Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, and John Rich Join 2009 CMA Music Festival Lineup

Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, and John Rich Join 2009 CMA Music Festival Lineup

CMA Increases Web Presence and Offers Advance Merchandise for Sale

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating its 38th year, CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in Downtown Nashville. Over four jam-packed days, Nashville's signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. The event (which started as Fan Fair in 1972) has been an unparalleled celebration of America's music, drawing thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. CMA Music Festival was dubbed the "crown jewel of Country Music Festivals" by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association's 2004, 2006, and 2008 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year.

Performer additions to the artist lineup for 2009 CMA Music Festival are:

-- Former CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, who last performed at
the Festival in 2007.

-- Superstars Brooks & Dunn, who have won 19 CMA Awards, including CMA
Entertainer of the Year and an unprecedented 14 CMA Vocal Duo of the
Year Awards. Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn last performed at the Festival
in 2007.

-- Fan favorites and former CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Award winners
Montgomery Gentry, who return again this year.

-- Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley, who has received
a total of 11 CMA Awards thus far in his career. Paisley last
performed at the Festival in 2007.

-- Singer, songwriter, entertainer, and host of CMT's "Gone Country"
television series John Rich, who last performed at the Festival in
2007 as part of Big & Rich.

Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Paisley, and Rich will all perform on the main stage during the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT(TM) Concert Stage at LP Field, along with previously announced performers Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

"It is a pleasure to host such great entertainers at CMA Music Festival," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "We know our attendees are going to love these performances."

CMA Music Festival on the Web

The official Internet home of 2009 CMA Music Festival can be found at www.CMAfest.com, beginning tomorrow (Friday, March 20). The site will be continually updated with artist additions, performance schedule announcements, event information and more. Visitors can also check out the photo flipbooks from past Festivals, put together a playlist of songs from past performers, download wallpapers for their desktops and banners for their websites, and more. In addition, fans can also sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news to stay updated on the latest CMA event information.

Fans can also interact with their fellow Festival lovers on social networking sites by visiting the MySpace page at www.MySpace.com/cmamusicfestival and the Facebook site at www.Facebook.com/pages/Country-Music-Association/19262061270.

Ticket Information

Four-day tickets for 2009 CMA Music Festival are available now. The four-day ticket package includes the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field, exclusive access to the Greased Lightning(R) Fan Fair(R) Hall in the Nashville Convention Center, exclusive access to the Photo Lines at LP Field and Riverfront Park, exclusive access to the event shuttle between venues, and a registration bag which includes a collectible lapel pin and the 2009 souvenir program book. This is all in addition to the free areas, which include: the Riverfront Park Daytime Stage, Dr Pepper(R)-McDonald's(R) Family Zone in Hilton Park, Chevy(TM) Music

Stage at the Sommet Center, Chevy Sports Zone, Fun Zone, Music City Zone in the Public Square, the Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade, and more. To order, call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; or visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.

2009 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FOUR-DAY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES

LEVEL ADULT 12 & YOUNGER

Gold Circle (Floor) SOLD OUT N/A
Floor (Field) SOLD OUT SOLD OUT
Lower Level $155 $109
Club Level $145 $102
Upper Level: Reserved $120 $ 84
Upper Level: General Admission $110 $ 78

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. Partners include: Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music; CMT; Dr Pepper(R); Durango Boot(R); Greased Lighting(R); Great American Country (GAC); McDonald's(R); VAULT Citrus Soda; and Wrangler(R): The Exclusive Jean of the CMA Music Festival. Fan Fair(R) is a registered trademark of CMA.

Source: Country Music Association

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

Web Site: http://www.cmafest.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For information, logos and downloadable photos, visit our media-only website, www.CMApress.com. You may also register on this site for media credentials to cover activities during the 2009 CMA Music Festival.

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