ABC Television Network To Air CMA Music Festival Special

ABC Television Network To Air CMA Music Festival Special

"CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party" Will Be Celebrated By Viewers Nationwide In Two-Hour, Primetime Special Monday, July 24

Brooks & Dunn, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Hank Williams Jr., And Wynonna Scheduled To Appear

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Country Music's hottest party of the summer - CMA Music Festival - is bound to be television's hottest summer special when "CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party" airs Monday, July 24 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"If you love great music, the high-wattage energy of a stadium concert, and behind-the-scenes stories that will melt your heart and affirm everything that is wonderful about Country Music, then this is the TV special for you," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "This is a celebration of America's music on America's favorite network, and it is not to be missed."

"At ABC we're always looking to raise the bar in great music programming and this year's CMA Music Festival has it all: red hot music performances, the most passionate fans, and the most exciting Country Music artists in the world, all with the non-stop festive backdrop of Nashville," said Andrea Wong, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "We're thrilled to present this unique and fun special to television viewers this summer."

The special will be taped Thursday through Sunday, June 8-11, during CMA Music Festival in Nashville. The annual Festival, which began in 1972 as Fan Fair(R), is a one-of-a-kind celebration of Country Music with 40 hours of autograph signings, 70 hours of concerts, more than 400 artists and celebrities, and a party list of 145,000 screaming, singing, picture-snapping, dance-till-dawn fans.

Several of today's top hit makers are already scheduled to appear on the special including Brooks & Dunn, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Hank Williams Jr., and Wynonna, with more artists to be announced soon. This is the second time ABC will broadcast this special, which invites the whole country to America's biggest Country Music bash.

"The fans and their relationship with the artists and their passion for the music is the cornerstone of the Festival," said Genovese. "That relationship and our artists' ability to deliver an unbeatable stage performance is what sets this special apart. It is a terrific platform for reaching music enthusiasts with a front-row seat to some of today's most dynamic entertainers."

Both the concerts and the interaction between the artists and fans will be captured in the special with heart-pounding performances interspersed with heart-warming encounters between the artists and their avid admirers. Taped exclusively for the special, cameras will follow the stories of several festival attendees, who will have their dreams come true when they are granted a surprise, one-in-a-lifetime meeting and personal encounter with their favorite Country stars.

The special is a CMA production. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer. Gary Halvorson is the Director.

If fans want to experience the excitement of CMA Music Festival firsthand, tickets are still available. 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. Single-night tickets for the concerts at The Coliseum are also available.

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(R) Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Wrangler(R) Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) featuring the Acoustic Corner; Family Zone; Crisco(R) 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 start at $125 for adults; $86 for children ages 4-14; and children 3 years and younger admitted free, and 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.

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(R), Greased Lightning(R) and Wrangler(R). Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA.

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl or Scott Stem of CMA, +1-615-244-2840; or Mozell
Miley of ABC-NY, +1-212-456-6444

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: For information, downloadable logos and photos of CMA Music Festival, visit our media Web site CMApress.com. The site is password protected and not meant for public use.

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