Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trick Pony and Jeff Bates Join CMA Music Festival Coliseum Lineup

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trick Pony and Jeff Bates Join CMA Music Festival Coliseum Lineup

CMA Celebrity Close Up Series Features Kix Brooks, Eddie Montgomery, Sugarland, Travis Tritt and Trisha Yearwood

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Artists continue to sign-on for the 2005 CMA Music Festival, the "crown jewel of Country Music festivals" according to USA Today. "Country Music's Biggest Party(TM)" takes place Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, in Downtown Nashville.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trick Pony and Jeff Bates and are the latest additions to the artist lineup for the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum.

"The Nightly Concerts lineup continues to reflect both the strength and diversity of the Country Music genre," said Ed Benson, CMA Executive Director.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will make their CMA Music Festival debut, performing on Sunday night, June 12. The multi-platinum Lynyrd Skynyrd, considered the definitive Southern Rock band, have electrified audiences for more than three decades. Thyrty -- The 30th Anniversary Collection, a two-CD set released in 2003, was recently certified Platinum by the RIAA for more than one million copies sold. The legendary band's latest albums are Vicious Cycle and Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour on Sanctuary Records.

"Lynyrd Skynyrd's unique fusion of rock, blues and Country Music make them a perfect addition to CMA Music Festival," said Benson.

Curb recording trio Trick Pony will perform on Thursday night, June 9. The band was nominated for a CMA Award in 2004 in the Vocal Group of the Year category. The energetic entertainers are known for such songs as "Pour Me" and "On a Night Like This." Trick Pony's current single is "It's a Heartache."

RCA recording artist Jeff Bates will perform at The Coliseum on Sunday, June 12. Bates made a powerful impact with fans and Country radio this year with the romantic single "Long, Slow Kisses" from his album Rainbow Man.

Pre-Show Activities Thursday, June 9 will begin at 7:30 PM with Capitol Nashville recording artist Jamie O'Neal performing the National Anthem. In addition, Curb/Asylum recording artist Cowboy Crush will perform "He's Coming Home" as a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces. The U.S. Marine Color Guard will also participate in the Pre-Show Activities.

The Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum (home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans) begin each night at 8:00 PM/CDT (with Pre-Show activities beginning at 7:30 PM/CDT on Thurs., June 9, only), and feature non-stop entertainment with state-of-the-art production on dual stages with fireworks at the conclusion of each show.

The artist lineups for the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum are as follows:

Thursday, June 9: Pre-Show Activities; Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton and The Grascals, Julie Roberts, Sugarland, Trick Pony, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar and Lee Ann Womack

Friday, June 10: Sara Evans, Josh Gracin, Alan Jackson, Craig Morgan, Rascal Flatts, SHeDAISY, Blake Shelton and Travis Tritt

Saturday, June 11: Trace Adkins, MirandaLambert, Jo Dee Messina, Joe Nichols, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna and Trisha Yearwood

Sunday, June 12: Jeff Bates, Big & Rich with Special Guest Appearance by Cowboy Troy, Diamond Rio, Andy Griggs, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sawyer Brown, Van Zant and Gretchen Wilson

Advance-purchase tickets for each nightly show at The Coliseum cost $30 plus applicable handling fees, and can be purchased through the CMA Music Festival Box Office at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, 501 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn., or toll-free at 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster at (615) 255-9600, at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and all Ticketmaster outlets. Ticket prices are subject to change. Single concert tickets will also be sold during CMA Music Festival at The Coliseum ticket office beginning Thursday, June 9.A limited number of CMA Music Festival four-day ticket packages, which include the Nightly Concerts, Daily Concerts at the Greased Lightning(R) Daytime Stages, Wrangler(R) Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) and more, are still available. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non- refundable.

A limited amount of on-site pay parking ($8 per vehicle) will be available nightly at The Coliseum in Lots E and F, just across the Woodland Street Bridge. This parking is not available for pre-purchase. It is only available for purchase on-site on a first-come, first-serve basis after 5:00 PM on Thursday and Friday (June 9-10), and all-day Saturday and Sunday (June 11-12). Ample paid surface lots and parking garages are available in Downtown Nashville, conveniently accessible to The Coliseum via the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.

CMA Celebrity Close Up Series

The CMA Celebrity Close Up Series returns for a third year, giving fans an in-depth glimpse into an artist's life and personality. The sessions take place on Thursday, June 9 and Friday, June 10 from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM at the Ryman Auditorium, with GAC personality Lorianne Crook as moderator. Fans will have the opportunity to write out questions for the artists, which Crook will ask during the session as time allows.

On Thursday, June 9, the series will kick off with Kix Brooks (of Brooks and Dunn) and Eddie Montgomery (of Montgomery Gentry) providing their unique perspectives on their careers and more for the first half of the session. Sugarland, one of Country Music's most successful new groups, will take the stage for the second half of the session to discuss their rising success.

On Friday, June 10, Travis Tritt will talk about his music and film career for the first session. The second half of the session will feature a conversation with Trisha Yearwood.

The CMA Celebrity Close up Series is a separately ticketed event. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 the day of the event. They can be purchased by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Fans can also logon to http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or stop by the Ryman Auditorium Box Office to purchase tickets.

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. Chevy, An American Revolution, is the official automotive partner of the CMA Music Festival. Promotional partners include Bush's(R) Baked Beans, Carl Black Chevrolet, Chick-fil-A(R), CremeSavers(R) candies, Coca-Cola(R), Crisco(R), Greased Lightning(R), HCA/TRI-STAR, NBC Daytime, Prilosec OTC, 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.cmaworld.com/ http://www.cmafest.com/

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