Country Music Wraps 2005 on Strong Note

Country Music Wraps 2005 on Strong Note

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- While the bulk of the music industry slumped with an across-the-board decline of 7.2 percent for music sales in 2005, Country Music finished stronger than every format except Latin, with a more modest 3.3 percent drop, according to figures released this week by Nielsen SoundScan.

"As an industry we face the same challenges as all musical formats, but in 2005, we had some advantages too," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. "Country Music received a lot of national attention with Carrie Underwood winning 'American Idol,' the Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk the Line' hitting movie theaters, network television specials for Kenny Chesney and Faith Hill, and of course the CMA Awards one-time visit to New York City. With all of these important factors impacting the marketplace right before our fourth quarter sales season, we were able to carry that momentum through the end of the year."

In fact, sales of Top Current Country Albums were strong in the holiday sales period (the last six weeks of 2005), finishing ahead of the same period in 2004 by 8 percent, while sales of the Top 200 Current Albums fell 16 percent, according to Nielsen SoundScan's annual tally.

During the busiest retail week of the year (Dec. 19-25), 11 Country albums scanned more than 100,000 units each including Carrie Underwood (400,625); Kenny Chesney (268,898); The Legend of Johnny Cash (177,548); Rascal Flatts (172,369); Faith Hill (145,498); Trace Adkins (134,157); Reba McEntire (124,086); Keith Urban (122,780); Martina McBride (121,099); Big & Rich (119,323); and Sugarland (117,476). Gretchen Wilson was close behind with 98,366.

Overall, the number of albums sold in 2005 was 75.3 million down from 77.9 million in 2004, but Country's market share increased in 2005 from 11.69 to 12.7 percent. Frustrating the number watchers is the fact that Garth Brooks' box set, which was sold exclusively at Wal-Mart, was not included in the Nielsen SoundScan count. The retail giant has said that more than a million copies have been sold, but estimates place that figure as high as 2.5 million.

"If those numbers had been included in the final SoundScan figures, we would have ended the year on the positive side of the equation," Genovese said. "Still, Country Music held its own during a very tumultuous period for the music industry. The creative depth of our artistic community, loyalty of our fan base and the breakthrough success of some of our bright new talent all contributed to this achievement."

Contributing to those gains in 2005, was a diverse slate of performers representing the broad terrain of the format from newcomers Underwood and Sugarland to legacy artist Cash; cross-over superstar Faith Hill to one of the premiere entertainers in the industry Kenny Chesney; Toby Keith, who continued to sell strong in 2005, to trio Rascal Flatts, who broke into the upper sales ranks across all formats for the first time. The trio's album Feels Like Today sold 2,511,209 units in 2005, claiming the No. 7 best selling album of the year spot among all genres.

"The diversity of these performers illustrates the strength and future potential of the genre," Genovese said. "Country Music is strong as a format, when you have artists at virtually every phase of their careers selling albums at this pace."

Album Sales

- The Top 10 Country albums of 2005, according to Nielsen SoundScan
(Dec. 28, 2005 YTD):

Top 10 Country Albums (in millions)
1. Feels Like Today, Rascal Flatts 2.5 million
2. The Road & The Radio, Kenny Chesney 1.8 million
3. Be Here, Keith Urban 1.7 million
4. Some Hearts, Carrie Underwood 1.6 million
5. Fireflies, Faith Hill 1.5 million
6. Twice The Speed of Life, Sugarland 1.5 million
7. Honkytonk University, Toby Keith 1.4 million
8. Here for the Party, Gretchen Wilson 1.2 million
9. Be As You Are, Kenny Chesney 1.1 million
10. Vol. 2 Greatest Hits, Toby Keith 1.0 million

- Albums making simultaneous No. 1 debuts on the Billboard 200 and
Country Albums Charts in 2005 included Kenny Chesney's Be As You Are
and The Road and the Radio; Faith Hill's Fireflies; George Strait's
Somewhere Down in Texas; and Gretchen Wilson's All Jacked Up.

- Garth Brooks released Garth Brooks: The Limited Series box set
exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations on Nov. 25. Wal-Mart
announced the box set sold more than 500,000 copies on its first day of
release, making it the top-selling musical component in Wal-Mart
history. In the second week after its release, Wal-Mart announced the
box set had sold more than one million copies. RIAA has not yet
announced a certification of these sales. These sales are also not
reflected in the Nielsen SoundScan figures.

- Country female newcomers Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood made
their mark in 2005. Lambert's debut album Kerosene and Underwood's Some
Hearts both entered the Billboard Country Albums Chart at No. 1. At the
end of 2005, Lambert got her Christmas wish when her album went Gold.
Underwood's album sold 314,000 units in its first week, making it the
biggest first week sales of a debut album by a new Country artist in
Nielsen SoundScan history. The album was certified Gold after only two
weeks in stores, and was certified Platinum soon after. Underwood's
album continued to be a strong seller throughout the holiday sales
period and into the new year, with more RIAA certifications sure to
follow in 2006.

RIAA Album Sales Certifications

- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified 35 Gold,
22 Platinum and 15 multi-Platinum (including 1 Diamond) Country albums.
Gold indicates sales of 500,000 units; Platinum indicates sales of 1
million units; multi-Platinum is for each successive million units
sold; and Diamond indicates sales of 10 million albums. The RIAA
continues to award these rankings throughout the life of the album; an
album does not have to be released in the same year it achieves one or
more of these rankings.

- The legendary Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits album received the Diamond
award for reaching 10 million units sold in 2005. After more than 40
years, the Country Music Hall of Fame member's music continues to
inspire and entertain new generations of fans.

- Big & Rich (Horse of a Different Color) received their first multi-
Platinum album certification in 2005, selling over 2 million albums.
Dierks Bentley (Dierks Bentley); Chris LeDoux (20 Greatest Hits);
Sugarland (Twice The Speed Of Life); and Carrie Underwood (Some Hearts)
received their first Platinum album certifications in 2005. Jason
Aldean (Jason Aldean); Rodney Carrington (Greatest Hits); Josh Gracin
(Josh Gracin); Miranda Lambert (Kerosene); Sugarland (Twice The Speed
Of Life); and Carrie Underwood (Some Hearts) received their first Gold
album certifications in 2005.

- In 2004, RIAA launched the Digital Sales Awards, reflecting sales of
singles downloaded from legal online music sites. RIAA Digital Gold
Sales Awards were given to 34 Country singles and a Platinum Sales
Award went to six singles in 2005. Single tracks are awarded Gold
(100,000 downloads), Platinum (200,000) and multi-Platinum (400,000+)
certifications. Platinum Digital Sales certifications went to Big &
Rich's "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy;" Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were
Dying;" Rascal Flatts' "Bless The Broken Road;" Keith Urban's "You'll
Think Of Me;" Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman;" and Lee Ann Womack's
"I Hope You Dance."

- In addition, the RIAA certified five Gold (50,000 units sold) and four
Platinum (100,000 units sold) Country longform videos. Platinum Country
longform videos included Trace Adkins (Video Hits); Big & Rich (Super
Galactic Fan Pack); and Keith Urban (Video Hits and Livin' Right Now).

- For more information on album, single and video certifications, visit
the searchable database on www.RIAA.com.

Touring Events

- Listed below are the Top 10 all-genre tours and the Top 10 Country
tours based on attendance, according to Pollstar magazine for shows
played between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2005:

ALL GENRE TOP 10 (attendance) COUNTRY TOP 10 (attendance)
1. U2 1,432,890 1. Kenny Chesney 1,131,326
2. Dave Matthews Band 1,211,430 2. Rascal Flatts 807,899
3. The Rolling Stones 1,209,429 3. Toby Keith 684,968
4. Kenny Chesney 1,131,326 4. Jimmy Buffett 536,391
5. Green Day 912,843 5. Keith Urban 515,596
6. Rascal Flatts 807,899 6. Brooks & Dunn 489,239
7. Motley Crue 791,591 7. Brad Paisley 362,341
8. Neil Diamond 750,210 8. Alison Krauss and Union
Station Featuring Jerry
Douglas 292,217
9. Eagles 725,598 9. George Strait 261,322
10. "Vans Warped Tour" 717,736 10. Alan Jackson 247,202

- Some of Country's hottest stars teamed up on the road in 2005. Reba
McEntire, Terri Clark and Brad Paisley had the "Two Hats and a Redhead
Tour;" Brooks & Dunn hooked up with other high-energy duos Big & Rich
and the Warren Brothers for the "Deuces Wild Tour;" Kenny Chesney
invited Gretchen Wilson, Keith Urban, Uncle Kracker and Pat Green on
his "Somewhere in the Sun Tour;" and Alan Jackson and Sara Evans
collaborated on the "What I Do Tour." Urban headlined his own tour,
"Livin' Right Now," with Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert. Toby
Keith invited Lee Ann Womack and Shooter Jennings on his "Big Throwdown
II Tour." Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton and Shelly Fairchild
performed on the "Here's To You Tour."

CMA Music Festival
Country Music's Biggest Party

- In 2005, CMA Music Festival broke attendance records with 145,355
people attending "Country Music's Biggest Party," June 9-12 in Downtown
Nashville. Though persistent showers from a tropical storm drenched
many of the venues, the fans still came out in force, dancing, singing
and clapping along to more than 50 hours of music. Thirty-five acts
appeared in the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum including Trace
Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Miranda
Lambert, Jo Dee Messina, Dolly Parton and The Grascals, Rascal Flatts,
Kenny Rogers, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Travis Tritt, Carrie Underwood,
Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood
and more. Montgomery Gentry kicked off the Festival at the Greased
Lightning(R) Daytime Stages with a rousing performance before thousands
of fans. The riverfront dual stages bustled with a rich array of more
than 100 acts from major and independent labels. The Wrangler(R) Fan
Fair (Exhibit Hall) was once again a hit with fans seeking that much-
coveted autograph.

- 2006 CMA Music Festival will take place Thursday through Sunday, June
8-11, in Downtown Nashville and tickets are available now. To order
tickets for the 2006 CMA Music Festival 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. Ticket
prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and
non-refundable.

- For the second year, the CMA Music Festival was filmed for a two-hour,
primetime television special that aired Aug. 2 on the ABC Television
Network. The special was produced by Robert Deaton and directed by
Gary Halvorson.

CMA Awards
Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)

- "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)" took a trip outside of Nashville
for the first time in history. The gala event, hosted by duo Brooks &
Dunn, was broadcast live from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
A week of events, dubbed "Country Takes NYC," lead up to the Nov. 15
broadcast with special theme days that featured concerts, fashion
shows, art gallery openings, sports events and more.

- "The 39th Annual CMA Awards" took a bite out of the Big Apple and the
competition, giving CBS Television network a nightly win in viewers and
key demographics. The CMA Awards was first in households (11.1/17),
viewers (17.73m), adults 18-49 (5.4/13) and adults 25-54 (6.7/15).
"The 39th Annual CMA Awards" was Tuesday's No. 1 program in households,
viewers and adults 25-54. CBS Research estimates more than 36 million
viewers watched all or part of the ceremony. CBS posted season high
Tuesday deliveries in viewers and key demographics with the Network's
best Tuesday ratings in adults 18-49 since May 10, 2005 and its best
Tuesday performance in viewers and adults 25-54 since Nov. 9, 2004
(also the CMA Awards).

- Lee Ann Womack and Keith Urban were the big winners at the 2005 CMA
Awards. Womack won Single, Album and Musical Event of the Year honors
and Urban received his first Entertainer of the Year trophy and his
second consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year Award. Gretchen Wilson
won her first Female Vocalist of the Year Award and Dierks Bentley took
home the Horizon Award. During the broadcast, Alabama, the late DeFord
Bailey and Glen Campbell were formally inducted into the Country Music
Hall of Fame.

- With 23 performances, the 2005 CMA Awards certainly lived up to its
reputation as "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)." Performance
highlights included duets by Elton John and Dolly Parton; Paul Simon
and Willie Nelson (accompanied by Norah Jones); and Bon
Jovi with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Country superstar Garth
Brooks came out of retirement to perform "Good Ride Cowboy," his
tribute to the late Chris LeDoux, live in Times Square. LeDoux
received the CMA Chairman's Award of Merit. CMA Board Chairman Kix
Brooks presented the Award LeDoux's sons backstage following the show.

