Lonestar to perform at Ragnar Relay Tennessee to raise awareness on physical activity and exercise

Oct 14 2010

Ragnar Relay Series, the nation's top provider of overnight, running relay races, and Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY), a well-being improvement company, today announced country legend and Saguaro Road Records recording act Lonestar will be performing at the Ragnar Relay Tennessee Presented by Healthways post-race celebration.

“Their participation will add even more enthusiasm to an event that encourages physical activity through teamwork. We know that Lonestar will energize the relay participants while celebrating their great feat of completing the relay.”

The concert takes place at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville on November 6, 2010, at 7 p.m. CDT. The event is free and open to the public, and spectators are encouraged to come downtown to cheer on the runners while enjoying the concert.

To date, Lonestar has sold over 10 million albums, with ten number one country hits as well as 22 Top 10 songs on the country charts including: "I'm Already There," "What About Now" and their smash, "Amazed," which spent eight weeks at the number one spot on the country charts, as well as reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The dual win made them the first country act since Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton's "Islands In the Stream" in 1983 to accomplish this career milestone. They are anticipating the release of their 10th album Party Heard Around the World on Saguaro Road Records later this year.

"We have always been involved in different charities and public service announcements throughout our career. Ragnar Relay Tennessee is such a positive and unique event that will bring much needed awareness for the need of more physical activity and exercise by all adults and children in Tennessee. We (Lonestar) have been associated with a lot of firsts, and none more important than this great relay race that puts everyone's health at the top of the priority list," said Dean Sams, the founder of Lonestar. "Our concert at the finish line of the relay will be a celebration of those that pushed the limits in this race for better health and health awareness for all Tennesseans. We look forward to seeing a big crowd at Riverfront for our free concert to support this great movement and all the participants of the relay race."

The concert will be the grand finale for 2,000 runners that are expected to participate in Ragnar Relay Tennessee Presented by Healthways, spreading a message of health and well-being to communities on a route crossing the state. Each Ragnar Relay team consists of 12 runners covering the 195-mile course from Chattanooga to Nashville. Each leg of a Ragnar Race varies in difficulty so elite and novice runners can participate together in teams. Proceeds of Ragnar Relay Tennessee presented by Healthways will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

"We are excited to have Lonestar perform at the first ever overnight relay in the Southeast," said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., CEO of Healthways. "Their participation will add even more enthusiasm to an event that encourages physical activity through teamwork. We know that Lonestar will energize the relay participants while celebrating their great feat of completing the relay."

The popularity of overnight relay races has grown exponentially as endurance enthusiasts have embraced the exciting team concept non-existent in other running events. Healthways is partnering with Ragnar Relay Series to bring this exciting form of running to Tennessee in an effort to encourage community well-being in a state currently ranked 42^nd in overall well-being by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index™.