© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Jewel fell in love with words at an early age. It's a love affair that continues today. "I was fascinated by words and how more can be said than what is in the actual words," the singer/songwriter said. "Being raised in such a remote region, reading was a source of entertainment. I read philosophy, the classics, poetry . I just loved it."

Growing up on a ranch in rural Alaska provided an awesome setting for this young woman as she began writing songs at 15. While most folks would consider it a hardship to live in the wilderness with no running water or indoor plumbing, Jewel embraced the lifestyle and used it as a cornerstone for her songs and art.

She learned about the craft of performing from her parents, both of whom were recording artists. By the time she was 6, she was traveling by dog sled to their shows in remote areas of the state. The 8-year-old became a duet partner with her father after her parents divorced, and by the time she was 15, she was performing solo.

During spring break from the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a private arts school in Michigan, the 16-year-old took off for two weeks to Mexico, where she performed on street corners and soaked up the culture she found there. The experience completed the picture that would inspire the singer/songwriter to pen tunes about the land, the family values she learned in Alaska and the emotions that come from experiencing life. Jewel could not have made up a background better suited to becoming a Country singer.

Her path detoured from the Country realm, though, after she moved to San Diego and through a series of circumstances found herself living in her car.

"I became homeless after I got fired from my job because I wouldn't have sex with my boss," she said. "I almost died from blood poisoning because I had bad kidneys. I fell into this bad poverty cycle, and I couldn't get out.

"It wasn't like I was an artist trying to make my dream work," she explained. "I started writing songs and performing because that would give me money so I could live. Then a radio station put a bootleg recording of mine on the radio and my first label heard it."

That label, Atlantic Records, signed Jewel close to her 19th birthday and issued her debut album, Pieces of You, in 1995. When it sold only 3,000 copies during its first nine months of release, Jewel hit the road to take her music to the people.

The people responded: A year later, she had a major hit with "Who Will Save Your Soul," a song she'd written three years earlier during her travels in Mexico. Two other singles, "You Were Meant for Me" and "Foolish Games," pushed album sales to more than 11 million units and earned Jewel acclaim as one of the major singer/songwriters of her time.

Despite her success at alternative radio, Jewel always thought that her writing fit the Country Music mold, with her chief inspirations including Merle Haggard's lyrics and Loretta Lynn's sassy songs, such as "The Pill" and "Fist City."

"When I first came around, the only opening for me was alternative radio, which was a wide-open, anything-goes kind of format," she said. "Country radio right now is an open format. You have your traditionalists like George Strait, or your pop-sounding entertainers like Rascal Flatts. It's the spirit that keeps it unified. I think any one of my songs would have been a great hit for the Country market."

Jewel's instincts about her music were justified when Merle Haggard called and asked her to sing on For the Record: 43 Legendary Hits, his 1999 compilation of No. 1 singles. "I was shocked and flattered that he knew who I was," she admitted. "I did two songs with him, 'Silver Wings' and 'That's the Way Love Goes.' Then he asked me to be on the CMA Awards show with him."

Soon Jewel was coming to Nashville on a regular basis. She talked with Atlantic about doing a Country album, but they were not open to the idea. Finally she left the label "because I felt so strongly that Country Music was home for me."

Nashville embraced her right away. She was invited to co-host USA Network's "Nashville Star" talent show in 2007. There she met John Rich of Big & Rich, who suggested they write together. At the time, Jewel had already started pulling songs together for what would become her first Country album, Perfectly Clear - and after playing some of them for Rich, he realized that the material was already in place and instead offered his services as her co-producer.

On a whim, they hired a band, with whom they cut 10 tracks in two days. "I knew exactly what I wanted this album to sound like," Jewel said. "Some of the songs date back to when I was 16 and 18. That's how long I've known about making a Country album."

Rich and Jewel, judges on the current season of "Nashville Star," now on NBC-TV, proved to be a strong match in part because of their similar thoughts about recording. "I believe in the story of the song," she said. "My ego should get out of the way and so should the producer. John cares about songwriting, so what we both did was let the song tell its story."

That was enough to persuade Rich to commit as well to Jewel. "She is one of the greatest singer/songwriters of any genre and one of the most uniquely creative people to work with in the studio," he noted. "It was a serious honor to work with someone of her caliber."

Released June 3 from The Valory Music Co., Perfectly Clear includes 11 songs, all but one of which Jewel wrote or co-wrote. Their lyrics document her continuing love for words, from the title track's wistful reference to "five years worth of kisses packed in your bag" to "Love is a Garden," on which she compares love to planting seeds in a garden that she will "feed with kisses." The sole cover, the Lisa Carver/Liz Rose-penned song "Till it Feels Like Cheating," is included because, as Jewel relates, "it sounded like a song I should have written." It has the same sensibility as "Garden," with the singer pleading, "Kiss me like we're about to sin."

Jewel strives constantly to hit the balance between the arty song that no one will ever hear and the throwaway hit that has little meaning. Keeping in mind the fact that Haggard, Lynn and her other favorites are remembered because "they came from a perspective that no one else had at the time," she aims to achieve a perspective in her work that is similarly unique yet accessible.

"I wouldn't trade anything," she insisted. "I'm proud that my first song, 'Who Will Save Your Soul,' was not about what most 15- and 16-year-olds would write about. I was dealing with pretty big social issues. I saw a lot of contradictions, brutality - but also a lot of beauty.

"Writing helps you focus on becoming more hopeful and work harder instead of becoming complacent," she continued. "I remember reading those great writers who wrote during the Russian Revolution and finding that their passions empowered me. I'm proud of my life and proud that I've made beauty out of my life. I think it's given me a gift I wouldn't have gotten otherwise."

Jewel is adamant that she is exactly where she is supposed to be right now and that she's found a home in Country Music. "There are two reasons to do this: You love art and you struggle every day to be great at it, and to be famous," she summed up. "At the end of the day, I have to be true to my music and tell the story to the best of my ability."

© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

One can't easily picture Ansel Brown in a suit, briefcase in hand, building a budding career as an advertising executive in Charlotte, N.C. What's easier to imagine, when listening to the rowdy up-tempo tracks, saloon weepers and professions of faith on his debut album, is the day enlightenment struck and he realized, in his own words, "I'm supposed to be a Country singer."

This epiphany rings true throughout You're Just Smoke, released in May by IPAK Records. Steeped in mainstream Country influences, vibrant with dramatic gestures that draw from the wells of Bryan Adams and Billy Joel as much as Alabama and Garth Brooks, and tuned to modern tastes by producer Cliff Downs, it does offer clues to parts of Brown's background that are nearly as unexpected as his ad dalliance.

The party-down number "Waikiki Cowboy," harks back to his upbringing in Hawaii, where he moved with his family after age 10 and earned his first significant performing experience as a member of the Hawaiian Children's Choir.

That's just the beginning: Brown has led a youth ministry, coached Pop Warner Youth Football and booked frequent shows at children's hospitals into his increasingly busy schedule. These pieces come together to the strains of Country Music, on the three originals and 11 outside tracks of You're Just Smoke and especially on the debut single, "Mine's Bigger," which Brown delivers with a cockeyed grin and a swaggering bravado.

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

MUSICAL HERO
"My mom's mother. She was an incredible pianist."

INFLUENCES
"(non-musical influences) Mom and Dad, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln and Zig Ziggler; (musical influences) Collin Raye, Garth Brooks, Sting, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, Alabama and George Strait."

HOMETOWN
"Greenville, S.C."

DREAM DUET PARTNER
"Faith Hill or Carrie Underwood (equally)."

PET PEEVE
"People who don't respond to a text message."

FAVORITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
"My car - I control where I go."

LUCKY CHARM
"My faith is all the luck I need."

SONG YOU'D LIKE TO COVER
"'Purple Rain.'"

