CMA Celebrity Close Up Series Returns to CMA Music Festival for Fifth Consecutive Year

CMA Celebrity Close Up Series Returns to CMA Music Festival for Fifth Consecutive Year

Series Presented by Great American Country

Special Guests To Include Trace Adkins, Terri Clark and Josh Turner

Lively Question And Answer Sessions To Air On GAC

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Back by popular demand, The CMA Celebrity Close Up Series will return to CMA Music Festival for a fifth consecutive year. The sessions, which give fans an in-depth glimpse into an artist's life and personality will take place on Thursday, June 7 from 1:30- 3:15 PM/CT; and 4:00-5:30 PM/CT at the Ryman Auditorium, with GAC personality Lorianne Crook as moderator.

The first session (1:30 - 3:15 PM), will kick off with Platinum artists Trace Adkins, Terri Clark and Josh Turner sharing their unique perspectives on their careers, discussing their lives and giving a sneak peek into the future. In addition, Adkins, Clark and Turner will answer fan questions in a forum moderated by Crook. Artists for the second session (4:00-5:30 PM) will be announced soon.

Great American Country (GAC) has been named the Presenting Sponsor of The CMA Celebrity Close Up Series, which will be taped for a future television broadcast by the same name on the Country Music-themed cable network.

"The CMA Celebrity Close Up Series provides one more connection between Country Music fans and their favorite artists," said Sarah Trahern, Senior Vice President of Programming for GAC. "These conversations frequently range from humorous to poignant, even outrageous, which makes for very entertaining television."

"We are very excited to have Great American Country partner with CMA again this year to bring fans an inside look into the lives of Country artists," said Rick Murray, CMA Vice President of Strategic Marketing.

The CMA Celebrity Close Up was created to provide another avenue for artist/fan interaction - a signature element of the CMA Music Festival. The CMA Celebrity Close Up series is a separately ticketed event. Tickets are $12 in advance or $17 the day of the event. They can be purchased by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Fans can also visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or stop by the Ryman Auditorium Box Office to purchase tickets.

For up-to-the-minute information about CMA Music Festival tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit http://www.cmafest.com/ and sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news.

About Great American Country (GAC)

Great American Country is America's main street for the widest variety of Country Music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. In addition to Country Music videos, GAC features original programming, special musical performances and live concerts, and is the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. GAC is available in more than 46 million households and online at http://www.gactv.com/ .

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 Official Music & Book retailer of the CMA Music Festival. Additional promotional partners include Allstate Insurance Company, American Airlines, AT&T-Tennessee, Back Yard Burgers, BMI, Carl Black Cavender's, Chevrolet, CiCi's Pizza(R), Coca-Cola(R), Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Country Weekly, Coyote Ugly(R) Saloon, CMT(R), Crisco(R), Digital Rodeo, Dr Pepper(R), GAC, Gallo Family Vineyards, Great American Country, GEICO, Gillette Venus(R) Breeze, Grand Ole Opry, Greased Lightning Cleaning Products(R), Gibson Guitar(R), Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, Loveless Cafe, Mossy Oak Apparel, Music Festivals(R), New Holland Agriculture Equipment S.p.A., On the Run(R) at Exxon, Prilosec OTC(R), Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Shane Co., Sharpie, Super 8(R), Tennessee Education Lottery Corp(R)., TGI Fridays(R), The Sportsman Channel(R), Wrangler(R) and Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, Yankee Candle(R), EMT services are provided by Vanderbilt Sports Medicine and Vanderbilt Life Flight. 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 CMA

Web site:

http://www.cmaworld.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information, media outlets should visit www.CMApress.com. The site contains press releases and downloadable photos for media use only. Photos from CMA Music Festival events will be updated throughout the event to aid media in their coverage. The site is password protected and not meant for public use. The public should be directed to www.CMAfest.com.

-------
Profile: intent