'CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party' Rocks ABC Television Network August 2

'CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party' Rocks ABC Television Network August 2

Gretchen Wilson Performs Network Television Debut of Her New Single "All Jacked Up"

Plus a Special Appearance by Rodney Carrington of ABC's "Rodney"

Special Will Air in High Definition Television with 5.1-Channel Surround Sound

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- If you missed this year's CMA Music Festival, you won't want to miss "CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party" when it airs Tuesday, Aug. 2 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network in HDTV with 5.1-channel surround sound.

The two-hour, primetime television event features performances by some of the hottest acts appearing at CMA Music Festival including Dierks Bentley ("How Am I Doin'?"); Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy ("Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)"); Sara Evans ("Perfect"); Alan Jackson ("Where I Come From"); Miranda Lambert ("Kerosene"); Jo Dee Messina ("My Give A Damn's Busted"); Dolly Parton and The Grascals ("Viva Las Vegas"); Rascal Flatts ("Fast Cars and Freedom"); Sugarland ("Something More"); Keith Urban ("Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me"); Phil Vassar ("I'll Take That As A Yes (The Hot Tub Song)"); Lee Ann Womack ("I May Hate Myself In The Morning"); Wynonna ("I Can Only Imagine"); and Trisha Yearwood ("Georgia Rain"). The special will also premiere the network television debut of Gretchen Wilson's new single, "All Jacked Up," the first single off her soon-to-be released follow-up album to her multi-Platinum debut, Here For The Party.

"We are very excited to partner with ABC for this exciting show," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "The special includes riveting performances in front of thousands of fans - which is where these artists excel. The unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans is the cornerstone of this event. This wonderful bond will be spotlighted as the TV special looks behind the scenes and into the real stories that are part of what has made this Festival a singular success for 34 years."

Stadium staging, screaming crowds, personal encounters and the power that comes from dreams being realized are what "CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party" is all about. The special was taped during CMA Music Festival, June 9-12 in Nashville with more than 145,000 fans as extras.

In addition to the performances, the special will feature some of the stories at the heart of the encounters between the artists and their fans.

In one segment, Alan Jackson meets a group of New York City firefighters who have been touched by the power and message of "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," which was played in their firehouse for months to help them come to terms with their loss.

Country Music's premiere young headliners Rascal Flatts relive a little of their honky tonk history when they make a surprise return to play a Downtown bar where they got their start in front of thrilled fans.

And Big & Rich pay a visit to Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to perform and honor a young patient, Katie Darnell, who became a friend and inspired their music before she passed away from brain cancer in 2003.

Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry take viewers on a quick tour of the event from their kick-off concert to interviews with fans from around the world.

Funny guy Rodney Carrington, star of ABC-TV's "Rodney," takes viewers on a tour of the popular autograph sessions where the artists sign photos and pose for pictures with fans.

And Kix Brooks, of super duo Brooks & Dunn, puts five, young impresarios through their paces before introducing them to legendary pickers Ricky Skaggs and Earl Scruggs.

"The CMA Music Festival is one of the most exciting events I've been to, to hear some of the greatest music in the world," said Andrea Wong, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Special and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "To watch the fans and the artists come together and connect on a personal level is an experience like no other, and we are thrilled to bring this special to ABC for the first time."

"CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party" is a CMA production. Robert Deaton is the executive producer and Gary Halvorson is the director. CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by CMA.

"CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party" carries a TV-PG, L parental guideline.

A rollicking, 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 2006 will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 8-11, in Downtown Nashville and tickets are available now and selling fast.

To order tickets for the 2006 CMA Music Festival call 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. All sales are final and non-refundable.

Four-day ticket package categories correspond to a different level of reserved seating at The Coliseum. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free. Four-day ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall); Family Zone; Fun Zone; Sports Zone; free in-town shuttles; program book and more.

2006 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FOUR-DAY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES

LEVEL ADULT 14 & YOUNGER Gold Circle (Floor) SOLD OUT n/a Floor Level $155 $110 Lower Level $135 $ 95 Club Level $125 $ 86

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 sponsor of the CMA Music Festival.

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl or Scott Stem of CMA, +1-615-244-2840; or Mozell I. Miley of ABC, +1-212-456-6444

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information and photos from 2005 CMA Music Festival visit www.CMApress.com. This site is for the media only and is password protected. The public should be directed to www.CMAfest.com

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