- For the first time, Joan and Melissa Rivers covered arrivals on the CMA
Awards Red Carpet live on the TV Guide Channel.

- CMA and the ABC Television Network announced in 2005 that the CMA
Awards will move to ABC beginning in November 2006, as the CMA Awards
celebrates its 40th Anniversary. "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" will be
broadcast live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville,
Tenn. The deal will keep the CMA Awards on ABC through 2012.

Country Radio
- Country radio is still on top as the most dominant radio genre in 2005
with 2,043 stations across the U.S., according to Inside Radio/M
Street.

- For the Spring and Summer ratings period, Country stations had the
largest share of national listeners 12 and older since Fall 1999,
according to Arbitron's American Radio Listening Trends Format Report.

- Billboard's Top Five Hot Country Songs included: No. 1-Craig Morgan,
"That's What I Love About Sunday;" No. 2-Toby Keith, "As Good As I Once
Was;" No. 3-Rascal Flatts, "Bless The Broken Road;" No. 4-Sugarland,
"Something More;" No. 5-Rascal Flatts, "Fast Cars And Freedom."

- Radio & Records' Most Heard of 2005 included: No. 1-Craig Morgan,
"That's What I Love About Sunday;" No 2-Rascal Flatts, "Bless The
Broken Road;" No. 3-Josh Gracin, "Nothin' To Lose;" No. 4-Sugarland,
"Baby Girl;" No. 5-Rascal Flatts, "Fast Cars and Freedom."

Television

- Kenny Chesney and Faith Hill had concert specials on the day before
Thanksgiving, though on different networks and different time slots.
"Kenny Chesney: Somewhere in the Sun" aired on ABC and helped the
network to a second place finish for the night with a 5.2/9
rating/share. "Faith Hill: Fireflies" pulled 4.4/7 rating/share for
NBC. Willie Nelson and Big & Rich performed for American troops
overseas on the ABC special "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty" with Nick
Lachey and Jessica Simpson. Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Cowboy
Troy celebrated Independence Day on the "Boston Pops Fireworks
Spectacular" on CBS. Trace Adkins saluted America's veterans on PBS'
"National Memorial Day Concert." Carrie Underwood performed on NBC's
"Christmas at Rockefeller Center." CBS aired a special dedicated to the
late Johnny Cash, "I Walk the Line: A Night For Johnny Cash," which
included performances by Sheryl Crow, Foo Fighters, Shooter Jennings
and Jessi Colter, Norah Jones, Kid Rock, Alison Krauss, Kris
Kristofferson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, U2 and
Dwight Yoakam. Gretchen Wilson performed with her hero Charlie Daniels
on the Super Bowl pre-show entitled "Bridging the Generations." Blake
Shelton played himself and performed his hit single "Nobody But Me" on
the CBS movie special "The Christmas Blessing." Sugarland rang in the
New Year on NBC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." Josh Gracin
and SHeDAISY performed on NBC's "Capital One Holiday Celebration on
Ice." Billy Ray Cyrus starred alongside his daughter in the Disney
Channel movie "Hannah Montana." Josh Gracin, SHeDAISY and Rhonda
Vincent performed on the Christmas-themed "Capital One Holiday
Celebration on Ice" on NBC. Lonestar performed on "The 22nd Annual
Christmas Day Parade" on ABC.

- Country Music was represented in a big way on the two top-rated morning
shows in the nation. Julie Roberts recorded the theme song "Good To
Go" and appeared in the promos for ABC's "Good Morning America." Phil
Vassar's song "Live For Today" was used on NBC's "Today" for its
special series Live For Today that aired in May.

- Hank Williams Jr. celebrated his 16th and final year singing the theme
song for ABC's "Monday Night Football." Tim McGraw inked another
season-long deal with the football program to use McGraw's popular song
"I Like It, I Love It."

- Reality shows dominated the airwaves in 2005 and Country artists had
their fair share of appearances. Rascal Flatts appeared on "American
Idol" on FOX to sing "Bless the Broken Road" with eventual winner
Carrie Underwood, making them the first Country act to appear on the
popular series. LeAnn Rimes took over hosting duties for USA Network's
third season of "Nashville Star" with Phil Vassar, Bret Michaels and
Anastasia Brown as judges. Winner Erika Jo released her debut album on
Universal South Records. Fans got to see behind the scenes of two of
Country's hottest acts, Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich, in CMT's
"MuzikMafia TV." Amy Grant hosted "Three Wishes," a new show on NBC
that grants wishes to deserving people. New group Ryan Shupe & the
RubberBand's song "Dream Big" was featured in promos for "Three Wishes"
and Craig Morgan performed on an episode. Tanya Tucker starred in her
own reality show "Tuckerville" on TLC. Aaron Tippin appeared on TLC's
"Trading Spaces." Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Mark Wills and Trisha
Yearwood each taped episodes on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
LeAnn Rimes performed the theme song and appeared on an episode of
GSN's equestrian challenge "American Dream Derby." Naomi Judd signed
on as host of "Naomi's New Morning," a weekly variety series on the
Hallmark Channel.

- Some Country stars showed off their humorous sides in sitcoms in 2005.
Wynonna played a New York socialite in ABC's "Hope & Faith" and Dolly
Parton appeared as a real estate agent in "Reba" on The WB. Montgomery
Gentry, Trace Adkins and Van Zant made cameos on The WB's "Blue Collar
TV." Adkins also appeared as himself on NBC's "My Name Is Earl."
Clint Black guest starred on an episode of ABC's "Hot Properties."

- Kids shows had a Country sound with Alison Krauss and Union Station
visiting "Sesame Street" and Trace Adkins guest starring on The Disney
Channel's "Higglytown Heroes."

- Charity always brings out Country's biggest hearts. Faith Hill, Tim
McGraw, Keith Urban and Toby Keith were part of Bob Geldoff's multi-
city "Live 8" benefit concerts to raise awareness about global poverty.

- Big & Rich appeared on the NBC drama "Las Vegas." In the soap opera
department, Blue County appeared on "As the World Turns" and Trick Pony
took a turn on "Days of our Lives."

Commercials / Advertisements / Business Ventures

- Country artists are throwing their hats into the clothing arena. Reba
McEntire teamed up with Dillard's to launch her own clothing line aptly
called Reba. George Strait lent his name to Wrangler for a line of
jeans and shirts called The George Strait Collection. Keith Urban
joined pop stars Joss Stone and Liz Phair for a GAP jeans ad campaign
called "Favorites." Urban also recorded his song "Most People I Know
Think I'm Crazy" for television ads and an exclusive CD only available
in GAP stores. Carrie Underwood appeared in print ads for Sketchers
shoes.

- Martina McBride and LeAnn Rimes were immortalized in plastic when
Mattel introduced a line of Barbie dolls sculpted in the Country
ladies' images.

- Phil Vassar appeared in commercials for Prilosec OTC. "American Idol"
winner Carrie Underwood appeared in a series of commercials for
Hershey's, singing classic jingles. Gretchen Wilson signed a huge
endorsement deal with Chevy to appear in commercials nationwide. Garth
Brooks and Martina McBride appeared in holiday-themed commercials for
Wal-Mart. Brooks inked a deal earlier in the year to distribute his
music exclusively through Wal-Mart, which included a limited edition
box set of Brooks' music. Target featured commercials for holiday
wake-up calls from Brad Paisley and other celebrities. Charlie
Daniels, Sara Evans and Alison Krauss teamed up with Cracker Barrel Old
Country Stores to distribute exclusive CDs only available in Cracker
Barrel stores. Martina McBride teamed up with Hallmark Gold Crown
Stores to distribute the exclusive CD My Heart. Toby Keith continued
to appear in Ford truck commercials.

- Country was the music of choice for companies connecting to their
audiences. Terri Clark recorded a new song, "Better In A Dodge," for
Dodge truck commercials. Trent Willmon's "Home Sweet Holiday Inn" was
used by the hotel chain for its television ads. Joe Diffie rerecorded
his hit "Pickup Man" for Applebee's Carside-To-Go advertising campaign.
Darryl Worley recorded a new song, "I Found Love In A K-Mart Store" for
the retailer's television ads. Collin Raye was the singing voice for
one of the Fruit of the Loom characters in the garment maker's
commercials.

