2008 CMA Music Festival Artist Lineup Grows With Star-Powered Concerts at Greased Lightning Daytime Stages

2008 CMA Music Festival Artist Lineup Grows With Star-Powered Concerts at Greased Lightning Daytime Stages

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The excitement is building for 2008 CMA Music Festival, Thursday-Sunday, June 5-8 in Downtown Nashville, as artists performing at the Greased Lightning(R) Daytime Stages at Riverfront are announced.

"The CMA Music Festival artist performer lineup truly reflects the diversity and strength of our music," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "We have today's hitmakers, legends and rising stars from the worlds of contemporary and traditional Country Music. If you want to experience the best of the format, you'll find it everywhere you turn during CMA Music Festival."

In 2007, attendance at the Festival topped 191,000 with fans from every state and 21 foreign lands. In fact, 10Best.com (Trusted Advice for Travelers(TM)), named CMA Music Festival a 2008 Best Bet for Times to Visit Nashville. Now in its 37th year, the Festival (formerly known as Fan Fair(R)) spotlights the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans while raising funds to support music education in Metro Nashville's public schools through the CMA's philanthropic program "Keep the Music Playing."

Artists scheduled to perform on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages include (in alphabetical order):

   Thursday, June 5                     Friday, June 6   Keith Anderson                       Eric Church   Bellamy Brothers                     Cowboy Crush   Luke Bryan                           Crossin' Dixon   Tracy Byrd                           Ashley Gearing   Carters Chord                        Jennifer Hanson   Mark Chesnutt                        Heartland   Emerson Drive                        Sarah Johns   Adam Gregory                         Lonestar   Jypsi                                Neal McCoy   Lost Trailers                        Lorrie Morgan   Richie McDonald                      Megan Mullins   David Nail                           Jake Owen   Heidi Newfield                       The Road Hammers   James Otto                           Crystal Shawanda   Danielle Peck                        Ashton Shepherd   Phil Stacey                          Fisher Stevenson   Aaron Tippin                         Emily West   Chuck Wicks                          Chris Young     Saturday, June 7                     Sunday, June 8   Katie Armiger                        Charlie Allen   John Berry                           T. Graham Brown   Lee Brice                            Laura Bryna   Eli Young Band                       Carolina Rain   "Honky Tonk Tail Gate Party" with    Drew Davis Band        Buddy Jewell                    Whitney Duncan        Ray Scott                       Jimmy Fortune        Trent Willmon                   Ty Herndon        Mark Wills                      LoCash Cowboys   Randy Houser                         Rockie Lynne   Emma Mae Jacob                       Raul Malo   Justin Moore                         Mel McDaniel   Michael Martin Murphy                Oak Ridge Boys   Minnie Murphy                        Jamie O'Neal   Jasmine Rae                          Rissi Palmer   Mica Roberts                         Rio Grand   The Roys                             Sunny Sweeney   Jeffrey Steele                       Bryan White   Doug Stone                           Billy Yates   Mel Tillis   Trailor Choir   Jimmy Wayne   Whiskey Falls   Darryl Worley    

Additional artists will be announced as performers on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages in the coming weeks.

Admission to the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages is included in CMA Music Festival four-day ticket packages. Single-day tickets for the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages will be sold the day of each show at the gate for $16 each. Children 6 and younger are admitted free of charge, making the Riverfront concerts a popular destination for families who want to enjoy great musical performances while relaxing on the sloping bank of the Cumberland River. The concerts are fun in the sun within easy walking distance of all the Festival event sites, with food vendors, activities and more.

But the fun doesn't end there. Performers announced for the nightly concerts at LP Field include Rodney Atkins, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Dwight Yoakam. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks, and surprise artist performances - a hallmark of the event - are also being planned.

Tickets for 2008 CMA Music Festival are available now. To order tickets call 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.

Four-day ticket package categories correspond to different levels of seating at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE. Four-day ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at LP Field; Daily Concerts on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) featuring the Acoustic Corner; McDonald's(R)-Dr Pepper(R) Family Zone; Fun Zone; Chevy(TM) Sports Zone; CMA Music Festival After Hours; free in-town shuttles; the CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; and more. Ticket prices and artist appearances are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.

   2008 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FOUR-DAY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES   LEVEL                            ADULT          12 & YOUNGER   Gold Circle (Floor)              SOLD OUT       N/A   Floor Level                      SOLD OUT       SOLD OUT   Lower Level                      $145           $102   Club Level                       $135           $95   Upper Level (general admission)  $110           $78     * NOTE: Please call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) for information on ADA           seating, which may be available in Sold Out sections.    

Between now and March 24 at 5:00 PM/CDT, fans also have an opportunity to bid on a limited number of CMA Music Festival ticket packages through Ticketmaster VIP Auctions at ticketmaster.com.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news.

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. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Borders(R) Books & Music: The Exclusive Music & Book retailer of the CMA Music Festival. Wrangler(R): The Exclusive Jean of the CMA Music Festival. Additional promotional partners include, Dr Pepper(R), Greased Lightning(R) Cleaning Products, McDonald's(R), Music City Rising Star and Tetley(R) Iced Tea. Fan Fair(R) is a registered trademark of CMA.

For information, logos and downloadable photos, visit our media-only website, www.CMApress.com. You may also register on this site for media credentials to cover activities during the 2008 CMA Music Festival.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: CMA

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

Web site: http://www.cmafest.com/
http://www.ticketmaster.com/
http://www.10best.com/
http://www.cmapress.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment