Sugarland, Clint Black and Craig Morgan to Perform at CMA Music Festival During Nightly Concerts at the Coliseum

Sugarland, Clint Black and Craig Morgan to Perform at CMA Music Festival During Nightly Concerts at the Coliseum

Jeff Bates, Earl Thomas Conley, Jack Ingram And Sammy Kershaw Among Artists Added To Daily Concerts at Greased Lightning Riverfront Stages

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CMA Music Festival celebrates its 35th year in 2006 on Thursday through Sunday, June 8-11, in Downtown Nashville, Tenn. Named "the crown jewel of Country Music festivals" by USA Today, the event features four jam-packed days filled with 70 hours of live music; 30 hours of autograph signings; family activities; celebrity sports competitions; and much more.

Four-time CMA Award winner Clint Black, double Platinum-selling group Sugarland and 2006 USO Merit Award winner Craig Morgan are now confirmed as part of the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum.

Previously announced artists performing at The Coliseum include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Gary Allan, Brooks & Dunn, Terri Clark, Billy Currington, Sara Evans, Pat Green, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Ronnie Milsap with Los Lonely Boys, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, Brad Paisley, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and Trisha Yearwood, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Daytime Concerts on the Greased Lightning(R) Riverfront Stages are the place to enjoy great musical performances while soaking up the sun along the bank of the Cumberland River. Artists added to the lineup include Jeff Bates, Sarah Buxton, Earl Thomas Conley, Amy Dalley, Deryl Dodd, Katrina Elam, Ty England, Jack Ingram, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Sammy Kershaw, Brian McComas, Bobby Pinson, Luke Stricklin and Billy Yates, with more to be announced soon.

Performers already announced for the Daily Concerts include Rhett Akins, Jessi Alexander, Keith Anderson, Jessica Andrews, Rodney Atkins, Steve Azar, The Bellamy Brothers, BlackHawk, Blue County, Bomshel, Catherine Britt, Lane Brody, Shannon Brown, T. Graham Brown, Sonny Burgess, Tracy Byrd, Carolina Rain, Eric Church, John Corbett, Cowboy Crush, Joey Daniels, Emerson Drive, Erika Jo, Jace Everett, Jimmy Fortune, The Fox Brothers, Todd Fritsch, The Grascals, Susan Haynes, Hot Apple Pie, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Con Hunley, Buddy Jewell, Jamey Johnson, 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth winner Nick Kingswell, Blaine Larsen, Little Texas, Brice Long, The Lost Trailers, Rockie Lynne, Bobby Marquez, 2006 CMA Global Artist Award winner Jason McCoy, Ashley Monroe, Megan Mullins, David Lee Murphy, Gary Nichols, Oak Ridge Boys, Jake Owen, Shane Owens, Danielle Peck, Povertyneck Hillbillies, Jon Randall, Restless Heart, Ray Scott, Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Keni Thomas, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Aaron Tippin, Trent Tomlinson, Trick Pony, Tanya Tucker, Lane Turner, Jimmy Wayne, Bryan White, Trent Willmon, Mark Wills, Darryl Worley and Michelle Wright.

CMA Music Festival also includes celebrity autograph signings in the Wrangler(R) Fan Fair; intimate performances in the Acoustic Corner; celebrity competitions (including "The Fifth Annual Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament") in the Sports Zone; activities and demonstrations for kids of all ages in the Family Zone, Fun Zone and Crisco(R) Country Favorites Corner; special events in the clubs and venues of Downtown Nashville during CMA Music Festival After Hours(TM); in-depth, moderated panel discussions with artists at the CMA Celebrity Close Up sessions hosted by GAC television personality Lorianne Crook; and more.

All of the artists and celebrities participating in CMA Music Festival donate their time. They are not compensated for the hours they spend signing autographs and performing. In appreciation of their continued support, CMA donates half the net proceeds from the event to charity on behalf of the participating artists. To date CMA has donated more than $800,000, including $200,000 in 2005 to aid hurricane victims.

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.

Four-day ticket package categories correspond to a different level of reserved seating at The Coliseum. Four-day ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Wrangler Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) featuring the Acoustic Corner; Family Zone; Crisco Country Favorites Corner; Fun Zone; Sports Zone; CMA Music Festival After Hours; free in-town shuttles; the CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops and more. Prices, which start at $135 for adults; $95 for children ages 4-14; and children 3 years and younger admitted free, do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices and artists 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 e-news.

Once again in 2006, CMA Music Festival will be filmed for a two-hour, ABC Network Television special that will air later this summer. The special is produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson. 2006 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. Promotional partners include Crisco, Greased Lightning and Wrangler. Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA.

Source: Country Music Association

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

Web site: http://www.cmafest.com/
http://www.ticketmaster.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 2006 CMA Music Festival until the May 12 deadline.

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