Billy Ray Cyrus Added to 2007 CMA Music Festival Nightly Concerts at LP Field

Billy Ray Cyrus Added to 2007 CMA Music Festival Nightly Concerts at LP Field

Acoustic Performances by Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, and 'Nashville Star' Winner Angela Hacker Added to Star-Studded Lineup

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Nightly Concerts at LP Field are a music lover's dream featuring surprise guests, many of the biggest names in Country Music, and some of the hottest, rising stars.

Today, Billy Ray Cyrus was added to the growing list, which includes Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Currington, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Jo Dee Messina, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, and The Wreckers.

A multi-Platinum-selling artist, Cyrus currently co-stars with his daughter Miley Cyrus on the hit Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana." Recently he appeared on ABC's hit show "Dancing With The Stars" and became a semi-finalist in the competition, due largely to the support of his ever- growing fan base. Cyrus is set to release his Walt Disney Records debut album Home at Last -- featuring a combination of poignant original songs and timeless classics -- on July 24.

Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, and "Nashville Star" winner Angela Hacker have been added to the concerts. Each will perform a two-song acoustic set: Carroll on Thursday, June 7, Covington on Friday, June 8, Hacker on Saturday, June 9. Artists and schedule subject to change.

Carroll's first Arista Nashville album, Waitin' in the Country, was released in February and debuted at No 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. Of the album's 11 tracks, the North Carolina native wrote or co-wrote five cuts including his first single "Alyssa Lies," a poignant portrait of child abuse that was a Top 5 on the Billboard Singles chart. The song set another record, entering Billboard's Digital Song chart with 13,857 purchased downloads -- the highest Country new-artist debut sales in the chart's history. His current single, "Livin' Our Love Song," released in April, is No. 26 on airplay charts.

A former finalist on "American Idol," Covington's self-titled album debuted at No. 1 on Nielsen SoundScan's Country Top 75 chart and No. 4 on the all-genre Top 200 chart and sold more than 100,000 units in its first three weeks of release. His debut single, "A Different World," is already a Top 20 hit as it quickly climbs the Country radio charts.

Hacker grew up in Muscle Shoals, Ala., and made her musical debut in a school talent contest. She won and 16 years later, Hacker claimed top honors again on the fifth season of the USA Network program "Nashville Star." She released her self-titled debut in April.

"We are always exploring new ways to incorporate developing artists into the stadium shows at LP Field," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "The opportunity gives them enormous exposure in front of an enthusiastic audience of Country Music's most ardent fans."

Pre-show festivities at LP field begin Thursday, June 7 (7:30 PM/CT) and include the presentation of the Stars and Stripes by the United States Marine Corps Recruiting Station Nashville Color Guard.

The Nightly Concerts at LP Field begin each night at 8:00 PM/CT, featuring state-of-the-art production and fireworks at the conclusion of each night's show. Fans have the opportunity to get up close to the stage and take photos in the constantly circulating CMA Photo Line.

A limited number of tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are on sale for $40 for reserved seats and $30 for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field (plus applicable handling fees) by visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com/ to buy online; or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600 or 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378).

A limited amount of on-site, pay parking ($10 per vehicle) will be available nightly at LP Field in Lots E & F, just across the Woodland Street Bridge. This parking lot is not available for pre-purchase. It is available for purchase on-site on a first-come, first-serve basis after 5:00 PM on Thursday and Friday (June 7-8) and all day Saturday and Sunday (June 9-10). Ample paid surface lots and parking garages are also available in Downtown Nashville, conveniently accessible to LP Field via the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.

Source: Country Music Association

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: For information, logos and downloadable photos, visit our media-only website, www.CMApress.com

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