Here are a few more photos of Mountain Heart’s big day at the Martinsville Speedway this past Sunday. They had been invited to sing the National Anthem before the race, which was carried live on ABC television.

Their rendition featured Josh Shilling as the primary vocalist, with the rest of the members providing harmony on a powerful and inventive arrangement. Mountain Heart manager Brian Smith tells us that he has been responding to feedback since Sunday afternoon.

“It was a milestone event for them and we are getting interest in more gigs as a result.

Racing legend Richard Petty came over while there to congratulate the guys and said he loved it. Numerous other drivers and team members did so as well before they climbed into their cars for the race.”

Mountain Heart sent along a few photos of pre-race activities at Martinsville Speedway, where the guys will soon be singing the National Anthem before the start of today’s (10/25) NASCAR TUMS Fast Relief 500.

The race starts at 1:30 p.m. (EDT), and they are scheduled to sing at roughly 1:25. Coverage is on ABC television.

We’ll post any other photos as soon as we get them.

Mountain Heart has been selected to perform the National Anthem before the NASCAR TUMS Fast Relief 500 race at Martinsville Speedway on October 25. This is a major event is southwestern VA and throughout the racing world, which will be broadcast live on ABC Sports.

The race starts at 1:30 p.m. (EDT), with ABC coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Manager Brian Smith told us that this was an appearance that took a lot of work to secure, and the guys are very excited about the opportunity.

“We are still discussing the arrangement but everyone will appear even if they don’t all sing. It will be a big homecoming for Josh Shilling, who hails from nearby and cut his teeth in that music market.”

This will be a big day for bluegrass music and sports. October 25 will also find Rhonda Vincent singing the anthem before the NFL’s Chiefs-Chargers game in Kansas City.

Way to go Mountain Heart and Rhonda – more please!

Here’s the archive for our live blog from the Awards Show last night. We’ve reversed the order so you can start reading at the top and follow the show to the end.

• 7:27 PM: - Just a couple minutes till show time folks!
• 7:29 PM: - Lonesome River Band is on stage and ready to kick things off.
• 7:30 PM: - Here we go!
• 7:30 PM: - Sammy in a suit, the band is rocking with “Them Blues”
• 7:31 PM: - LRB is back!! The love some Sammy Shelor.
• 7:33 PM: - The set looks nice. We’ll have some photos in a few minutes.
• 7:34 PM: - Commercial break – Ned Luberecki sounds great filling in for Eddie Stubbs.
• 7:36 PM: - Hot Rize cutting up with Kathy Mattea – ha, ha
• 7:39 PM: - No need to refresh the page folks. The new notices will pop up automatically.
• 7:40 PM: - Tom T. and Dixie Hall presenting the award for Male Vocalist of the year…
• 7:42 PM: - And the winner is…Dan Tyminski!
• 7:42 PM: - In spite of having lost his voice, Dan is here to receive the award. Visit Dan here www.dantyminski.com
• 7:43 PM: - Dale Ann Bradley takes the stage.
• 7:44 PM: - She’s got Alan Bibey on mandolin, and Kim Fox singing harmony plus her road band.
• 7:44 PM: - Ron Shuffler on bass… new banjo player Mike Sumner.
• 7:44 PM: - Won’t Back Down
• 7:46 PM: - Tony Trischka and Steve Martin to present…
• 7:46 PM: - Steve told us earlier that his wife was addicted to The Bluegrass Blog.
• 7:46 PM: - You know, he’s a funny guy.
• 7:47 PM: - Steve: Tony, when do we get our checks. Tony: Welcome to bluegrass, Steve.
• 7:48 PM: - They are presenting the award for Vocal Group of the Year.
• 7:48 PM: - …and the award goes to…Dailey & Vincent
  daileyvincent.musiccitynetworks.com
• 7:48 PM: - Congrats guys!
• 7:49 PM: - Spiffy looking bunch in their Tuxedos…
• 7:49 PM: - Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper getting ready to play.
• 7:51 PM: - Tom Adams makes a good lead singer!
• 7:52 PM: - He was never that animated as a banjo player. =)
• 7:54 PM: - Commercial break while the stage crew works in the dark. How do they do that?
• 7:56 PM: - Here comes IIIrd Tyme Out…
• 7:57 PM: - Hard Rock Mountain Prison ‘Till I Die
• 7:59 PM: - Andy Hall, Tammy Rogers and Andy Leftwich to present..
• 8:00 PM: - Gospel Recorded Performance award coming up
• 8:00 PM: - listening to the nominees now…
• 8:01 PM: - And the award goes to…
• 8:01 PM: - On The Other Side – by Dailey & Vincent
• 8:02 PM: - I smell another sweep.
• 8:02 PM: - Statler Brothers taking the stage
• 8:03 PM: - Nice tribute
• 8:03 PM: - Fiddle player of the year coming up…
• 8:04 PM: - Fiddler player of the year for 2009 is…Michael Cleveland
  www.flamekeeperband.com
• 8:04 PM: - Escorted to the stage by Tom Adams
• 8:04 PM: - Standing ovation
• 8:06 PM: - Bryan Sutton and Pete Wernick ad libbing…
• 8:06 PM: - Banjo jokes – groan.
• 8:06 PM: - Red Knuckles interrupting…
• 8:08 PM: - Ken Irwin gives them the bum’s rush.
• 8:08 PM: - Here comes The Dan Tyminski Band
• 8:09 PM: - Adam Steffey rocks!
• 8:09 PM: - That’s Bluegrass!
• 8:09 PM: - Ron Stewart too. (more…)