ABC Hosts Summer's Hottest Concert Special, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," Featuring Superstar Performances

ABC Hosts Summer's Hottest Concert Special, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," Featuring Superstar Performances

Hosted for the First Time by Little Big Town, the Three-Hour Special Airs Monday, Aug. 12 on the ABC Television Network

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town willhost the summer's hottest television music event "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" airing Monday, Aug. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The three-hour special boasts a stellar lineup and will feature performances and appearances by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, the cast of "Duck Dynasty," "Nashville" star Charles Esten, Hunter Hayes, "Dancing with the Stars" champion Derek Hough, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Kip Moore, Jason Mraz, Kacey Musgraves, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Lennon and Maisy Stella of "Nashville," Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band.

Filmed June 6-9, the special features behind-the-ropes access and interviews, day-in-the life segments, late-night jams, exciting performances, and surprise collaborations. This is the 10(th) anniversary of this one-of-a-kind special, which showcases America's biggest Country Music bash.

Hosting the special for the first time, Little Big Town has been nominated for 12 CMA Awards and took home trophies in 2012 for Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year. The quartet's fifth studio album Tornado was released on Sept. 11, 2012 and debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Chart where it stayed in the No. 1 position for five consecutive weeks. The album, which is certified Gold, was produced by Jay Joyce and includes the double Platinum-selling, No. 1 hit single "Pontoon" and the follow up single and title-track "Tornado," which also reached No. 1. Their current single, "Your Side of the Bed," is quickly climbing the charts and is currently in the Top 30.

Originally started as Fan Fair® in 1972, the legendary event has featured performances by every major star in the format. What started with 5,000 fans has grown to a daily attendance of more than 80,000, representing every state and 27 foreign countries.

The primetime television special, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," debuted in 2004 as a two-hour special highlighting the Festival and Music City. The ABC

Television Network has aired the special since 2005, and expanded the program to three hours in 2009. The special will air annually on ABC through 2021.

Featuring concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more, CMA Music Festival is the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience - a four-day celebration of America's music. CMA Music Festival is a four-time winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association's LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).

The 2013 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.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet(TM) is the Official Ride of Country Music. Bud Light is the Official Beer of the CMA Music Festival. Pepsi is the Official Soft Drink of the CMA Music Festival. Transitions® Adaptive Lenses: the Official Eyewear of the CMA Music Festival. American Airlines is the Official Airline of CMA Music Festival. Bad Boy Buggies are the Official UTV of the CMA Music Festival.

SOURCE Country Music Association

Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl (CMA), (615) 244-2840; Maria Eckhardt (CMA), (615) 244-2840; Nicole Marostica (ABC), (818) 460-6783; or Bridgette Maney (ABC), (212) 456-1429

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


-------
Profile: intent