ABC Hosts Annual Block Party at CMA Music Festival in Nashville

ABC Hosts Annual Block Party at CMA Music Festival in Nashville

The Party Extended to Two Days June 12-13; ABC's "Wipeout" Obstacle Course Added

Hosted by Cameron Mathison with Appearances and Performances by Fellow ABC Daytime Stars Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Kathy Brier, Kassie DePavia, Bobbie Eakes, Rebecca Herbst, Thorsten Kaye, Kimberly McCullough, Greg Vaughan, Bree Williamson, Laura Wright, and Country Stars Sarah Buxton, Caitlin & Will, and Love and Theft

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- How do you top the one-day ABC All Star Block Party, a hit at the 2008 CMA Music Festival? Simple: You make it twice as long and pack it with even more music, celebrities and activities during 2009 CMA Music Festival, June 11-14 in Nashville.

"Why not?" asked Michael Benson, Executive VP, Marketing, ABC Entertainment. "The fans enjoy it. We find a lot of benefit in it. Besides, we love our partnership with CMA and Nashville. That's why we want to do more every year, spend more time and be more involved."

"We really love including our wonderful network partner ABC in the Festival," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "The fans really enjoy seeing the stars and attending the ABC Block Party, which has quickly become a 'must do' activity for our attendees. They know when ABC is involved they are going to have a great time."

Called "the country's premiere Country Music festival, in the country's premiere Country Music town," by the New York Times, the Festival is taped for a summer special "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," airing Monday, Aug. 31 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC.

Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 12-13, the ABC Block Party, hosted by Cameron Mathison ("Ryan Lavery" on "All My Children"), promises entertainment for all ages. Held at the Hall of Fame Park (adjacent to Fifth Avenue between Broadway and Demonbreun), kids, along with more daring adults, can check out the two "Wipeout" obstacle courses. This fun-filled landscape somewhat tones down the challenges posed on the popular ABC "Wipeout" reality program, but hilarious (and painless) pratfalls, slips - in a word, wipeouts - are just as likely in this area next to the Dr Pepper(R)-McDonald's(R) Family Zone.

There will be plenty of music too, courtesy of the Divas of Daytime: Kathy Brier and Kassie DePaiva ("Marcie McBain" and "Blair McBain," respectively, from "One Life to Live"), and Bobbie Eakes ("Krystal Carey" on "All My Children"), who are making their Nashville debut as a trio. In addition to performing Country and Southern rock favorites at the ABC Block Party Friday and Saturday, they will perform at a Saturday breakfast show at B. B. King's Blues Club, as well as an unplugged in the Durango(R) Acoustic Corner inside the Greased Lightning(R) Fan Fair(R) Hall.

The Divas will also sign autographs, sit for Q&A sessions and mingle with fans at the ABC Block Party, along with their fellow ABC Daytime stars Bree Williamson ("Jessica Brennan" on "One Life to Live"); Thorsten Kaye ("Zach Slater" on "All My Children"); and Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Kimberly McCullough, Greg Vaughan, Laura Wright, and Rebecca Herbst ("Damian Spinelli," "Johnny Zacchara," "Robin Scorpio," "Lucky Spencer," "Carly Corinthos Jacks," and "Elizabeth Webber" respectively, on "General Hospital").

There will be special musical performances by several up-and-coming Country artists including Love and Theft, and Caitlin & Will (Friday, June 12) and Sarah Buxton (Saturday, June 13).

Beyond all that, the ABC Block Party will offer trivia contests (including one that pits experts on "Grey's Anatomy" against specialists in "General Hospital"), Country line-dance lessons, a photo booth where people can take away a souvenir 4X6 photo from the ABC All Star Block Party, and more. ABC-branded souvenirs will be given away, including beach towels, cowboy hats, gift baskets, sunscreen and T-shirts. As a further respite from the anticipated heat, the network will distribute free snow cones.

"It's all about making sure that visitors to the Block Party feel like they're part of the network," added Marla Provencio, Executive VP, Marketing, ABC Entertainment. "Coming to CMA Music Festival allows us to deepen our engagement with potential viewers and strengthen our relationship with current fans of our shows."

The three-hour ABC special is a primetime postcard of all the best Festival concert performances and behind-the-scenes stories with Country Music superstars. This is the fifth 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. Last year more than 52,000 fans a day representing every state and 26 foreign territories attended CMA Music Festival, the event's biggest turnout yet.

To order four day ticket packages, call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form that can be faxed or mailed in; 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 and participating artists are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable. For up-to-the-minute information about CMA Music Festival tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com.

About ABC Daytime: ABC Daytime, which remains number one among all broadcast networks in the key women 18-49 demographic, produces 1,000 hours of original television a year, with four network-owned daytime programs including "The View," now in its 11th season, as well as the popular daytime dramas "All My Children," "One Life to Live," and "General Hospital."

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(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. CMA Music Festival(R) and Fan Fair(R) are registered trademarks of CMA.

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl, +1-615-244-2840, Scott Stem, +1-615-244-2840, both
of CMA; Jori Peterson of ABC, +1-818-460-7736

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

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

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