05/22 Jeff Foxworthy HOST, Gavin DeGraw, Nicky Morse, Aric Almirola

JEFF FOXWORTHY -  THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION

Jeff Foxworthy is one of this country’s most successful comedians. A multiple Grammy Award nominee who is the largest-selling comedy recording artist in history, Foxworthy is also a best-selling author of more than 26 humorous books that range from children’s works to how-to guides. Foxworthy is an accomplished host/actor/producer whose unique comedic talents have graced a diverse array of TV projects, including “Foxworthy’s Big Night Out,” “Blue Collar TV,” and “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.” Currently, Foxworthy hosts “The American Bible Challenge” and has the upcoming animated show “Bounty Hunters” set to debut this summer.

THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION, based on the hit UK format “The Great British Bake Off,” features 10 passionate home bakers competing for the title of best amateur baker in America. Each week, these bakers will compete in three unique challenges – “Signature Bake,” “Technical Bake” and “Showstopper Bake.”  The contestant who out-bakes the rest is that week’s “Star Baker,” while the one whose creations fail to impress is eliminated.  The final challenge will be among the three remaining contestants, one of whom will go on to be crowned the best amateur baker in America and win the $250,000 grand prize.  The winner will also be awarded a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster to publish their own cookbook with Gallery Books.
 Premieres Wednesday, May 29 on the CBS Television Network. ON AIR: Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)


Gavin DeGraw - Folgers Jingle

Multi Platinum Recording Artist Gavin DeGraw has been beloved by fans for his blue-eyed soul vocals, freewheeling melodies, and earthy charm. Now, Gavin has will reveal the top 10 finalists in the search for the next great version of the iconic jingle. These ten finalists have all put their own stamp on the iconic jingle and starting today, the jingles and videos will be featured on Folgers.com/jingle.In interviews on May 22, Gavin will tell your listeners how they can vote for their favorite, who will win the grand prize of $25,000, as well as how voters can win daily prizes, even$10,000! He’ll also reveal his thoughts about YOUR local finalist and their version of the jingle. 

DeGraw is not a stranger to the top of the charts, he first broke through with the 2003 release of his debut album, Chariot, which sold over a million copies, earned platinum certification, and yielded three hit singles: “I Don’t Want To Be,” “Follow Through,” and the title-track,“Chariot.” Gavin’s self-titled second album debuted at No. 1 on the digital sales chart and at No. 7 on the Billboard®Top 200 album chart in 2008, earning Gavin his first Top 10 album. It spawned the hit singles “In Love With A Girl,” which Billboard dubbed “a rocking homerun,” and the gold-certified “We Belong Together.” In 2009, Gavin released Free as a gift to his die-hard fans clamoring for recorded versions of Gavin’s live favorites. DeGraw released his third studio album, Sweeter, in September 2011. The album’s first single, “Not Over You,” reached #1 on the Hot AC charts, was a top 10 hit on Top 40, and was certified double platinum. “Soldier,” his current single is quickly climbing the charts.


Celebrity-Chef Art Smith -   "Taking Diabetes to Heart"

Taking Diabetes to Heart – he’s teaming about with Merck on its Taking Diabetes to Heart campaign to educate people living with type 2 diabetes understand that small, but important, changes in their lifestyle, including food choices, can help them better manage the disease. He weighed 325 pounds when he was diagnosed in 2010, committed to a healthy lifestyle and lost 120 lbs to better manage the disease. He can share his story, and offer tips for others to do the same!

Art Smith's Healthy Comfort (his new book, launching in May) – Over 100 pounds overweight and facing a personal health crisis that included diagnoses for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, Smith started to exercise and made changes to his diet while continuing to prepare delicious meals. For the first time, he shares his weight-loss secrets and the recipes that helped him keep off the pounds.  The book is filled with stunning full-color photos and easy-to-follow directions.


ARIC ALMIROLA - NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES DRIVER
         
Nicky Morse, “The Racing Chef” GENTLEMEN…START YOUR ENGINES
INSIGHT INTO THE UPCOMING NASCAR RACES AND TIPS TO HELP THROW A “1,000 HORSEPOWER” RACE-DAY VIEWING PARTY

With America’s most popular sport is in full swing and with the Coca-Cola 600 just days away (MAY 26), NASCAR fans nationwide are getting ready to watch the big race. NASCAR driver and 2012 Coca-Cola 600 Pole Position Winner Aric Almirola is available to provide your viewers with an insider’s look at the upcoming race and provide his predictions on the winners! And with his current standing at 8th in the Sprint Cup Series, he knows a thing or two about winning. Joining Aric will be Nicky Morse, “The Racing Chef”, who will provide your viewers with tips and recipes to help them throw a “high-octane” viewing party for their families and friends.

Aric Almirola’s entrance into the motor sports world began in 1992 at the age of eight. Racing go-karts, Almirola earned championships at both the local and state levels   before advancing  national competition in 1998.  

That year, he earned the pole for the World Karting Association’s prestigious Grand  National  event in Daytona, Fla., before finishing the year fourth in the national point standings. In 2000, Almirola earned Rookie of the Year honors in the  Florida  Modified  division and the Southern Automobile Racing Association.

Almirola made his way to the Florida Sunbelt Series and took Rookie of the Year honors there as well before winning a series-high six poles the following year. Due to his results in the grassroots levels, in 2003, Almirola was tapped to be one of the original members   of the Joe Gibbs Racing/Reggie White Driver Diversity Program. He made his first foray into NASCAR competition in 2004 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C. Almirola collected two victories, six top-five and 15 top-10 finishes that year. Almirola moved to the NASCAR Nationwide  Series in  2006 and earned hisfirst career Nationwide Series pole at The Milwaukee Mile. He remained in the Nationwide Series in 2007  and was credited with his first   win at The Milwaukee Mile, qualifying and starting a car entered for Denny Hamlin, who flew in from a SprintCup Series event and replaced him midway through   the event.That shared victory helped open doors to NASCAR’s premiere series when Dale Earnhardt, Inc. inked Almirola to apart-time Cup Series deal in 2008.

Almirola drove sporadically in the Cup Series and Nationwide Series the following two years. Joining Richard Petty Motorsports in January 2012 to drive the  legendary No. 43 Ford, Almirola made his way back to the Sprint Cup Series and earned his first full-season opportunity. Almirola wasted little time being successful, earning his first Cup Series pole for the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He finished the season with four top-10 finishes and one top-five. He returns to the No. 43 in 2013 looking for his first win and entry into the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup

Nicky Morse: The NASCAR community welcomed Chef Nicky as a staple in 2010-2011 when he joined SPEED Television Cable Network as the “The Racing Chef”. He hosted a 30 episode-run of a TV show called The Racing Chef which featured Chef Nicky traveling the NASCAR circuit profiling unique restaurants and cooking with the drivers, team owners, fans, and members of the media. He made regular appearances on SPEED’s most frequently watched program, “NASCAR Race Day” where he cooked live in front of several hundred fans at the track. You could also catch him on “The Hub” TV show as well as making regular appearances “Trackside” TV show. Chef Nicky has been a staple on the racing circuit ever since.