launched the label's first artist. He is the proud
father of five children.
Daniel Rodriquez: A former New York City police officer, Daniel Rodriguez
is nicknamed "America's Tenor." Born in Brooklyn, Rodriguez has been singing
since the age of 10 and made his debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall
at 17. When he graduated from the NYPD Academy in 1996, he was asked to sing
the national anthem in front of two thousand policemen in Madison Square
Garden. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, Rodriguez became the
unofficial singer of New York City's police department and he touched the
nation with his stirring a cappella renditions of "God Bless America" and the
national anthem. Rodriguez has since been signed by Manhattan Records and has
released three albums. He will return to Madison Square Garden to perform at
the 2004 Republican National Convention.
Daize Shayne: At the age of 2, Daize Shayne moved to Hawaii with her
family. It was not until she was 16, however, that she began to teach herself
how to surf, play the guitar and write songs. With just 6 years of surfing
experience under her belt, Daize entered the women's World Longboard
Championships on a whim. When she won, it was a dream come true to be crowned
the world champion at age 22. Her contribution to the sport of surfing has
opened the door to women in a male-dominated competition. Now 27, Daize has a
debut album, The Way I Do, which introduces her as a passionate singer,
writer, and performer. In her free time, she also models and works as an on-
mike personality for ESPN, Fox Sports and others.
Ron Silver: Tony Award-winning actor Ron Silver is known for his work on
Broadway, in feature films and on television. On screen, he has given
acclaimed performances in Enemies: A Love Story and the Oscar winning Reversal
of Fortune. On stage, Silver won Broadway's Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award
for his performance in Speed the Plow. Silver's television appearances have
been too numerous to mention, but include continuing roles on Chicago Hope and
The West Wing. A native New Yorker and long an outspoken liberal, Silver has
recently voiced his strong support for President Bush and the War on Terror.
The Gatlin Brothers: Over 40 years ago, Larry, Steve, and Rudy Gatlin
started singing in their hometown of Abilene, TX., and from there went on to
make music history. Over the course of a four-decade career that has taken
the Gatlin brothers from dusty Texas stages to the top of the country charts,
there has been one unifying element, music. Adopting the close harmony vocal
techniques of the highly polished country-pop era, the Gatlin Brothers scored
a number of hits during the '70s and '80s. The group's Grammy came with
"Broken Lady," followed by hits like "All the Gold in California," "Statues
Without Hearts," "Love is just a Game," "Houston," and "Somebody's Baby." The
Gatlin Brothers ended their nationwide touring in 1992 with The Adios Tour
along with an accompanying album release of the same name.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck: Hasselbeck, formerly Elisabeth Filarski, is best
known to audiences as a participant on the popular second edition of the
Survivor game show, Survivor: The Australian Outback, and for her current role
as a co-host of ABC's daytime talk show The View. A 1999 graduate of Boston
College, Elisabeth is married to NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck. While at
Boston College, she captained her championship D-1 softball team, as her
studies centered on her studio art major. Hasselbeck has recently been
putting her flair for fashion to good use as a host of the Style Network's The
Look for Less, which helps viewers find designer looks at bargain prices. She
has also hosted programs on MTV. Hasselbeck has a passion for working with
Breast Cancer Prevention, Research and Support.
Sara Evans: Raised on a farm in Missouri, Sara Evans was singing every
weekend in her family's band at age 5. She was already a recording veteran at
age 11. Signed to RCA Records, Evans released her debut album Three Chords
and the Truth in 1997, and surfaced on many critics' "Best of" lists for the
year. In 1998 the singer/songwriter achieved her first #1 single and gold-
selling album with the self-penned hit "No Place That Far." Her follow up
album and single, Born to Fly shot to the #1 spot on the country charts. This
album spawned two additional Top Five songs including "I Could Not Ask For
More" and "I Keep Looking." Evans was the most nominated artist at the 2001
Country Music Association Awards, and took home her first trophy when "Born to
Fly" won Video of the Year. Considered "country's next female superstar"
according to Billboard Magazine, Evans is on a roll with over three million
albums sold. Evans current album Restless (featuring the Top 5 hit "Perfect"
also co-written by Evans) was recently certified Gold by the RIAA. Her
current single "Suds In The Bucket" is racing up the country charts.
Dana Glover: A native of Rocky Mount, N.C., Dana Glover worked as a model
in New York City prior to launching her musical career in Los Angeles. Glover
had very little formal training as a musician, taking piano lessons on and off
but mostly playing by ear. She was raised on gospel and soul music on the
radio and these early influences are felt on her debut album, Testimony. As
her debut disc was coming together, Glover lent her voice to films, including
"The Wedding Planner." Then DreamWorks gave her the rare chance to deliver a
love song for an ogre: Glover sang and wrote the lyrics and part of the music
for "It Is You I Have Loved All Along," from the "Shrek" soundtrack, which has
since been certified platinum.
Today's additions join previously announced featured speakers for the 2004
Republican National Convention, including New York City Mayor Michael
Bloomberg, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senator John McCain (R-
AZ), First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, Senator Zell Miller (D-
GA), Governor George Pataki (R-NY) and President George W. Bush, who will
accept the party's re-nomination to lead our country for another four years.
To learn about additional program speakers, please visit our Web site at
http://www.gopconvention.com/content/newsroom.
The 2004 Republican National Convention will be held for the first time
ever in New York City at Madison Square Garden from August 30 - September 2,
2004. For more information about the 2004 Republican National Convention,
please visit our Web site at http://www.gopconvention.com.
Paid for by the Committee on Arrangements for the
2004 Republican National Convention
2 Penn Plaza - New York, NY 10121 - (212) 356-2004
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee
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