- Investment opportunities for Country artists continued to grow in 2005.
Toby Keith opened I Love This Bar & Grill restaurants in Las Vegas and
Oklahoma City and also introduced his own line of marinades and spices.
Keith also started his own record label Show Dog Records, which will
distribute Keith's music as well as other Country acts. John Michael
Montgomery also opened a restaurant, John Michael's Hometown Bar &
Grill in Nicholasville, Ky. Willie Nelson started a company called
Willie Nelson's Biodiesel that will market a new environmentally
friendly truck and bus fuel made from vegetable oils. Tim McGraw
became part owner of Arena Football League team the Nashville Kats and
appeared in local commercials for the team. Darryl Worley opened
Darryl Worley Home Furnishings in Enterprise, Ala., selling flooring,
furniture, appliances and more. Neal McCoy started his own record
label, 903 Music. Marty Stuart also delved into the record label
business, opening Superlatone Records.

- Corporate sponsors lined up to sign Country stars to endorsement deals
in 2005. Shania Twain released a new fragrance, Shania by Stetson.
Trace Adkins teamed up with Waffle House restaurants for a multi-city
contest where fans got to meet Adkins at a local Waffle House where he
shared his favorite meal and even flipped an egg or two. Steve Azar
signed a deal with ExxonMobil to sponsor his tour through 2006. Sonny
Burgess signed endorsement deals with Bailey Hats and Wrangler. Swiss
watch company Tissot signed Brad Paisley to expand awareness of its
line of sports watches in the U.S. Dorfman Pacific and the Milano Hat
Company signed Toby Keith to a three-year deal for a signature line of
headwear.

Motion Pictures

- The silver screen saw the return of a redheaded stranger when Willie
Nelson played Uncle Jesse in the big screen version of "Dukes of
Hazzard," also starring Jessica Simpson, Burt Reynolds and Johnny
Knoxville. Junior Brown narrated the movie. Tim McGraw signed on to
star in a remake of "My Friend Flicka" while his acting debut in the
Rick Schroder film "Black Cloud" was released nationally in 2005. Dolly
Parton made a cameo playing herself in "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and
Fabulous" with Sandra Bullock. "Walk the Line," a biopic about the
early years of Johnny Cash and June Carter starred Joaquin Phoenix and
Reese Witherspoon and co-starred Country artists Shelby Lynne as Cash's
mother, Shooter Jennings as his young father Waylon Jennings, and
Waylon Payne as Jerry Lee Lewis. Kris Kristofferson starred in
"Dreamer: Inspired By A True Story," also starring Dakota Fanning and
Kurt Russell and "The Jacket," starring Adrian Brody and Keira
Knightly. Dwight Yoakam starred in the Tommy Lee Jones-directed "The
Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" and had a short cameo in "The
Wedding Crashers." Mark Collie continued to add to his acting credits,
appearing in "Lost Lake." Deans Sams of Lonestar appeared in his first
independent film, "Drone Virus." Blake Shelton will appear in the
upcoming movie "The Red Knot."

Musicals and Plays

- The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. and CMA brought
Broadway's elite together with some of Country Music's biggest stars
for "Broadway Meets Country" at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of
Jazz at Lincoln Center during "Country Takes NYC" week leading up to
the 2005 CMA Awards. Performers included Broadway's Jason Danieley,
Renee Elise Goldsberry, Adriane Lenox, Marin Mazzie, Andrea McArdle,
Brian Stokes Mitchell, James Naughton, Marian Seldes, Ben Vereen and
Patrick Wilson. Country stars included Trace Adkins, Glen Campbell,
Billy Currington, Raul Malo, Neal McCoy, Richie McDonald of Lonestar,
Jamie O'Neal, Julie Roberts, Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack and
Trisha Yearwood.