ACTOR TO PORTRAY YOU IN YOUR BIOPIC
"John Corbett."

SONG YOU WISH YOU WROTE
"'Live Like You Were Dying.'"

WORD OR PHRASE YOU FIND YOURSELF SAYING OVER AND OVER
"I can do it."

MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU RELIVE IF YOU COULD
"High school - I would do it all right this time."

TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY
"What Would Have Happened If I Didn't Try?"

WHEN THEY LOOK BACK ON YOUR LIFE IN 50 YEARS, WHAT YOU HOPE PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU
"That I made a difference."

© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association,® Inc.

A sweeping dichotomy surfaces at the close of Alan Jackson's latest album, Good Time. "If You Want to Make Me Happy," the penultimate track, is set in a barroom awash in jukebox laments and mind-numbing alcohol. The closer, "If Jesus Walked the World Today," is a buoyant gospel piece that contemplates Jesus' appearance and behavior were he to re-emerge in 21st-century America. These two songs juxtapose the polar themes of Country Music: the Saturday-night sinner and the Sunday-morning saint.

So how does Jackson feel about this?

"I never think about that kind of stuff until you writers bring it up," he said.

That's one reason why Jackson, who has branded himself in a lyric as "just a singer of simple songs," remains a force nearly two decades after signing his first recording contract with Arista Nashville. Like Merle Haggard and Hank Williams before him, Jackson addresses blue-collar themes in easy-to-grasp language while tackling ideas that slip beneath surface concerns to the root of human existence. These ideas are so obvious to him that he doesn't waste any time thinking about the depth of his observations.

"No matter what he's done," said Joe Galante, Chairman, Sony BMG Nashville, "whether it???s been 'Chattahoochee' or 'Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),' you have this conversation with him about 'these brilliant lyrics - where did this come from?' 'I don't know.' 'And this theme you have in this album?' 'No, I just think they're good songs.' 'OK, so do we.' I really think it's just about what the muse is at the moment, and then it moves him to go there. "That muse is geared strongly to the issues and concerns that face the average heartland Joe because Jackson, despite the money and fame he's amassed, is still one of them.

"Part of the reason is obviously because of where he comes from - his family ties, his family roots back in Newnan [Ga.], plus being surrounded by Denise and his three daughters," suggested Keith Stegall, producer of Good Time and all but one of Jackson's other albums. "They manage to have a pretty normal, down-to-earth lifestyle."

Good Time reiterates this fact. It embraces the escape that most people long for in the island-themed "Laid Back 'n Low Key (Cay)." It infuses his mechanical background into the truck setting of "Country Boy." It faces death in the questioning of "Sissy's Song." It looks at love in the romantic "Right Where I Want You" and, in a humorous take on the wake of making love, "Nothing Left to Do." And it leans heavily on nostalgia with "I Wish I Could Back Up," "1976" and "I Still Like Bologna," in which Jackson accepts digital technology and wheat bread while maintaining his appreciation for a previous era.

"You look at all the different ways that life has changed - the Internet, satellite TV, cell phones," he said. "It's hard to come to grips with all of it sometimes. But I wrote the song to show that I'm OK with where things are, even though it's not so bad the way things were, either. I eat healthier than I used to - I usually have wheat bread on my sandwiches - but I still like bologna on white bread. That's why I used that title. It's kind of nice once in a while to do things the old way. That doesn't mean it's better - just means it's nice to do it that way."

Jackson's album is in some ways a return to his old way of doing things. In contrast, his two previous albums were departures from his usual output. Like Red on a Rose marked the only time that he had recorded with a producer other than Stegall. With Alison Krauss at the console, it put a more fragile spin and cast darker textures on his music. And Precious Memories was a gospel album that hinged on classic hymns, recorded primarily as a gift to his mother.

Shaking up the routine proved a good way to invigorate everyone involved in the recording process for Good Time. "Going back to this album, there was a renewed energy," Jackson noted. "I had it, and I could tell Keith was excited to be back at it. The musicians even seemed more inspired, or energetic, than usual. That's not to say that they're not always right there, but they seemed happy to get back to playing some traditional Country Music, or at least my style of that."

"It seemed like everybody was just rarin' to go," said session musician Bruce Watkins, who played acoustic guitar and banjo on Good Time and has played regularly on Jackson's albums since 1989. "Being reunited as the team that originally played on all the hits that he had, everybody got all this adrenaline going, and I could see it in the smile on Alan's face too."

Jackson was definitely enthused. He typically puts off writing most of his new material until an album deadline approaches. That was the case with Good Time too, but when he put pen to paper, the songs fell out with unusual ease. In the end, Jackson recorded more than 20 songs and ultimately included 17 on his 17th album, Good Time. And for the first time in his career, he wrote them all - without a co-writer.

Some of his inspiration may have come from feeling he had something to prove. The two previous albums, according to Galante, "threw people for a loop. They went, 'I'm not sure about this. Is Alan not making records anymore?' All the crap that you would expect to show up showed up. It wasn't a surprise, but it lingered a little bit longer than I expected. I think it put a little more pressure on him on this record to come back and deliver what he did deliver."

Since making his debut album in 1989 with Here in the Real World, Jackson has delivered with extreme consistency. He's weathered several stylistic periods within Country Music, all the while remaining true to his roots. According to Galante, he still plays music by The Carter Family and Vern Gosdin on his bus, confirmation that while other acts reflect more current and pop-oriented influences, Jackson continues to be moved by the historic and honky-tonk sounds on which Country Music was built.

"We just did a series of focus groups," Galante said. "We were talking about Alan Jackson. They were all women we were talking to, and we said, 'What comes to your mind when you think about Alan Jackson?' And the words came up: 'classic' and 'timeless.' That's what it is. They get the sense this man stands for something. He has a great sense of humor, and he has a great heart and soul, and they get it. He doesn't have to come out and talk about it. They get it just because of the way he approaches everything."

Jackson's approach is why he's taken aback at time by efforts to analyze his music. The three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year applies the same integrity represented in "Small Town Southern Man" to his own work, which is built on observations about the people and the world around him. The depth is there in his writing, but it rises from a multitude of simple images that he's pieced together.

"When I was making this record," he mused, "I was thinking all these songs and the sounds on there are pretty much like I wanted to do when I came to Nashville. It was the same thing, Country Music and songs of this nature, and so I still enjoy creating the music, for the most part, more than the rest of my career. I get tired of the interviews and the TV and the awards stuff and all that, but I still like making the music."

© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association,® Inc.

Fiddler/singer/songwriter/actress Amanda Shaw's New Orleans roots display proudly throughout her Rounder Records debut album, Pretty Runs Out, in her street-strut pas de deux with Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews on "Brick Wall," the low-down jazzy blues of her solo on "What's Wrong with You?" and the foot-stomp Cajun feel "French Jig" and "McGee's Medley."

Shaw wrote five of these 13 tracks and recorded all of them while in her mid teens. Now 17, she projects an appeal through her music that combines elements of humor and youthful verve with the precocity that earned her the distinction at age 7 of being the youngest artist to guest with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.

Shaw was in elementary school when she made her national television debut on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." She was 14 when she won Best Female Entertainer honors at the annual Big Easy Entertainment Awards. In 2004, she and producer Scott Billington worked diligently on repertoire for Pretty Runs Out and recorded demos at the legendary Ultrasonic Studio, which was subsequently lost to Hurricane Katrina. They recorded Pretty Runs Out at the Piety Street Studio in the Upper Ninth Ward at the end of 2006.

Like her hometown, Shaw's music covers a wide range - all the way to crunchy, guitar-amped rock on "Woulda Coulda Shoulda." The Crescent City is all about roots, and the rock/Cajun/Irish blend of her "Reels: The Gaspé Reel/Sam's Slammer/ Imogen's Ridge" medley makes clear where Shaw's heart is, no matter how far her explorations take her from this point - even onto the sprawling IMAX screen as star of "Hurricane on the Bayou."

