July 4, 2010
Patriotic festival in Downtown Franklin with arts, crafts, food, and entertainment.

Visit http://www.franklinonthefourth.com/index.html

Lorrie Morgan commits to be headline entertainment for 14th Annual Franklin On The Fourth Festival

Lorrie was just 13 when she made her Grand Ole Opry debut with her famous father. After he died at age 51 in 1975, she took over his band and hit the road. She performed at Opryland U.S.A. and at a number of Nashville nightspots before becoming the opening act on the road with George Jones.

As a songwriter, she was trained at the legendary Acuff-Rose publishing company. She began placing singles on the country popularity charts in the early 1980s. In 1984, she was inducted into the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.

She had her first top-10 hits in 1989, “Dear Me” and “Out of Your Shoes.” But it was in the 1990s that she achieved true stardom with “Five Minutes,” “A Picture of Me (Without You),” “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” and other smashes. By 2003, Lorrie Morgan had earned more than 20 major radio hits, a CMA Award, seven Gold Records and four Platinum Records. In 1999, her Greatest Hits album was certified for sales of more than two million copies. She published a top-selling autobiography in 1997.

In recent years, she has blossomed as a songwriter. In addition to A Moment in Time, Lorrie has recorded an autobiographical CD of her own songs called I Walk Alone.

“It is the soundtrack of my life,” she says. “It’s a beautiful album, very raw, very down to earth and very honest.”

Next year, she will star on Broadway in Pure Country. The musical is based on the hit 1992 George Strait movie of the same name. Hot country hit maker Joe Nichols will portray “Rusty,” the Strait character. Lorrie will have the role of the devious manager “Lula,” who was played by Lesley Ann Warren in the film.

“I can’t wait for that evil side of me to come out,” Lorrie comments with a chuckle. “As soon as I read the script, I ‘got’ Lula right then and there.

“The stage is the place in my life where I am most comfortable. It’s my space, my happy place. Once I am on that stage, everything is fine. That is where I am truly at home.

“I’m finally ready to really spread my wings,” says Lorrie Morgan. “I am so happy to be where I am today. How did I get so lucky to have a second chance at my career, at my life, at love, at everything? I couldn’t be in a better place.”

The "Franklin on the Fourth" patriotic celebration has been a Franklin Summertime Tradition for the last 14 years.

This family friendly event offers plenty of excitement in historic Downtown Franklin by presenting a full day of activities which includes favorites, such as: free live entertainment, roaming street entertainers, 3 musical stages, antique car displays, community bands, military vehicle displays, a patriotic program recognizing veterans and civilian heroes, expanded children’s entertainment area, patriotic costume parade, concessionaires, craft vendors, and commercial booths.

Then, just when you think you have had enough, nationally known country legend Lorrie Morgan takes the stage and is followed up for an entertainment encore with a Fireworks show finale to end the night with a bang!

Hosted by the Franklin Lions Club and the City of Franklin, the eventoffers activities for all ages. The event hours are 12 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.