NBC Daytime and CMA Music Festival Celebrate Five Years of Partnership in June 2005

NBC Daytime and CMA Music Festival Celebrate Five Years of Partnership in June 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The stars of the NBC Daytime dramas "Days of our Lives" and "Passions" will return to Nashville for the 2005 CMA Music Festival, Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, 2005. This is the fifth consecutive year that NBC Daytime has partnered with the Country Music Association, bringing actors from their hit daytime dramas to participate in "Country Music's Biggest Party(TM)."

Fifteen of NBC Daytime's hottest stars are scheduled to appear including fan favorites Kyle Brandt ("Philip"); Martha Madison ("Belle"); Jason Cook ("Shawn"); Farah Fath ("Mimi"); Melissa Reeves ("Jennifer"); Matt Ashford ("Jack"); Brody Hutzler ("Patrick"); and Julie Pinson ("Billie") from "Days of our Lives;" and Charles Divins ("Chad"); Justin Hartley ("Fox"); Lindsay Hartley ("Theresa"); Eric Martsolf ("Ethan"); Liza Huber ("Gwen"); James Hyde ("Sam") and McKenzie Westmore ("Sheridan") from "Passions." This will be first time fans will have the opportunity to meet Jason Cook, Farah Fath, Brody Hutzler, Martha Madison and Julie Pinson at the CMA Music Festival.

"It's always exciting to have the NBC Daytime stars at CMA Music Festival," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "Not only do the fans love the opportunity to meet their favorite Daytime stars, but the actors and our Country Music artists enjoy hanging out with each other. Great friendships have been built among our artists and the NBC Daytime Stars over the last five years."

"We are thrilled to celebrate five years of participation at the CMA Music Festival, especially as 'Days of our Lives' is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary," said Sheraton Kalouria, Senior Vice President, NBC Daytime. "This year fans will have the opportunity to meet some new faces of 'Days of our Lives' and collect special 40th anniversary commemorative cards, as well as reconnect with their favorite stars from 'Passions.'"

Each of the NBC Daytime stars will participate in many of the activities surrounding the CMA Music Festival, including autograph signings in the Wrangler(R) Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) at the Nashville Convention Center; introductions of performers at the Daily Concerts on the Greased Lightning(R) Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park and the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; and appearances at other selected events during the four-day festival.

The activities culminate with the highly anticipated fourth annual "NBC Daytime After Hours(TM) Party" at the Wildhorse Saloon on Saturday, June 11, at 11:00 PM/CDT (a separate ticket is required). During the event, the actors will showcase their musical talents and interact with fans. Tickets are $25 in advance and are available now by visiting the Wildhorse Saloon Box Office, going to any Ticketmaster outlet, or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com .

For the season, NBC Daytime is #1 among women 18-49 (tie) and 18-34. "Days" is tied for #2 among women 18-49 and is #1 among women 18-34. "Passions" is #6 among women 18-49 and #2 among women 18-34. "Days of our Lives" is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Columbia Pictures Television. "Passions" is produced by NBC Studios in association with Outpost Farms Productions, Inc.

To promote the NBC Daytime stars appearance at CMA Music Festival, CMA and NBC have teamed up for a contest with "After MidNite With Blair Garner," a nightly syndicated Country Music radio program from Premiere Radio Networks. Various NBC Daytime actors will visit the studios of "After MidNite" to talk about CMA Music Festival and upcoming plotlines on their shows. One lucky listener will become the Grand Prize Winner, receiving a "Days of our Lives" walk-on role and a trip for two to Nashville for the festival (including airfare).

Four-day ticket packages are on sale now. Packages are divided into four categories, based on the level of reserved seating at The Coliseum (the Gold Circle and Floor Level ticket packages are already sold out). Four-day 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; special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops and more.

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 www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit 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. All sales are final and non-refundable.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artists appearing and more, visit 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. Chevy, An American Revolution, is the official automotive partner of the CMA Music Festival. Promotional partners include Bush's(R) Baked Beans, CremeSavers(R) candies, Coca-Cola(R), 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 Country Music Association, +1-615-244-2840; or Tracy St. Pierre of NBC Entertainment Publicity, +1-818-840-2515

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: CMA Music Festival images and registration for media credentials are available at www.CMApress.com. Media credential registration ends May 13. This is a protected site with restrictions on access. It is not intended for public use.

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