ABC Invites You to Summer's Hottest Music Event, 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock'

ABC Invites You to Summer's Hottest Music Event, 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock'

***MEDIA ALERT*** LADY ANTEBELLUM OMITTED FROM YESTERDAY'S RELEASE

Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and Julianne Hough Host

Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam Perform

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC heads to Nashville to take you to the hottest music event, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock." Reigning CMA Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift, former "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler and Country Music Star/"Dancing with the Stars" champion Julianne Hough host the special airing Monday, September 8 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Filmed in Nashville June 5-8, the special features performances by some of today's most exciting Country Music sensations in a four-day party and music celebration: Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam.

In addition to exciting, never-before-televised music performances, viewers will also get the ultimate Country Music fan experience firsthand. In exclusively shot segments for the special, the cameras capture the Festival's behind the scenes moments between the artist and their fans and follow the stories of several passionate Country Music fans at the festival. Bucky Covington acts as tour guide around the massive CMA Music Festival and shows the festival experience through his eyes. John Rich of Big & Rich tells us how Gretchen Wilson went from bartender to singer at Nashville's legendary honky tonks, while Taylor Swift sings in an impromptu street performance and signs autographs at the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall. Meanwhile, certain fans are surprised to learn that they've been chosen for a "lucky day" meet and greet with their favorite Country star; Kellie Pickler spends some time with Nick Manciero from Bethany, Conn., Rob Levasseur from East Hartford, Conn. and Dan Orlowski from Woodbridge, Conn.; Faith Hill surprises her biggest fans Juliette Warren and David Newton from Australia and Keith Urban meets Alex Hamel, Stephanie Hayward, and Cara Corbett from Toledo, Ohio. Finally, Sarah and Elizabeth Marince, two young aspiring artists from Pittsburgh, Penn., take a trip with Julianne Hough to her recording studio, which turns into a "girl's day out" for the three of them.

The annual music festival is unlike any other, with four days, 30 hours of autograph signings by Country Music's biggest names and up and comers, 100 hours of live music, more than 400 artists and celebrities, and a party list of thousands of avid, singing and dancing-till-dawn fans. This is the fourth time ABC will broadcast this special -- which invites the whole country to America's biggest Country Music bash -- since the original Fan Fair(R) was launched in 1972. This year 208,000 fans attended CMA Music Festival, its biggest turnout yet.

"CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" is executive produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson. The 2008 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" was shot in high definition and will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Country Music Association

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

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, media outlets should visit www.CMApress.com. The site contains information and downloadable photos for media use only. The site is password protected and not meant for public use. The public should be directed to www.CMAfest.com.

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