IN HER OWN WORDS:
MUSICAL HERO: "There are so many: Denis McGee, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Chrissie Hynde, Loretta Lynn . Mostly, though, I have to say the wonderful musicians of New Orleans."

SONG YOU SING IN THE SHOWER: "The song I'm currently trying to write."

FAVORITE MODE OF TRANSPORATION: "The one that gets me there on time - which, for me, would be 10 minutes late."

TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY: "Amanda Shaw: Pretty Runs Out."

LEGACY: "I hope people say, 'She lived a happy life and was a well respected artist . even though she is a bit klutzy at times.'"

© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

CMA Music Festival hit an all-time high attendance record in 2008 with a 9.4 percent increase over 2007 during the four-day Festival, Thursday through Sunday, in Downtown Nashville.

"Even with gasoline prices around $4 a gallon and weak economic conditions around the country, we saw an increase in our attendance on every level from local and regional participation to those fans that traveled from around the world," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "I believe that speaks to the strength of the event, the popularity of our artists, the dedication of our fans, and the entertainment value of the Festival."

The average daily attendance in 2008 was 52,000. By comparison, in 2007 the average daily attendance was nearly 48,000.

"We made a decision this year to announce our attendance as a daily average rather than a four-day aggregate so people are not overwhelmed by a huge number and potentially turned off from attending the Festival because they are concerned about parking or moving around downtown," Genovese said. "It is actually much easier than people think and we want to communicate that in a new way." 

Fans definitely enjoyed themselves and made it known at the Box Office. Tickets for CMA Music Festival 2009, which will be held June 11-14, went on sale Saturday and Gold Circle four-day ticket packages sold out in a record 15 minutes. By Sunday, advance sales bested sales during the same period in 2007, by 4.2 percent.

"You know you are giving the fans what they want when they put down their hard-earned money for an event and we haven't even announced who will be performing," remarked Genovese.

Increased sales of four-day ticket packages and single concert tickets contributed to the growth, as well as record attendance at CMA Music Festival's free areas - including the McDonald's®-Dr Pepper® Family Zone, Fun Zone, Chevy(tm) Sports Zone and Chevy Plaza.

Surprise appearances are a hallmark of this event. And 2008 didn't disappoint. The first night at the VAULT(tm) Concert Stage at LP Field included an unannounced appearance by reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Rascal Flatts. On Friday, Keith Urban delighted the crowd - and one fan in particular - when he leapt from the stage, sprinted into the stands and autographed his guitar for a stunned fan. Jessica Simpson made several unannounced appearances including the Wednesday Block Party, the Fan Fair Hall and at LP Field. Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn also made an unexpected appearance to sign autographs for fans.

"We love giving our fans something special and unexpected," Genovese said. "It is amazing to hear the stadium erupt in applause when an unannounced guest steps out on that stage."

And it all benefits children and music education in Nashville. The artists and celebrities participating in CMA Music Festival donate their time. They are not compensated for the hours they spend signing autographs and performing. In appreciation of their exhaustive efforts, CMA donates half the net proceeds from the event to music education on their behalf through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education called "Keep the Music Playing."

To date, CMA has donated more than $1 million on behalf of the artists who participate in the Festival - including $368,500 from the 2006 CMA Music Festival and $655,600 from 2007 CMA Music Festival. Several students groups participated in the Festival including drum corps from Antioch and Overton High Schools, who marched in "The Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade." In addition, 800 students were given tickets to attend Saturday night through the generosity of HCA/TriStar.

CMA Music Festival is - and always will be - about the fans and their relationship with the artists and the music. The theme is universal and in 2008 Festival attendees came from every state and 28 foreign countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

The Festival got underway Wednesday with Grand Marshall James Otto leading the way for "The Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade" with an estimated crowd of 12,000 spectators. Following the procession, the fun kicked into high gear with "The Third Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party" on the Chevy Plaza at the Sommet Center. Keith Anderson, Luke Bryan, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Phil Stacey, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band performed for an estimated crowd of 6,000 according to police.

Nightly Concerts on the VAULT(tm) Concert Stage at LP Field 
In all, 36 acts participated in the star-packed Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field. The lineup Thursday included Jewel, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and acoustic performances by Luke Bryan and Jennifer Hanson. 

Pre-show activities included the presentation of the Stars and Stripes by the United States Marine Corps Recruiting Station Nashville Color Guard and a fly over with FA-18s from The Bengals of VMFA (AW)-224 from Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C., a tradition that was a crowd pleaser all four nights. Lyric Street recording artist and season six "American Idol" finalist Phil Stacey sang the national anthem, and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean officially welcomed fans to Music City for the 37th annual event, which began as Fan Fair® in 1972.

Fans were treated to performances Friday by Faith Hill, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. Julianne Hough performed with Turner's band. Jake Owen and Ashton Shepherd performed acoustic sets.
           
Though the evening marked Hill's first performance at the Festival in 10 years, she insisted that her appearance felt like a family event. "Well, it's a short drive," she joked. "And my kids are at home, so I kind of feel like I'm off tonight."

Saturday's lineup rocked the house with Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, and Kenny Rogers. Jason Michael Carroll, Jamey Johnson, and Darryl Worley delivered acoustic performances.

Sunday's lineup featured Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, James Otto, Randy Travis, and Dwight Yoakam. Phil Stacey, John Stephan and Chuck Wicks performed acoustically.

Yoakam last appeared at the Festival 20 years ago when he performed with personal friend and mentor Buck Owens. "It's great to be here at CMA Music Festival," he said. "It's been a long, long time." Then, referring to the many giants of Country Music who had played at CMA Music Festival, he added, "It hasn't been a very succinct journey to this point for me, but the shoulder I'm standing on is theirs."

Greased Lightning® Riverfront Daytime Stages
Fan favorites Phil Vassar and Jo Dee Messina got the 2008 CMA Music Festival off to an energetic start Thursday morning during the kick-off concert at Riverfront Park. Fans were waiting before dawn to see the powerhouse performers.

The dual stages bustled throughout the four days with a rich array of performers from both major and independent record labels. In all, 106 acts performed more than 34 hours of concerts. 

truTV(tm) Fan Fair® Hall
The state of continuous commotion that's been the standard for the truTV(tm) Fan Fair Hall was back in force with 408 artists and celebrities appearing at the Nashville Convention Center. Exhibit booths sold out with 110 exhibitors. Attendance over the four days was more than 53,000. For the first time, single day tickets to the Fan Fair Hall were available for purchase Saturday and Sunday.
 
"This is my first time at CMA Music Festival. I'm really impressed with the way fans form friendships here. I definitely want to become a part of this community over the next several years," said Taylor Young, 27, of Mountain View, Calif.

As in previous years, dedicated fans camped out on the street outside of the Exhibit Hall starting at 8:00 PM, not only in hopes of being the first in line for autographs when the doors opened the following morning, but also to share in what has become a special tradition for this group. "I came down here at 5 this morning and found there was already a long line to get in," said Sam Pfeiffer, 36, of Arlington, Va., on Thursday morning. "I guess I'll have to make it earlier tomorrow, but that just adds to the sense of adventure."

Their dedication paid off. Aaron Tippin surprised the assembled fans and signed autographs around 2:00 AM Thursday following his performance at The Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam.

Country superstar Alan Jackson made his first appearance in the Fan Fair Hall since 1998 Friday signing 300 autographs in two hours with his wife and author Denise Jackson.

Teen sensation Taylor Swift signed in the Big Machine Records booth Saturday from the time the doors opened at 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM - with no break. She signed 900 autographs, the longest consecutive signing since Garth Brooks' marathon 23 hour signing in 1996.

