Road Trips and Guitar Picks Concert Series Kicks Off Spring 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- COUNTRY Financial is hitting the road with two of the biggest recording artists touring this year and offering a memorable experience for fans, regardless if they're able to go to a concert.  Road Trips and Guitar Picks, presented by COUNTRY Financial, will launch in March and offer enhanced live concert experiences, unique online offerings and huge prizes.

The Road Trips and Guitar Picks series will present 30 concerts by hot music stars Jason Aldean and Jewel.  Each artist will perform separate concerts, but the Road Trips and Guitar Picks website, www.tripsandpicks.com, will be a one-stop place for both, giving Aldean and Jewel fans access to features they can't get anywhere else:

• Chances to win one of several all-expense paid flyaways to see Jewel or Aldean
• MP3s
• Trivia quiz and games
• Fan discussion and interaction
• Roadie passes
• Photos and videos from the road
• Behind-the-scenes news
• Wallpaper and avatar downloads
• Road Trips and Guitar Picks newsletter

"We're thrilled to be partnering with these two amazing artists.  What's more, they're a great fit with our company," says Doyle Williams, chief marketing officer at COUNTRY.  "Jason and Jewel share our down-to-earth personality, and like COUNTRY, they're involved in their communities. Plus, given their life on the road, they understand the importance of a good map to get where they're going. COUNTRY works every day to help people plan a route to reach their financial destination."

Aldean's first COUNTRY Financial concert is March 10 in Ames, Iowa.  Jewel will kick off her performances in June.  As part of Road Trips and Guitar Picks, concert-goers become more than spectators.  They will be able to text for seat upgrades, enter sweepstakes and win VIP backstage opportunities.

"I'm stoked to partner with COUNTRY," says Aldean.  "Their customers and my fan base are very similar, so it's awesome that we can get together and offer all of these cool extras that my fans can't get anywhere else."

"COUNTRY Financial has found a creative way to enhance involvement for our fans, which is very exciting.  We can't wait to be part of the Road Trips and Guitar Picks concert series," says Jewel.  Aldean and Jewel fans can register now at http://www.tripsandpicks.com to be notified of the Road Trips and Guitar Picks website's launch in March.  Fans can also get a glimpse of the concert series when they become a fan on Facebook.  To find the Road Trips and Guitar Picks fan page, search for "Trips and Picks" on Facebook.  

About COUNTRY

COUNTRY Financial, founded in 1925, serves one million households and        businesses throughout the United States.  COUNTRY and its financial representatives help clients protect what they have, save for a comfortable future, and achieve financial security.  For more information go to www.countryfinancial.com

About Jason Aldean

With over 3 million albums sold, Jason Aldean has topped the charts with smash hits including "Hicktown," "Why" and "Johnny Cash."  His third studio album, Wide Open, was certified platinum only eight months after its release, making him the only solo country artist in 2009 to release an album and earn platinum status in the same calendar year.  Wide Open hit big out of the gate and dominated the number one spot on the country charts with "She's Country," "Big Green Tractor" and "The Truth." Aldean received his first American Music Award nomination in 2009 and recorded his first live DVD, Wide Open Live & More, which was certified gold.

About Jewel

Jewel is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, actress, poet, painter, philanthropist and daughter to an Alaskan cowboy singer-songwriter.  Growing up on a remote ranch in Alaska, Jewel endured poverty and teen homelessness on the road to the triumph of international stardom.  The three-time Grammy nominee has sold 27 million albums worldwide.  Last year, she released her first country record, Perfectly Clear, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.  She most recently released her first-ever independent album, Lullaby and is currently working on a country follow up to Perfectly Clear.  Her new single, Stay Here Forever, is part of the soundtrack for the Valentine's Day movie opening in February.      

SOURCE COUNTRY Financial