Performers Announced for 2008 CMA Music Festival

Performers Announced for 2008 CMA Music Festival

Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Dwight Yoakam, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler, and Lady Antebellum are Scheduled to Perform in June During Nashville's 4-Day, Signature Musical Event

NASHVILLE, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The initial lineup of performers for 2008 CMA Music Festival is a potent mix of Festival faithful, cross-genre first-timers and returning superstars.

"What's amazing about this year's lineup is that we have artists who are fan favorites, those who support the event year after year, coming to perform once again as well as an outstanding list of artists who are making their first appearance or retuning to our event after time away," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

The list of new and established Country headliners performing on the main stage during the nightly concerts at LP Field includes:

   -- Superstar Faith Hill, making her first Festival performance since 1998,      when the event was known as Fan Fair.    -- Sixteen time CMA Award winner and multi-Platinum selling Country star,      Alan Jackson.    -- Reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood, who has      performed at the Festival every year since being crowned American Idol      in 2005.    -- Actor and musical innovator Dwight Yoakam, who last performed at the      Festival in 1988 alongside Buck Owens at the Nashville Fairgrounds.    -- Reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Sugarland.    -- Reigning CMA Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift.    -- Jewel, making her debut CMA Music Festival performance.    -- Musical firebrand and four-time CMA Award nominee Miranda Lambert.    -- New traditionalist and four-time CMA Award nominee Josh Turner.    -- Festival favorite and CMA Horizon Award Nominee Rodney Atkins.    -- American Idol alumni and CMA Horizon Award nominee Kellie Pickler.    -- And, Lady Antebellum, making their first appearance in the Nightly      Concerts at LP Field.    

CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, in Downtown Nashville. In 2007, the CMA Music Festival featured more than 400 artists and celebrities, 100 hours of concerts, 35 hours of autograph signings for 191,000 fans from every state and 21 foreign countries. The 2008 CMA Music Festival promises to bring even more excitement, and best of all, the Festival will once again support music education in public schools.

CMA, in a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, has donated more than $1 million to further music education programs for the 75,000 children in the Metro Nashville school system. The philanthropic program, aptly titled "Keep the Music Playing," was founded in 2005 as a way for the CMA Music Festival and its participating artists to give back to the community.

"The generosity of our artist community is what makes it possible for us to support music education in our community," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese.

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(R) 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 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 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.

A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are available. Call toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or Ticketmaster to order. The price is $31 for cars; $63 for vans/shuttles; and $123 for RVs/motor coaches. Prices do not include handling fee. Spaces are limited, and no overnight parking is allowed. All persons planning to park at LP Field must pre-purchase the parking pass. Free shuttles (for four-day registrants) will run daily between major Festival event locations.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. 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 Iced Tea. Fan Fair(R) is a registered trademark of CMA.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl or Scott Stem of Country Music Association,
+1-615-244-2840

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: For information, logos and downloadable photos, visit our media-only website, www.CMApress.com. You may also register on this site beginning Monday, March 3 for media credentials to cover activities during the 2008 CMA Music Festival.

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Profile: International Entertainment