Get an All Access Pass to Summer's Hottest Event 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock' on ABC

Get an All Access Pass to Summer's Hottest Event 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock' on ABC

Artists Performing at the Festival Include Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Dwight Yoakam

Filming June 5-8 in Nashville, Special Airs Sept. 8

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer heats up when ABC heads to Nashville to take you to the hottest music event of the year: "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock."

Filming Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, today's most exciting Country Music sensations will hit the stage during a four-day party and music celebration for a special that will air Monday, Sept. 8 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Some of the artists already announced to appear at the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT(TM) Concert Stage at LP Field include Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Dwight Yoakam, and surprise appearances by Country superstars - a hallmark of the Festival.

"Our announced lineup this year is very strong and exciting with a depth and variety of performers that will certainly appeal to anyone who loves Country Music," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "But what makes this Festival really thrilling is the energy charge created when an artist the fans weren't expecting to see steps onto that stage. The eruption of applause and screams lets us know that we delivered a Festival highlight."

The annual event is unlike any other: four days, 30 hours of autograph signings, 100 hours of live music, hundreds of artists and celebrities, and a party list of thousands of avid, singing and dancing-till-dawn fans. This is the fourth time ABC will broadcast this special - which invites the whole country to America's biggest Country Music bash. Originally started as Fan Fair(R) in 1972, last year the event experienced its biggest attendance to date - 191,000.

In addition to exciting, never-before-televised music performances, viewers will also enjoy the ultimate, Country Music fan experience. In exclusively shot segments for the special, the cameras will capture behind-the-scenes moments between the artist and their fans and follow the stories of several passionate Country Music enthusiasts.

"CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" is executive-produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson. The 2008 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Tickets for 2008 CMA Music Festival are still available. 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 on the VAULT Concert Stages at LP Field; Daily Concerts on the Greased Lightning(R) Daytime Stage; daily admittance to the truTV(TM) Fan Fair 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.

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, CMT(TM), Dr Pepper(R), Greased Lightning(R) Cleaning Products, Mary Kay(R), McDonald's(R), Music City Rising Star, Tetley(R) Iced Tea, truTV(TM), and VAULT(TM). Fan Fair(R) is a registered trademark of CMA.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl, +1-615-244-2840, or Scott Stem, +1-615-244-2840,
both of Country Music Association; or Mozell Miley, ABC Media Relations-NY,
+1-212-456-6444

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 for media credentials to cover activities during the 2008 CMA Music Festival.

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Profile: International Entertainment