Kix Brooks made a surprise appearance in the Fan Fair Hall signing approximately 500 autographs in three hours at the Brooks & Dunn booth - after signing another 100 in the Borders® booth. Carrie Underwood signed 400 autographs in four hours and Wynonna signed for five hours. Other popular artists included Jessica Simpson, Kellie Pickler, Sara Evans, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Bucky Covington, Billy Gilman, Emerson Drive, Joe Nichols, James Otto and Chris Young.

Mary Kay® presents Acoustic Corner, which launched in 2004 as a showcase for independent artists, featured 30 solo or group performers. The area on the second floor of the Convention Center hosted a steady stream of fans.

Premiere on the Air
CMA's official radio partner, Premiere Radio Networks, brought 20 of Country radio's top-rated stations from markets including Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Louisville, Nashville, Norfolk, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, D.C., and overnight syndicated radio program "After MidNite with Blair Garner" to Nashville for three days of remote broadcasts from the Convention Center. More than 75 artists and celebrities participated in the remotes reaching 10 million listeners.

In addition, Premiere also teamed up with several ABC Television Network affiliates to bring the excitement of the event to cities across the country. Jack Ingram and the stars of ABC Daytime joined on-air personalities for the first-hand reports to several markets including Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Phoenix and Seattle. 
 
"With the new television studio added to the service we've been offering to radio at CMA Music Festival, we expect to help participating stations reach an audience of more than 13 million this year," said Ilycia Deitch Chiarmonte, Senior Director of Events for Premiere Radio Networks.
 
Borders® 
Borders had locations at the Exhibit Hall, Riverfront and LP Field. The Top 5 selling CD titles belonged to (in order) Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Joe Nichols, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Young - who all signed in the Fan Fair Hall during the Festival. Other bestselling artists included Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Whiskey Falls, and Stephen Cochran. 

"One of the goals with this event is to help build a marketing platform for developing artists," Genovese said. "With the variety of artists on the list, it tells me that our fans are discovering new music at CMA Music Festival and they aren't waiting until they get home to buy it."

CMA Music Festival Merchandise
The official CMA Music Festival merchandise line was very popular with attendees. According to Music City Merchandise, which designs and produces the collection, onsite sales were up nearly 11 percent over 2007. A popular item this year was a T-shirt that listed all announced performers for the Nightly Concerts. Music City Merchandise, which had booths at the truTV Fan Fair Hall, Greased Lightning Daytime Stages, McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone, the Sommet Center, and VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field, has been CMA's merchandise partner for the past 14 years.

Chevy(tm) Sports Zone
CMA's free Chevy Sports Zone was a huge hit with participants and fans looking for fun and friendly competition. More thank 100 celebrities, artists and athletes participated in Chevy Sports Zone activities during the four days.

"The Field & Stream Celebrity Total Outdoorsman Challenge presented by Mobil 1" was a highlight Thursday with Country Music artists and other celebrities showing off their outdoor skills with contests in archery, fly casting, bait casting, and air rifle and attempting to beat the two-time Total Outdoorsman Challenge Champion Paul Thompson, who also joined the competition. In an upset that had people buzzing, Daniel Lee Martin beat Thompson for the First Place seat. Martin's prizes including a televised hunting trip and new BowTech bow. On Friday, the Field & Stream held local and regional Total Outdoorsman Challenges. Cory Jones finished first out of nine competitors in the local qualifier, winning an all-expense paid trip for two to the 2008 CMA Awards and moving on to the regional qualifier. Also moving on to the regional qualifier were Scot Marcin, Paul Hughes, and Martin (who was invited to compete in the regional qualifier based on his scores from Thursday). Nineteen outdoorsmen competed in the regional qualifier Friday afternoon. Chris Nischan and Martin had the best scores and will compete in Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge National Championship, Sept. 5-7 in Springfield, Mo.

The fur was flying during the DockDogs® Competitions Presented by Outdoor Channel. Competitions took place in the DockDogs' 25,000 gallon mobile pool. During the Celebrity Challenge on Sunday, Outdoor Channel host Mike Pawlawski and his canine partner Quasi won with a distance of 24 feet, 10 inches, setting a new record for the DockDogs Celebrity Challenge. The Outdoor Channel's Tiffany Lakowsky and Bo won the silver medal with a distance of 20 feet, 5 inches. Trick Pony's Keith Burns and Cheyenne took home the bronze leaping for 19 feet, 11 inches. Also placing in the top tier were CMT's Katie Cook and Rachel Reinhart from the band Gloriana.
 
The Celebrity Sports Challenge Presented by Glaceau Vitaminwater® Hosted by Steve Azar proved to be a fan favorite with an amazing array of sports champions and celebrities competing along with Azar and other artists. Five teams competed, each identified by the color of their jersey. In the end, victory was awarded to the Navy team, which included Todd Armstrong, Steve Azar, Aaron Benward of Blue County, former NFL linebacker Steve Cole, Tennessee Titans punter Craig Hentrich, and Ken Purvis.

The Outdoor Life Calling for Conservation Competition took place Friday.  Hosted by Shoot Straight TV's Chad Schearer, this game-calling contest highlights the launch of a new conservation program: Outdoor Life's "Project Save-A-Stream," a nationwide program dedicated to cleaning up our waterways. Professional and celebrity callers competed to determine the best turkey and big game calls.

Two winners were selected: Julie Ingram was the audience favorite, based on volume of applause, but the judges gave the official first prize to Trent Willmon, along with an Alberta Canada Black Bear Hunt and a check for $1,000 to donate to the conservation organization of his choice.

The first ever CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship took place Saturday and Sunday. Teams from across the nation competed in four categories (pork ribs, pork shoulder, beef brisket and chicken) for a chance to win a share of more than $17,000 in cash and prizes to be distributed to category winners.

The Grand Champion of the CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship, the Lotta Bull BBQ team from Marietta, Okla., will receive $2,500, a CMA Awards trip package for two including accommodations, an invitation to take part in the prestigious KCBS-sanctioned American Royale competition, and eligibility to participate in the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (better known as "The Jack") in late October in Lynchburg, TN.

The CBR/RFD-TV Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge was held Saturday with artists squaring off against champion bull riders to see who could make the eight seconds. The event was hosted by Tuff Hedeman, five-time World Champion and President of CBR. The winning team was professional rider Jake Littlefield and Jason Brown.

The Fiesta Celebrity Grilling Challenge was held Saturday with host Lee McWright, Executive Chef for Fiesta Gas Grills. Artists and celebrities were paired with professional chefs in a culinary competition. The winning team was Mark Wills and Chef Jason Brumm of the Nashville restaurant Radius10.

Sunday's "Third Annual New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race" had artists and celebrities revved up with contestants racing against the clock through an obstacle course on a New Holland Boomer(tm) compact tractor. The winner was singer/songwriter Darby Ledbetter with an astounding time of .47 seconds. Trent Willmon was second with .51, followed closely by Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, with a time of .52 seconds.
 
Chevy Plaza 
The Chevy Plaza free area on the Sommet Center plaza buzzed with activities featuring vehicle displays, interactive consumer experiences, games, and the Chevy Ride & Drive event. The Chevy Stage featured 33 daily performances. Visitors were also able to test-drive an Avalanche, Cobalt Sport, HHR, Impala SS, Tahoe Hybrid, all new Malibu, Aveo, Equinox Sport or one of two Silverados (1500 and 2500 HD). The number of test drives topped 1,000 and Chevy provided 34,700 giveaway items including hats, shirts, mugs, playing cards, and more.

McDonald's®-Dr Pepper® Family Zone
Growing in popularity each year since it was introduced in 2001, the free McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone was buzzing during CMA Music Festival with activities for youngsters and the young at heart.

The Family Zone was a popular destination Sunday for the McDonald's Family Picnic, with McDonald's providing free sandwiches to the first 500 attendees.

