'Good Morning America's' Sam Champion to Report Live From Nashville, Giving Viewers a Preview of 2007 CMA Music Festival on Thursday, June 7

'Good Morning America's' Sam Champion to Report Live From Nashville, Giving Viewers a Preview of 2007 CMA Music Festival on Thursday, June 7

Artist Guests Include Bucky Covington and The Wreckers

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- "Good Morning America's" Weather Anchor Sam Champion will report live from Nashville, Thursday, June 7, giving viewers a front-row seat for CMA Music Festival, a four-day musical lovefest between Country Music artists and their fans.

Champion will be joined by Country artists Bucky Covington and The Wreckers from the third-floor, rooftop patio at Graham Central Station, which overlooks CMA Music Festival's concert venues Greased Lightning(R) Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park and LP Field, home of the nightly stadium concerts.

"Music and the relationship between the artists and the fans is a cornerstone of this event for the past 36 years and we are thrilled to be sharing that with 'Good Morning America's' viewers," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese.

A former finalist on "American Idol," Covington's self-titled Lyric Street 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. His debut single, "A Different World," is already a Top 20 hit as it quickly climbs the Country radio charts.

The Wreckers, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp, enjoyed early success with their debut single, the No. 1 hit "Leave The Pieces" from their nearing Platinum status debut album Stand Still -- Look Pretty. The duo's current chart-climbing single is "Tennessee."

ABC News' "Good Morning America" is anchored by Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts. Chris Cuomo is the News Anchor and Sam Champion is the Weather Anchor. The morning news program airs live Monday through Friday from 7:00- 9:00 AM/EDT on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the Senior Executive Producer and Tom Cibrowski is the Executive Producer of ABC News' "Good Morning America."

Now in its 36th year, CMA Music Festival will be held on Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, in Downtown Nashville. Dubbed the "crown jewel of Country Music Festivals" by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association's 2006 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year, the event features four jam-packed days of music with more than 400 artists and celebrities, 70 hours of concerts, 30 hours of autograph signings, family activities, celebrity sports competitions, and much more.

To order tickets for the 2007 CMA Music Festival call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit http://www.cmafest.com/ to download an order form to fax or mail; visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/ to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600.

Once again in 2007, the four-day celebration of America's music will be filmed for a two-hour, ABC Network Television special. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" will air Monday, July 23 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET).

In addition to high energy, never before televised concert performances, viewers will also experience the Festival's unique bond between the Country Music artists and their fans. Taped exclusively for the special, cameras will follow the stories of several passionate Country Music fans who will have their dreams come true when they are granted a surprise, once-in-a-lifetime meeting and personal encounter with their favorite Country Music stars.

"CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" is executive-produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association.

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; or Bridgette Maney of GMA, +1-212-456-5902

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

-------
Profile: intent