Hampton Hitting the Stage

New York, NY - November 7, 2005 - Former Liberty player Kym Hampton has played basketball on a national stage before. After all, she did tip-off the very first WNBA game in 1997, a historical moment broadcast around the world. Well now she will be playing on an actual stage. Hampton will perform at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 15, singing background vocals for country mega-duo Brooks and Dunn on the nationally broadcast Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.

Liberty fans are familiar with Hampton's golden vocal chords, as she has sung the National Anthem at games in the past. It was her voice, along with a connection, that landed Hampton her first professional gig next week. Robert Bailey, himself a background vocalist, was given the charge of securing other back-up singers for Brooks and Dunn's CMA performance. He contacted none other than Vicki Hampton, Kym's cousin and a background singer for Dolly Parton. The two then decided Kym would be a perfect fit for the show.

Brooks and Dunn will arrive in New York this weekend to begin rehearsing with their band and background vocalists, giving everyone a few days to get everything perfect for their performance of "Believe." The award winning duo will actually be pulling double duty that evening, as they are also serving as hosts of the 39th Annual CMA Awards. The show will air live from The Garden on November 15 at 8:00 p.m. on CBS.

For complete CMA Awards details, visit the official website. And tune in on November 15 to see Kym Hampton make her professional singing debut on the big stage!