For the second year, top high school vocalists from across the nation were in Nashville to compete for the prestigious title "Music City Rising Star." The Music City's Rising Star Youth Vocal Soloist Competition was held in the McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone with 129 students from 25 states competing. The Top 5 finalists were announced Saturday on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages. Winners from first to fifth were Jernie Talles, 14, of Fort Pierce, Fla., Morgan Grotheer, 17, of Savannah, Ga., Kaley Caterton, 15, of Waco, Texas, and Anna Brooke Higdon, 17, of Sevierville, Tenn.

CMA Celebrity Close Up Presented by Great American Country
The inside track is what CMA Celebrity Close Up is all about with a lively question and answer format hosted by media personality Lorianne Crook. And she treated the record-breaking audience of more than 3,400 over two sessions to a bit of insider information with guests Bucky Covington, Sara Evans, Joe Nichols, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift, Randy Travis and Gretchen Wilson. 

Great American Country (GAC) was the presenting sponsor of the celebrity gab sessions, which were taped for two future television broadcasts by the same name on the Country Music-themed cable network. The first episode is scheduled to air Saturday, July 19 (9:00 PM/ET) and the second episode will air Saturday, July 26 (9:00 PM/ET). Schedule and times subject to change. 

"The participating artists are really in their element in front of a live crowd of fans, and we always see a side of them we never expected," said Sarah Trahern, GAC Senior VP of Programming.  "Answering questions directly from their fans really gets to the heart of who they are, and the featured artists tell us they enjoy themselves as much as the audience does."
 
CMA Music Festival After Hours(tm) Presented by CMT(tm)
The fun never ends. Sixteen clubs participated in CMA Music Festival After Hours presented by CMT offering drink specials and activities for festival goers and Nashvillians.

"The Official CMA After Hours Kick-Off Concerts" were held at the Hard Rock Outdoor Stage with performances by The Clark Brothers, Whiskey Falls, and Mark Wills. Hard Rock Café Nashville's Stub Hub Songwriters in the Round returned to the After Hours lineup for its second year providing fans a glimpse into the stories behind the songs.

ABC Daytime
Drama is a staple of both Country Music lyrics and daytime television series, and the artists and actors met at the crossroads during 2008 CMA Music Festival when the ABC daytime stars of "All My Children," "One Life to Live," and "General Hospital" made their return at the Festival.

Daytime actors that attended CMA Music Festival included Bobbie Eakes ("Krystal Carey") and Ricky Paull Goldin ("Jake Martin") from "All My Children;" Kassie DePaiva ("Blair Cramer") from "One Life To Live;" and Bradford Anderson ("Damian Spinelli"), Rebecca Herbst ("Elizabeth Webber"), and Jason Thompson ("Dr. Patrick Drake") from "General Hospital".

ABC Block Party
The ABC Block Party hosted by "Bachelor" alum Bob Guiney on Saturday included a performance by Country artist Marcel, appearances by the Daytime stars including a performances by Kassie DePaiva and Bobbie Eakes, a question and answer session with two-time "Dancing With the Stars" champion and emerging Country star Julianne Hough, and trivia contests where winners received "Dirty, Sexy Money" that could be redeemed onsite for ABC merchandise.

Media Coverage
More than 750 journalists from more than 200 domestic and international media outlets were credentialed for 2008 CMA Music Festival. Among the domestic outlets at CMA Music Festival were ABC.com, ABC Radio Networks, Amazon.com, AOL, Associated Press, CMT, Country Weekly, GAC, Getty Images, In Touch Weekly, KidzBop.com, MSN, OK Magazine, Outdoor Channel, People, Premiere Radio Networks, Reuters, The Tennessean, USA Today, and US Weekly, International media from 14 countries were credentialed as well, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Among the 49 international outlets represented were Bayerischer Rundfunk/Bayern 3 (Germany), BBC Radio Lancashire (UK), Country Music Channel (Australia), Disney Tribune (France), Maverick Magazine (UK), The Music Network (Australia), Personalities Magazine and ptvireland.com (Ireland), Queensland Country Life (Australia), RTL (France), and more.

Sponsorship
Sponsorship is a key element to the marketing, fan experience and financial support of the Festival. Nearly 70 partners gave out more than 300,000 product samples.

VAULT was present in the Fun Zone and title sponsor of the LP Field concert stage. "The CMA Festival was a great event for VAULT - we definitely got it done and then some," said Neil Golson, VAULT Brand Manager. "We were able to spread the word about this fantastic brand, and quench the thirst of tens of thousands of Country Music fans over the course of the long weekend."

Greased Lightning Cleaning Products passed out more than 36,000 trial size samples of their cleaning product.

"Country Music fans continue to amaze," said Craig LaPointe, Event Manager for Greased Lightning. "With Greased Lightning's involvement at the Festival since the inception of the Riverfront stages in 2001, 2008 proved to be the perfect place for Greased Lightning to call attention to our newest promotion, wesponsoranything.com. This year's tremendous turnout and fan appreciation laid the exciting groundwork for the 2009 CMA Music Festival possibilities."

truTV distributed 800 gas cards and 11,000 key chains and mint tins to fans. Fans also recorded DVDs in front of a green screen that made it look like they were on an oil rig. 

Tetley Tea distributed 30,000 wet samples in the Fun Zone and 20,000 dry samples in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall.

With temperatures in the 90s, Blue Bell Creameries was a popular spot in the Fun Zone, where they handed out 20,000 ice cream samples. And there was a lot of puppy love in the Chevy Sports Zone with 16,000 Waggin' Train Dog Treats samples handed out in the Fun and Sports Zones..

CMT passed out 2,200 foam fingers for the Super Fan sections at LP Field. CMT also provided an artist photo for every fan who passed through their autograph line at the Fan Fair Hall. They made autograph hunting easier by handing out 2,500 sharpies and produced 1,500 "Can You Duet" CDs for fans who sang in the Can You Duet booth.

McDonald's was a first-time sponsor in the McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone in 2008. They distributed 20,000 coupons for Southern Style chicken sandwiches and biscuits, 11,000 coupons for iced coffee, 11,600 servings of McDonald's Apple Dippers, and 10,300 servings of McDonald's Fun Cookies. They also provided 560 Southern Style Chicken Sandwiches, 720 Cherry Pies and 560 apple Dippers Sunday during the free McDonald's Family Picnic.

"McDonald's' participation in the 2008 CMA Music Festival was a terrific opportunity to connect to our customer's passion for Country Music," said Ted Bertuca Jr., a local McDonald's Owner/Operator.
 
"I found the CMA Festival to be the total entertainment package - great music combined various fun and interesting activities. That, together with eclectic downtown Nashville, it offered something for everyone! What I found most impressive, was how nice the crowd was," said Cathy Kolumbus, Senior Brand Manager, Tetley USA. "Everyone we spoke to was genuine and seemed to be having a great time, despite the heat."

2009 CMA Music Festival Tickets 
2009 CMA Music Festival will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in Downtown Nashville and tickets are available now. Tickets for 2009 CMA Music Festival were available to Music Festival attendees during the event and available nationally today. The Gold Circle section is already sold out and tickets are selling at a rapid pace, 4.2 percent ahead of 2008 sales figures and 29 percent ahead of 2007 sales.  Fans are encouraged to order early for best available seating.

To order tickets, call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at 615-255-9600. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to a different level of seating at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE.

2009 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FOUR-DAY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES

LEVEL                                    ADULT                 12 & YOUNGER
Gold Circle (Floor)                  SOLD OUT           N/A
Floor Level                              $175                   $123
Lower Level                            $155                   $109
Club Level                               $145                   $102

ABC Television Special - Monday, Sept. 8
As previously announced, the Festival was filmed for a two-hour television special "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" scheduled to air on the ABC Television Network Monday, Sept. 8 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET). Hosting the special for the first time will be two-time "Dancing with the Stars" champion Julianne Hough, former "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler and reigning CMA Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer. Gary Halvorson is the Director. The special was shot in high definition and will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

This is the fourth year the special will air on ABC. The primetime special debuted on the CBS Television Network in 2004.
 
