More Artists Announced for CMA Music Festival 2005 Including Sara Evans, Travis Tritt and Lee Ann Womack

More Artists Announced for CMA Music Festival 2005 Including Sara Evans, Travis Tritt and Lee Ann Womack

"Country Music's Biggest Party" To Include Non-Stop Music, Autograph Signings, Family Activities, Sporting Events, Special Appearances and More

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Artists continue to join the lineup for the 2005 CMA Music Festival. The four-day Music Festival takes over Downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12, with non-stop musical performances, celebrity autograph signings, family fun, sports activities and much more.

Artists who've joined the list of those appearing at "Country Music's Biggest Party(TM)" now include Jessi Alexander, Jason Aldean, Deborah Allen, Keith Anderson, Jessica Andrews, Jeff Bates, Bellamy Brothers, John Berry, Blue County, Paul Brandt, Lane Brody, T. Graham Brown, Tracy Byrd, George Canyon, Carolina Rain, Anita Cochran, Tammy Cochran, Cowboy Crush, Glenn Cummings, Amy Dalley, Joey Daniels, Linda Davis, Billy Dean, Joe Diffie, Amber Dotson, Katrina Elam, Sara Evans, Shelly Fairchild, Donna Fargo, Kevin Fowler, The Grascals, Hanna-McEuen, Steve Holy, Hometown News, Hot Apple Pie, Jedd Hughes, Buddy Jewell, Jeannie Kendall, Royal Wade Kimes, Jill King, Miranda Lambert, Blaine Larsen, Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Lines, Little Big Town, Little Texas, Lauren Lucas, Malibu Storm, Lila McCann, Neal McCoy, Craig Morgan, David Lee Murphy, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O'Neal, Danni O'Neill, Restless Heart, Rushlow, Sawyer Brown, Ray Scott, Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand, Sugarland, Pam Tillis, Aaron Tippin, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Lane Turner, Wayne Warner, Bryan White, The Wilkinsons, Trent Willmon, Lee Ann Womack, Chely Wright, Billy Yates, the future winner of the third season of "Nashville Star" and more artists to be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.

"I can't wait to play CMA Music Festival in 2005," said Jamie O'Neal. "Every year it gets bigger and better. The CMA and the fans make it all possible."

Artists previously announced include Trace Adkins, Steve Azar, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Brad Cotter, Cowboy Troy, Billy Currington, Josh Gracin, The Jenkins, Jo Dee Messina, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, Jon Randall, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Julie Roberts, Trick Pony, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar, Jimmy Wayne, Mark Wills, Gretchen Wilson, Darryl Worley, Michelle Wright and the stars of NBC Daytime dramas "Days of our Lives" and "Passions."

"It is so rewarding to see the support and the commitment of these artists to their fans and this event," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "I know the sacrifices these artists make to be here and I know what it means to the fans who travel from around the world -- literally -- to attend."

Dubbed the "crown jewel" of Country Music festivals by USA Today, CMA Music Festival builds on the reputation of Fan Fair(R), which was created exclusively for the fans in 1972. And 34 years later, the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their admirers remains at the heart of CMA Music Festival. Each June, the artists take time out of their busy touring schedules to play for free, meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos, to give back to the people and community that have supported them throughout the year.

With hundreds of artists expected to participate and more than 70 hours of concerts at venues centrally located in Downtown Nashville, CMA Music Festival is a four-day, non-stop celebration of America's music for people of all ages who love great songs, great artists and a great time.

CMA Music Festival has a lot to offer including nightly, star-packed concerts at The Coliseum with state-of-the-art production, two huge stages for continuous entertainment, the popular CMA Music Festival Photo Line and giant video screens capturing all of the excitement. In addition to the Nightly Concerts, you'll find daily, non-stop music at the Greased Lightning(R) Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park with an eclectic lineup of artists including Country hit-makers, rising stars, legends, stellar bluegrass performers, and surprise guests. Riverfront shows also feature major production support, including daytime video screens and dual stages for non-stop music.

But CMA Music Festival isn't just about seeing artists in concert. The event offers numerous opportunities for fans to interact and see their favorite stars in unique settings, whether it's getting an autograph in the Wrangler(R) Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) at the Nashville Convention Center; asking questions during the CMA Celebrity Close Up series hosted by media personality Lorianne Crook (extra ticket required); attending "LAWRY'S live" cooking demonstrations in the Fun Zone; participating in arts and crafts activities at the Bush's(R) Baked Beans Family Zone; or watching the weigh-in during the "Bassmaster Anglers and Artists Tournament" in the Sports Zone.

Four-day ticket packages are on sale now. Packages are divided into four categories, based on the level of reserved seating at The Coliseum. Ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at Greased Lightning(R) Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Wrangler(R) Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) featuring the Acoustic Corner; Bush's(R) Baked Beans Family Zone; Fun Zone; Sports Zone and performance stage; CMA Music Festival After Hours(TM); free in-town shuttles; the CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; and more.

LEVEL Full Price 14 and younger Gold Circle SOLD OUT N/A Floor (Field) $145 $100 Lower Level $125 $86 Club Level $125 $86

Four-day ticket packages for CMA Music Festival are easy to purchase. Order over the phone by calling toll-free, 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit http://www.cmafest.com/ to download an order form to fax or mail; visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/ to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. Order early for the best available reserved seat at The Coliseum. All sales are final and non-refundable.

A limited number of four-day parking passes for The Coliseum are available by phone order only. Call toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) to order. The price is $28 for cars; $60 for vans/shuttles; and $120 for RVs/motor coaches. Spaces are limited and no overnight parking is allowed. Free shuttles run all day between major Festival event locations.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artists appearing and more, visit http://www.cmafest.com/ and sign up for e-news or purchase official CMA Music Festival merchandise.

2005 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. MJI Programming, a division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the official radio broadcaster. Promotional partners include Bush's(R) Baked Beans, Crisco(R), Greased Lightning(R), NBC Daytime and Wrangler(R). Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA.

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl or Scott Stem of CMA, +1-615-244-2840

Web site: http://www.cmafest.com/ http://www.cmaworld.com/ http://www.cmapress.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Apply for media credentials to cover CMA Music Festival online at http://www.CMApress.com . The site contains information and downloadable photos for the media only. The site is password protected and not meant for public use. The public should be directed to http://www.CMAfest.com .

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