MEDIA
FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE
MUSIC CITY BOWL
December 30, 2011 | 5:40 pm CST
Game Notes and Quotes
The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
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Follow the link above to visit their site.
2011 Bowl Public Events Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 29
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Franklin American Mortgage Coaches Luncheon presented by WKRN News 2*
Wildhorse Saloon – 120 Second Avenue North
The official chalk talk is an event for the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans in town for BOWL Week. Fans have a chance to interact with Mississippi State and Wake Forest players and coaches, including a Q & A session with both head coaches from the participating schools. The Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and is held at the Wildhorse Saloon on historic Second Avenue in the heart of THE DISTRICT in downtown Nashville. Patch holders receive $5 off of admission. Franklin American Mortgage Company serves as the title sponsor, and WKRN News 2 serves as presenting sponsor. The Franklin American Mortgage Tradition of Service Award will be presented to a deserving high school football student-athlete from the area. Tickets for this event are now SOLD OUT! Open to media.
5 – 7 p.m. – MusicFest & Battle of the Bands*
Downtown Nashville, First Avenue & Broadway
Nashville’s calling card is music. From rock to bluegrass, jazz to country, Music City is home to some of the best musicians and entertainment in the world. MusicFest is the ultimate party atmosphere downtown the night before the game. Thousands of fans will converge on world-famous Second Avenue (corner of Second and Broadway) for the outdoor party featuring Mississippi State and Wake Forest bands and cheerleaders. A FREE concert will take place prior to the Battle of the Bands beginning at 5 p.m. featuring RCA Nashville recording artist Love and Theft. Multiple venues will open their doors to Bowl fans for a memorable downtown event where various genres of live music will play. Show your Bowl Patch (Patches available at MusicCityBowl.com) and receive special Fan discounts at participating Patch Partner locations. Admission is FREE. The event is from 5 – 7 p.m. Open to the general public. The Jack Daniel’s Experience will be available for fans from 4 – 8 p.m. There is a private MusicFest & Battle of the Bands VIP Party for Bowl sponsors and Premium Ticket Package purchasers located rooftop at MJM Architects and includes food and beverages. The VIP Party is from 4:30 – 7 p.m. and invitations are required. Also, Grammy Award-Winning Zac Brown Band will play at Bridgestone Arena. For tickets to the Zac Brown Band concert, contact Ticketmaster.com. Music Fest & Battle of the Bands is open to media.
MusicFest & Battle of the Bands PARKING NOTE: The following roads will be closed on Dec. 29: Second Ave. from Commerce St. to Demonbreun St.; First Ave. from Church St. to Demonbreun St. and Broadway from First to Third Avenues. Satellite truck parking is recommended on Firstt Avenue, south of Broadway. For media parking information, contact Molly Williamson at (740) 244-6052 (mobile) or Courtney Eller at (615) 714-1795 (mobile).
Friday, Dec. 30
2:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Gameday Activities*
SEC and ACC fans will have an opportunity to experience fan activities prior to kickoff. Downtown on Lower Broadway at the Court of Flags (First Avenue and Broadway), the participating Mississippi State Pep Rally will begin at 1:45 p.m. followed by the Wake Forest Pep Rally at 2:30 p.m. A free, pre-game concert featuring Small Time Rock will begin at 3 p.m. Downtown Nashville is a great built-in tailgate atmosphere and block party with restaurants and entertainment venues within walking distance. The Jack Daniel’s Experience will be available for fans from noon – 5 p.m. Open to media.
2:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Fan Zone Area at LP Field*
Open to the general public, fans from the SEC and ACC will have an opportunity to play within steps from LP Field in the South End Zone Area Lot R (admission is Free). Interactive games will be provided for the entire family. It’s a great start for gameday and a great way to be a part of all of the pageantry of the Bowl. Festivities begin at 2:30 p.m. Open to the general public.
5:40 p.m. – Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl*
LP Field
One of the hottest post-season Bowl games in America as the SEC and the ACC conferences square off in Music City at LP Field on Friday, December 30 at 5:40 p.m CST. Football Takes Center Stage. Broadcast live on ESPN and through the Nevada Sports Radio national network, the Bowl is Nashville’s Holiday Tradition. The SEC and ACC feature some of the largest, most loyal and rabid college football fans in the country. Open to credentialed media.
Get the Patch (visit MusicCityBowl.com) – the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl’s official backstage pass for Fans to receive unique discounts and opportunities at participating Patch Partner locations.