- Dolly Parton is planning her first musical on Broadway, an adaptation
of the hit workplace satire "9 to 5." Parton is writing 10 new songs
for the musical, but will not appear onstage. "Ring of Fire," a
musical about the life of Johnny Cash, is set to begin on Broadway in
2006 and stars Lari White. Carlene Carter starred in the Nashville and
New York productions of "Wildwood Flowers," a musical about the
original Carter Family. Billy Ray Cyrus played Frank Butler in a
Toronto production of "Annie Get Your Gun." Billy Currington joined a
star-studded collection of performers taking part in the fourth annual
"Broadway Under The Stars" event, which marked the start of New York
City's summer outdoor cultural season. Sherrie Austin starred in
Broadway's "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde." Mandy Barnett, Kathy
Mattea, Jeannie Seely and Pam Tillis appeared in a Nashville production
of the off-Broadway play "The Vagina Monologues."

Armed Forces Shows

- The Grand Ole Opry partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense's
"America Supports You," a nationwide program to showcase and
communicate America's support to the men and women in the armed forces.
Through the partnership, "Grand Ole Opry Live" was made available to
troops around the world through the Armed Services Network.

- "The Spirit of America Tour" featured more than 20 shows with artists
including the Oak Ridge Boys, Miranda Lambert, the Charlie Daniels
Band, Pam Tillis, Buddy Jewell, Cowboy Crush, The Bellamy Brothers,
Little Texas, Dierks Bentley, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Joe Diffie and
more performing for U.S. troops stations overseas.

- Stars for Stripes events took celebrity entertainment into the remote
areas to perform for the troops. Participants this year included
Bellamy Brothers, Charlie Daniels, Jolie Edwards, Aaron Tippin, Trick
Pony, Mark Wills and Chely Wright and more.

- Ty England, Toby Keith, Neal McCoy and Rascal Flatts participated in
USO Tours this year.

- Clint Black performed a special concert for the troops stationed at
Fort Campbell, Ky. and was made an Honorary Member Of The 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Screaming Eagles.
Craig Morgan and Keni Thomas performed at the first annual "America
Supports You" concert in Washington, D.C. Former U.S. soldier Bobby
Pinson performed at military bases in Texas and North Carolina. Josh
Gracin performed at Washington, D.C.'s Ford Theater in a special that
honored American troops. Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Luke
Stricklin performed at various military bases throughout the country.

- The American Freedom Festival, organized by the American Freedom
Foundation Inc. in New York on Veterans Day as part of CMA's "Country
Takes NYC" activities, featured performances by Charlie Daniels, Keni
Thomas, Mark Wills, Darryl Worley and more, raising money and awareness
for the veterans of America's armed forces and their families, whose
lives have been affected by Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation
Iraqi Freedom.

Tsunami / Hurricane Relief

On Dec. 26, 2004, one of the biggest tsunamis in history killed more than 160,000 people in South Asia. People all around the world chipped in to help, including many in the Country Music community.

- Kenny Chesney performed on the NBC special "Tsunami Aid: A Concert of
Hope," with music downloads available of the performances with all
proceeds going to the Red Cross. In Nashville, Kathy Mattea and
Michael W. Smith hosted a benefit called "An Evening for Restoration:
Music City Comes Together For Tsunami Relief," which raised more than
$50,000 for World Vision. Diamond Rio, Crystal Gayle, Vince Gill, Lee
Greenwood, the Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Skaggs were among the
performers. In Texas, Pat Green, Jack Ingram and Jerry Jeff Walker
hosted a benefit. Willie Nelson's benefit concert, which featured Joe
Ely, Patty Griffin, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Bruce Robison
and Kelly Willis, was released as a CD and DVD with proceeds going to
C.A.R.E. and UNICEF.

Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States in late August 2005, killing thousands of people and displacing more than a million others from their homes in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Less than a month later, Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf again, effecting people in Texas and parts of Louisiana. Country artists and organizations sprung into action, donating money, supplies and comfort to those people whose lives were turned upside down by the disaster.

- The terrible suffering and loss left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
compelled CMA's Board of Directors to double the amount of funds
donated as part of CMA's "Cause for Celebration!" charitable benefit
program with half of the money going to The Salvation Army to aid in
the relief effort. CMA donated $200,000 to The Salvation Army on
behalf of the artists who participated in 2005 CMA Music Festival in
addition to the $200,000 earmarked to give to charities designated by
the artists.

- Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks and Trisha Yearwood performed while Reba
McEntire helped answer phones on the cross-network fundraiser "Shelter
From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast" to benefit victims of
hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast. Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and
Willie Nelson appeared on NBC's "A Concert for Hurricane Relief."
Another hurricane relief concert, "ReAct Now: Music and Relief," which
aired on CMT, MTV and VH1, featured performances by Big & Rich, Emmylou
Harris, Alan Jackson and Sugarland.

- Faith Hill visited Gulfport, Miss., one of the hardest hit areas from
Hurricane Katrina, to help distribute supplies that she bought for
victims. Jo Dee Messina and her band loaded supplies in their tour
trucks and drove down to Louisiana to unload relief supplies and food.
Brooks & Dunn sent two of their semi trucks down to Jackson, Miss.,
loaded with relief supplies. Charley Pride directly helped 40 families
displaced by Hurricane Katrina by buying them everyday necessities.

- Darryl Worley contributed $50,000 from the proceeds of his annual
"Tennessee River Run" to the American Red Cross. Lane Brody included
animal victims of the hurricanes as beneficiaries from her annual
benefit for Walden's Puddle. Montgomery Gentry urged their fans to
contribute all they could to help hurricane victims and even donated
all of the proceeds from fan club memberships to the Red Cross. Keith
Urban donated proceeds from the theater events at 85 screens nationwide
of his "Livin' Right Now" concert DVD to the Red Cross. Travis Tritt
donated $10,000 from his performance at the Silver Star Casino to
hurricane victims. The Recording Academy's MusiCares Foundation
pledged an initial donation of $1 million to help musicians whose lives
were uprooted by Hurricane Katrina. Cupit Records set up a Web site
for people to contribute funds to specific families in need. Hank
Williams, Jr. donated $125,000 from a concert at Pearl River Resort to
hurricane relief efforts in Biloxi, Miss. Aaron Tippin urged his fans
to give generously to hurricane victims at his concerts and gave all
donated monies to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. Alan Jackson donated
proceeds from several of his concerts to Katrina relief organizations.
Jeff Bates donated $25,000 from a benefit concert in Mississippi to the
Salvation Army. Broken Bow Records donated $1 from each CD sold on
their imprint through the end of 2005 to the Red Cross. Farm Aid,
headed by Willie Nelson, raised money for the Family Farm Disaster Fund
to aid farmers in the hardest hit areas get their lives back together.

- The Grand Ole Opry hosted "Country Reaches Out: An Opry Benefit for the
American Red Cross" live on GAC with performers including Terri Clark,
Billy Currington, Little Jimmy Dickens, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss,
Craig Morgan, LeAnn Rimes, Julie Roberts, Marty Stuart, Keith Urban,
and more. Phil Vassar and Shelly Fairchild performed at "One Country,
One Night" for the Red Cross in Kansas City. Buddy Jewell performed a
benefit concert at Sam's Town Casino in Tunica, Miss. with proceeds
going to the Central Mississippi chapter of the Red Cross. Carrie
Underwood headlined a benefit concert with her "American Idol"
castmates with proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise going to the
Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States to help pets
stranded in the disaster. The Music City Jam, held at the Expo Center
at Music Valley Drive in Nashville, raised nearly $5,000 for the
Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief Center with performers including
Cowboy Crush, Todd Fritsch, Hilljack, Daniel Lee Martin, Lila McCann,
Kevin Sharp and more. Alabama performed a free concert in their native
state for all evacuees from the storm. Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich
added a date to their tour with all proceeds going to victims.

Accolades

- Dierks Bentley was surprised at a show in California by Marty Stuart
who told Bentley that he was being inducted as the newest, and
youngest, member of the Grand Ole Opry. Country Music Hall of Fame
member Dolly Parton received the National Medal of Arts from President
George W. Bush. Shania Twain received Canada's highest civilian honor,
the Order of Canada, which was established to recognize the lifetime
contributions made by Canadians who made a major difference to Canada

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/
http://www.cmaawards.com/
http://www.riaa.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, visit CMA on the internet at www.CMAworld.com; www.CMAfest.com (CMA Music Festival); www.CMAawards.com (CMA Awards). For high-resolution, downloadable photos from CMA events that aid your coverage of this news, visit www.CMApress.com, a password-protected, non-public site for media representatives.

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