Both the concerts and the interaction between the artists and fans will be captured in the special with heart-pounding performances interspersed with heart-warming encounters between the artists and their avid admirers. Taped exclusively for the special, cameras followed the stories of several Festival attendees, who had their dreams come true when they were granted a once-in-a-lifetime meeting and personal encounter with their favorite Country stars.

On the Web
The Second Annual Fan Social was held at Buck Wild Saloon on Saturday, where a maximum capacity crowd of MySpace and Facebook social-networking friends met in-person. Capitol Records Nashville recording group Lady Antebellum, who performed at the first of these gatherings in 2007, returned with an acoustic performance. Lyric Street artist Trent Tomlinson performed and participated in an autograph session.

© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

The 2008 CMA Music Festival gets bigger and better with music, sports, food and fun. There is so much to do and see at this four-day festival that it takes seven days to get it all in.

The fun begins tonight!

Worldwide Event

On Tuesday (3:30-6:00 PM) at The Second Fiddle on Broadway, Robert Reynolds hosts the AristoMedia Global Showcase. Artists participating include Victoria Banks (Canada), Jason Blaine (Canada), Adam Harvey (Australia), Jetty Road (Australia), Tracy Killeen (Australia), Amber Nicholson (Canada), Felicity Urquhart (Australia), and Mark Wells (Australia).

This event is free and open to the public.

Country Hit Parade
"The Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade" will be held Wednesday (2:00 PM) featuring Country Music artists and celebrities riding in Chevy Corvette convertibles and Silverados. James Otto is the Grand Marshal and other participants include Deborah Allen, Katie Armiger, riders from Championship Bull Riding, Erika Jo, Crystal Gayle, The Grascals, Jeff Griffith, Indian Rodeo, Lonestar, Jason Meadows, Mountain Heart, Michael Martin Murphey, several of NASCAR's top drivers, One Flew South, The Roys, Phil Stacey, Keni Thomas, Trent Tomlinson, Rhonda Towns, Kyle Wyley, and Chris Young. Other participants include the Antioch High School Marching Band and Drill Team; the Overton High School drumline; the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee riding on their float; the Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee, and various Southeast Region Chevy Youth Baseball teams. In addition, a caravan of Corvette enthusiasts will join the parade.

Beginning at the corner of Broadway and Sixth Avenue North, the procession will travel down Broadway; turn right on Third Avenue South; proceed down Third Avenue South until turning right on Demonbreun; proceed up Demonbreun to Sixth Avenue, and end at the Sommet Center.

Immediately following the parade, "The Third Annual CMA Block Party" will take place at the Chevy Music Stage (3:00 PM) on the Chevy Plaza at the Sommet Center (Fifth Avenue South and Broadway). Performers include Keith Anderson, Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Phil Stacey, and Chris Young. 

Bring On the Night
An official part of CMA Music Festival this year is "Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam" on Wednesday (10:00 PM) at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Stuart's seventh annual event, benefitting MusicCares and CMA's Keep the Music Playing education campaign, features performances by Charlie Daniels, Mike Farris, Dallas Frazier, Kostas, Kathy Mattea, Old Crow Medicine Show, John Rich, Connie Smith, The SteelDrivers, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Sunny Sweeney, Gretchen Wilson, and surprise guests.

A separate ticket is required for the Late Night Jam and can be purchased at www.ryman.com.

The Fun "Officially" Begins
The 2008 CMA Music Festival officially begins Thursday and continues through Sunday with hundreds celebrities and artists, 100 hours of concerts, 30 hours of autograph signings, family activities, sporting competitions, grilling and barbequing contests, interactive exhibits, giveaways games, and much more.

"CMA Music Festival is the ultimate destination for music lovers," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "Fans come back year after year to experience all of the fun and excitement that the Festival and the City of Nashville have to offer. From our daily concerts on the Greased Lightning® Riverfront Daytime Stages, to the truTV(tm) Exhibit Hall, our free stages in the Zones, the After Hours parties, and of course the nightly concerts on the VAULT(tm) Concert Stage at LP Field, our lineup is amazing. CMA Music Festival is a music lover's dream."

"Keep the Music Playing"
And it all aids music education for public school students through the benefit program "Keep the Music Playing." The artists who participate in CMA Music Festival are not compensated for the hours they spend performing and signing autographs. To show its appreciation, CMA contributes half the net proceeds from the event on behalf of the artists. To date, CMA has contributed more than $1.1 million to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

"Rollin' on the River"
Phil Vassar and Jo Dee Messina will kick off four days of non-stop concerts with their high energy shows at the Greased Lightning Riverfront Daytime Stages on Thursday (10:00 AM). Joining them during the opening show will be Deborah Allen, Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, and Chuck Wicks. And that is just the beginning.  Over the course of the Festival, more than 100 artists are scheduled to perform on the banks of the Cumberland River.

Artists include Charlie Allen, Bill Anderson, Keith Anderson, Katie Armiger, Jeff Bates, Bellamy Brothers, John Berry, Bo Bice, Lee Brice, Dean Brody, Lane Brody, T. Graham Brown, Zac Brown, Laura Bryna, Tracy Byrd, Carolina Rain, Carters Chord, Mark Chesnutt, Eric Church, Stephen Cochran, Cowboy Crush, Crossin Dixon, Star DeAzlan, Drew Davis Band, Whitney Duncan, Eli Young Band, Emerson Drive, Erika Jo, Flynnville Train, Jimmy Fortune, Ashley Gearing, Billy Gilman, Josh Gracin, Adam Gregory, Jeff Griffith with Joe Stampley, Andy Griggs, Greg Hanna, Jennifer Hanson, Heartland, Ty Herndon, The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party featuring Buddy Jewell, Ray Scott, Trent Willmon and Mark Wills, Randy Houser, Rick Huckaby, Con Hunley, Emma Mae Jacob, Sarah Johns, Jamey Johnson, Jypsi, James LeBlanc, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Lost Trailers, Rockie Lynne, Raul Malo, Jeremy McComb, Neal McCoy, Mindy McCready, Jason Meadows, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Megan Mullins, Mel McDaniel, Richie McDonald, Michael Martin Murphey, Minnie Murphy, David Nail, Heidi Newfield, Joe Nichols, Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O'Neal, Jake Owen, Rissi Palmer, Danielle Peck, Telstra winner Jasmine Rae, Eddy Raven, Rio Grand, The Road Hammers, Mica Roberts, The Roys, Crystal Shawanda, Ashton Shepherd, TG Sheppard, Phil Stacey, Jeffrey Steele, Fisher Stevenson, Doug Stone, Sunny Sweeney, Mel Tillis, Aaron Tippin, Rhonda Towns, Trailer Choir, Jimmy Wayne, Emily West, Whiskey Falls, Bryan White, Darryl Worley, Billy Yates, and Chris Young.

The concerts are hosted by a variety of celebrities and broadcast personalities including GAC host Suzanne Alexander, GAC and WSM-AM personality Bill Cody, 95.5 The Wolf's Jim Day, CMT's "Gone Country" contestant and "American Idol" finalist Diana Degarmo, WUBL/Atlanta's Slam Duncan, WGSQ-FM personality Phillip Gibbons, Country Aircheck's Lon Helton, GAC Radio's Donna Hughes, Tennessean columnist Beverly Keel, WSIX midday jock Newman, WKRN News Channel 2's Brad Schmitt, co-host of FOX 17's "Tennessee Mornings" Kelly Sutton, 103.3 WKDF's Becca Walls, "Country Music Across America's" Storme Warren, singer/songwriter Billy Yates, and the stars of ABC Daytime.