Saturday, Dec. 31
9 a.m. – Nashville Resolution Run*
Tie your laces tight and kick-off the New Year with the I Run for the Party Nashville Resolution Run. The certified 5K course runs down Music Row and Country Music’s Hall of Fame Park with cheering crowds, live music and great energy. Make sure to stay for the after party. 5K and 1-mile run start at 9 a.m. Visit NasvhilleSports.com to register.
7:30 p.m. – Midnight – Music City’s Bash on Broadway*
Open to the general public, ring in the New Year and rock out the old with thousands of your closest friends at Nashville’s New Year’s Eve party on downtown’s lower Broad. Bring your party hats. Make some noise and count down to the fireworks at midnight. The Jack Daniel’s Experience will be available for fans beginning at 4 p.m. Live music from various bands, including headliner Lynyrd Skynyrd begins at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. Fireworks and “Drop” take place at the stroke of Midnight. Open to media.
(*Events are open to the general public)
All Times Listed Central; Events and Times Subject to Change; Please call 740-244-6052 or 615-714-1795 with questions. Schedule changes (if any) will be sent out via email.
Seating Priority
Final press box seating priority for each school's media contingent will be coordinated through each school's Sports Information Department. The Bowl's Media Operations staff will establish the seating priority for local and regional media not specifically assigned to either school.
Credentials
Credentials are issued based on the applicant's primary reporting function. Please send all primary credential requests by December 15.
Photographers and camera persons will be issued a Field Level credential. This credential will also allow access to the interview rooms following the game's conclusion. Full hospitality, game stats and updates will be provided for all Field Level credential holders at the Hospitality Area located at field level on the northeast side. Field Level holders needing press box access will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Newspaper, radio and television reporters and internet reporters will be issued a Press Box credential. This credential allows individual access to the Press Box and Field Level (after the 5 minute mark of the 4th Quarter) and the post-game news conference. Hospitality for Press Box credential holders will be in the Press Box only.
No credentials will be mailed. We will require an official photo ID (driver's license, media ID, etc.) before any credentials will be issued. Also, the same photo ID will be required, along with the appropriate credential, in order to gain access into LP Field before or during game day. Remember that all carry-in bags will be subject to search at the Field.
All credentials and parking passes must be picked up at the Media Hotel before December 30 at 1 pm CST. Without parking passes, you will not be allowed to enter LP Field grounds to get your credentials at Media Will Call. The Media Credentials check-in room will be closed after 1 pm on gameday (kickoff is at 5:40 pm CST), but you will be able to pick up a parking pass at the Renaissance Hotel front desk (available until 6 pm CST and only for those that were pre-approved). Your credential will be at Media Will Call on gameday. Media Will Call opens at 4:00 pm CST.
Hotel
Official media headquarters is the Renaissance Nashville Hotel
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
611 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
To reserve your room at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel at the group rate, please follow this link. The group code will already be entered in the appropriate field by following the link.
Media Credential Check-In Room:
Ryman Room (Level Three)
611 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
Media Credential Check-In Hours:
December 28 - 29 from 9 am - 9 pm CST
December 30 from 8 am - 1 pm CST
There is covered parking (valet and self-park) for automobiles immediately across the street from the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
Satellite Truck or equipment van parking will be available in Lot M at LP Field. This will be a secured lot.
The Renaissance will confirm all media reservations against credential requests made to the Bowl.
If you need a hotel room for the Bowl, please refer to your approval email you received for reservation information for the Renaissance.
If you desire other hotel accommodations, please check out our Preferred Hotel parnter list on the Bowl's website under the Fan Guide section.
Or, call 800.657.6910 and go to visitmusiccity.com to be assisted by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Additional Information
If you are interested in attending any additional official functions such as the MusicFest & Battle of the Bands, please visit the Events Schedule page. All pricing and ordering information can be found there.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets for the game, go to TicketsNow.com/music-city-bowl-tickets.
We are looking forward to hosting you in Music City! If we can be of any assistance to you in the meantime, please contact our media relations team at DVL Public Relations & Advertising.
DVL Public Relations & Advertising Staff:
Molly Williamson: 615.780.3367 / 740.244.6052 cell / molly.williamson@dvl.com
Courtney Eller: 615.780.3336 / 615.714.1795 cell / courtney.eller@dvl.com
To schedule media interviews, please contact Molly Williamson or Courtney Eller.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl Staff:
Dave Herrell: 615.743.3124 / 615.642.7121 cell / DHerrell@NashvilleSports.com