Single-day tickets for the Greased Lightning Riverfront Daytime Stages will be sold the day of each show at the gate for $16 each. Children 6 and younger are admitted to the Daily Concerts at the Greased Lightning Riverfront Daytime Stages free of charge with a paying adult, making this a very family-friendly destination during the Festival.

Party Under the Stars
LP Field will become VAULT Country with samples of the hybrid energy soda available as fans exit the stadium. The Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field (home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans) feature the biggest names in Country Music, emerging stars and surprise guests. Fans have a front-row shot from the popular Photo Line, which is in constant motion in front of the stage during the performances.

Pre-show activities opening night (7:30 PM/CT) include the presentation of the Stars and Stripes by the United States Marine Corps Recruiting Station Nashville Color Guard and a fly over with FA-18s from The Bengals of VMFA (AW)-224 from Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C. Lyric Street recording artist Phil Stacey will sing the National Anthem and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will officially welcome the fans to Music City. Performers include (artists and schedule subject to change):

Thursday (7:30 PM) - Jennifer Hanson, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Luke Bryan, Jewel, Taylor Swift, and Sugarland.

 Friday (7:45 PM) - Ashton Shepherd, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Jake Owen, and Faith Hill.

Saturday (7:45 PM) - Jason Michael Carroll, Craig Morgan, Little Big Town, Jamey Johnson, Rodney Atkins, Darryl Worley, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, and Kenny Rogers.

Sunday (7:45 PM) - Chuck Wicks, James Otto, Bucky Covington, Randy Travis, John Stephan, Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Stacey, and Dwight Yoakam.

Hosts for the Nightly Concerts are "General Hospital's" Bradford Anderson, CMT personality Allison DeMarcus, "One Life to Live's" Kassie DePaiva, "All My Children's" Bobbie Eakes, "All My Children's" Ricky Paull Goldin, "General Hospital's" Rebecca Herbst, standup comedian Killer Beaz, "General Hospital's" Jason Thompson, and GAC and XM personality Storme Warren.

The Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field feature state-of-the-art production and fireworks at the conclusion of each show. The fireworks display is generously sponsored by VAULT on Thursday, June 5; Greased Lightning on Friday, June 6; and Chevy(tm) on Saturday, June 7. 

Tickets for each nightly show at LP Field can be purchased at a cost of $40 for reserved seating and $30 for general admission. Single night tickets can be purchased in advance through the CMA Music Festival Box Office at The Sommet Center Box Office, 501 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn., or toll free at 1-800 CMA-FEST (262-3378). Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at (615) 255-9600, www.ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets. Ticket price does not include applicable handling fees.

Single night concert tickets will also be sold during CMA Music Festival at the LP Field ticket office beginning Wednesday. The single night concert ticket is only good for that night's performance at LP Field.

truTV(tm) Fan Fair® Hall
The lifestyle exhibits and autograph booths in the Nashville Convention Center are a traditional favorite. Entrance into the truTV Fan Fair Hall is included in the four-day ticket package. For the first time ever, individual daily tickets will be available for Saturday and Sunday, for $20 per day, plus applicable handling fees. The tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); or onsite during the event at the box office at the Sommet Center. Artists scheduled to sign autographs include legends, today's hitmakers and tomorrow's hopefuls.

Performers and celebrities scheduled to appear in the truTV Fan Fair Hall include Curtis Alan, Charlie Allen, Deborah Allen, Suzanne Alexander, Bill Anderson, Keith Anderson, Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Sam Bass, Jeff Bates, Bo Bice, Bonnie Lou Bishop, Bluefield, Bonner Bolton, Lee Brice, Lane Brody, Jason Brown, Brownell & Richey, Luke Bryan, Laura Bryna, Sarah Buxton, Tracy Byrd, David Byrnes, Caitlin & Will, Don Campbell, Carolina Rain, Jason Michael Carroll, Cash Creek Band, Mark Chesnutt, Billy Childers, Eric Church, Steven Clawson, Will Clements, Stephen Cochran, Austin Cody, Bill Cody, Dan Colehour, Elizabeth Cook, Katie Cook, The Coppolas, Brad Cotter, Bucky Covington, Cowboy Troy, Timothy Craig, Candice Crain, Crook & Chase, Stephen Dale, Justin David, Star De Azlan, Deepstep, Diana DeGarmo, Kassie DePaiva, Drew Davis Band, Eric Durrance, Eli Young Band, Emerson Drive, Ralph Emery, Erika Jo, Jace Everett, Donna Fargo, Joey & Rory Feek, Flynnville Train, Crystal Gayle, Freddie Gill, Billy Gilman, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, Jack Greene, Ben Gregg, Adam Gregory, Jeff Griffith, Angela Hacker, Jennifer Hanson,Vince Hatfield, Heartland, Tuff Hedeman, Amanda Henkel, Ty Herndon, Katelyn Hobson, Lucas Hoge, Shelby Horner, Hot Apple Pie, Julianne Hough, James House, Randy Houser, Rick Huckaby, Con Hunley, Jack Ingram, Julie Ingram, Emma Mae Jacob, Buddy Jewell, Jamey Johnson, Ben "Cooter" Jones, Zona Jones, Jypsi, Christian Kane, Cooper Kanngiesser, Sage Keffer, Kentucky Headhunters, Johnny Knapp, Mikel Knight, David Kroll, Lady Antebellum, James LeBlanc, Ladden Ledbetter, Zane Lewis, Little Big Town, Little Texas, Jake Littlefield, Lonestar, The Lost Trailers, Sherry Lynn, Marshal Reign, Daniel Lee Martin, Joey Martin, Kim McAbee, Cody McCarver, Jeremy McComb, Neal McCoy, Rich McCready, Mel McDaniel, Steve McGranahan, Jason Meadows, Charlotte Medley, Jo Dee Messina, Barry Michael, Ronnie Milsap, Travis Moody, DeAnne Moore, Justin Moore, Moore & Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Brooke Morton, Mountain Heart, Michael Martin Murphey, Mustang Creek, David Nail, Josh Newcom, Heidi Newfield, Joe Nichols, Nick Nicholson, David Paul Nowlin, One Flew South, Jamie O'Neal, Todd O'Neil, James Otto, Jake Owen, Ashlee Page, Danielle Peck, Michael Peterson, Reunionaires, Amber Rhodes, Steve Richard, Riders In the Sky, Rio Grand, The Road Hammers, Julie Roberts, Mica Roberts, The Roys, Sammy Sadler, David St. Romain, Travis Sellers, Kevin Sharp, Crystal Shawanda, Ashton Shepherd, Thom Shepherd, TG Sheppard, Martha Sides, Wesley Silcox, Wade Sims, Damon Smith, Daniel Smith, Skyla Spencer, Phil Stacey, Fisher Stevenson, Paul Stout, Sunny Sweeney, Taylor Swift, Keni Thomas, Mel Tillis, Aaron Tippin, Trent Tomlinson, Rhonda Towns, Trailer Choir, Carrie Underwood, Jessica Cayne Urick, Rusty Van Sickle, Phil Vassar, Jenna von Oy, Taylor Ware, Darren Warren, Storme Warren, Jimmy Wayne, Well Hungarians, Emily West, Whiskey Falls, Bryan White, Jonalee White, White Acre, Chuck Wicks, Rachel Williams, Trent Willmon, Mark Wills, Gretchen Wilson, Blake Wise, Nicole Witt, Steven Woolsey, Darryl Worley, Wynnona, Billy Yates, Chris Young and many others. Artists are subject to change.

A popular feature of the truTV Fan Fair Hall is Mary Kay ® Presents the Acoustic Corner.  This area, on the second floor of the Nashville Convention Center in Room 209, offers independent artists a place to showcase their talent. Open daily (Thursday and Friday 11:00 AM -5:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday (11:00 AM - 3:15 PM), Mary Kay Presents Acoustic Corner is free for all four-day ticket holders.  Artist performance times will be posted on-site daily.

Artists scheduled to perform at Mary Kay Presents the Acoustic Corner include Cash Creek, Will Clements, Austin Cody, Dan Colehour, Cowboy Joe & The Babcocks, Timothy Craig, James Taylor Curtis, Justin David, Kassie DePaiva, Jace Everett, Chris Gray, Ben Gregg, Dennie Hall, Sage Keffer, Jimmy Kish the Flying Cowboy, Miko Marks, Marshal Reign, Brooke Morton, Mustang Creek, Todd O'Neill, Ashlee Page, Thom Shepherd, Damon Smith, TelluRide, Brandi Thorton, Rhonda Towns, Jenna von Oy, Well Hungarians, Rachel Williams, and World's Greatest Fishing Band. Artist lineup is subject to change.

Zoned Out
Chevy(tm) Sports Zone is the place for sporting fun, friendly competitions between celebrities, athletes, and more. Located in the parking lot at the corner of Demonbreun and Fifth Avenue (behind the Sommet Center), the Chevy Sports Zone is open Thursday through Saturday (11:00 AM-5:00 PM) and Sunday (11:00 AM-4:00 PM). Admission is free to the public.

On Thursday the "Ultimate K9s Sports Show presented by Waggin' Train Dog Treats" will entertain fans with three shows (11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM). John Misita and his amazing K9s are the premiere Frisbee dog entertainers in the world with a show full of cutting edge, high flying acrobatics. Misita adopted all of his dogs, and their show promotes the importance of pet adoption and healthcare.

Also on Thursday (12:30 PM-3:30PM), "The Field & Stream Celebrity Total Outdoorsman Challenge presented by Mobil 1" will certainly be a highlight. Country Music artists and other celebrities will get to show off their outdoor skills with contests in archery, fly casting, bait casting, and air rifle and attempt to dethrone the two-time Total Outdoorsman Challenge Champion Paul Thompson. Celebrities scheduled to compete include Rhean Boyer of Carolina Rain, Kevin Fowler, Greg Hanna, Daniel Lee Martin, Jeremy McComb, Rusty Tabor, Bryan White, Mark Wills, and more.

NASCAR fans can get autographs from some of the sport's hottest drivers in the Chevy Sports Zone on Thursday (2:30 PM-3:30 PM). Jason Keller (No. 11 America's Incredible Pizza Chevrolet/CJM Racing), Brad Keselowski (No. 88 NAVY Chevrolet/JR Motorsports), David Stremme (No. 64 Atreus Homes and Communities Chevrolet/Rusty Wallace Racing), and Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet/Richard Childress Racing) will all be on hand to sign autographs and meet their fans. 2008 World Series of Asphalt Champion Logan Ruffin will be signing as well. In addition, FLW pro fisherman Luke Clausen and Larry Nixon will be signing and sharing fishing tips.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday (1:00 PM and 3:00 PM), DockDogs Competitions Presented by Outdoor Channel will take place. The competitions will take place in the DockDogs' 25,000 gallon mobile pool. Up to 30 dogs will compete each day in three different events: Big Air® - long jumping for dogs, where dogs compete for longest distance jumped from the end of the dock; Extreme Vertical® - the high jumping equivalent where dogs attempt to grab a bumper at increasing heights; Speed RetrieveT - a speed event where the dog is timed from a "go" signal until a bumper is retrieved at a point a specific distance from the edge of the dock. On Sunday, the winners from Thursday-Saturday will compete for the chance to move on to the United States Championship to be held in Minnesota in the summer. On Sunday (2:00 PM/CT), the DockDogs Celebrity Challenge will team artists and canines for high flying competition. Competitors include CMT's Katie Cook, Julie Roberts, Phil Stacey, Trent Willmon, Mark Wills, and more.

On Friday (11:00 AM-1:00 PM), the Celebrity Sports Challenge Presented by Glaceau VitaminWater® Hosted by Steve Azar will be held in the Chevy Sports Zone. The Sports Challenge is a fan favorite with an astounding array of professional athletes and celebrities competing alongside artists in friendly competitions.  Particiapants include:
. Terry Ahola, U.S. Olympic Ski Team Member
. Deborah Allen, artist
. Bradford Anderson, star of "One Life to Live"
. Jessica Andrews, artist
. Rob Bironas, kicker for the Tennessee Titans
. Bomshel, artist
. Chad Brock, artist
. Jeremy Cain, linebacker for the Tennessee Titans
. Rocky Calmus, NFL linebacker (Tennesee Titans/Indianapolis Colts)
. Carolina Rain, artist
. Steve Cole, former NFL linebacker (Cleveland Browns/Philadelphia Eagles)
. John Castellanos, star of "The Young and The Restless"
. Brad Cotter, artist
. Jim Fitzpatrick, actor
. Colt Ford, artist
. MJ Garrett, from MTV's "The Real World"
. Craig Hentrich, NFL punter (Tennessee Titans/New York Jets/Green Bay Packers)
. James House, artist
. Angela Jerman, LPGA golfer
. Ray Lloyd, professional wrestler
. Steve Lundquist, member of the U.S. Olympic swim team
. Jesse Mahelona, NFL defensive tackle (Tennessee Titans/Atlanta Falcons)
. Marcel, artist
. Brad Mates, of Emerson Drive
. Jason Meadows, artist
. John Adam Murph, artist
. Josh Stamer, linebacker for the Tennessee Titans
. Keni Thomas, artist
. Gino Torretta, NFL quarterback (Minnesota Vikings/Detroit Lions)
. Kevin Turner, NFL running back (New England Patriots/Philaelphia Eagles)
. Two Foot Fred, Muzik Mafia personality
. Gary Valentine, actor
. Jimmie Van Zant, artist
. Bryan White, artist
. Wild Bill, "AM Choppers Show" personality
. Wolf, American Gladiator

At 12:00 PM/CT on Friday, Field & Stream will hold their Total Outdoorsman Challenge local and regional qualifying events in the Chevy Sports Zone. Outdoor enthusiasts will test their skills in archery, air rifle and bait casting skills.  The local qualifier champion will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2008 CMA Awards for two. 

Also on Friday (2:00 PM), the Outdoor Life Calling for Conservation competition will take place. Hosted by Shoot Straight TV's Chad Schearer, this ultimate game-calling contest will highlight the launch of a new conservation program: Outdoor Life's "Project Save-A-Stream," a nationwide program dedicated to cleaning up our waterways. This is a new nationwide program to clean up our waterways. Schearer will lead professional and celebrity callers, including singer Jason Brown, in a contest to determine the best turkey and big game calls. Throughout the coming year, Outdoor Life's "Project-Save-A-Stream" will lend support to water clean-up projects around the country. To nominate a waterway in your area to receive assistance, please visit OutdoorLife.com.

Saturday (11:00 AM-5:00PM) and Sunday (11:00 AM-3:00 PM) in the Chevy Sports Zone, the first ever CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship will take place. Teams from across the nation will compete in four categories (pork ribs, pork shoulder, beef brisket and chicken) for a chance to win a share of more than $17,000 in cash and prizes to be distributed to category winners. The Grand Champion of the CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship will receive $2,500, a CMA Awards trip package for two including accommodations, an invitation to take part in the prestigious KCBS-sanctioned American Royale competition, and eligibility to participate in the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (better known as "The Jack") in late October in Lynchburg, TN. Thirty teams are ready to compete including Lotta Bull (the 2006 KCBS
Team of the Year, featuring head chef Mike Davis); Bigbrig.com (three-time Memphis in May World Champion, featuring head chef Paul Hood); Moonshiners (2007 Jack Daniels World Champion, featuring head chef Chad Hayden); Ulcer Acres (considered the "Reverend of BBQ," featuring Head Chef Randy Twyford); and Buttrub.com (a multiple award winning team at barbeque contests, featuring head chef Byron Chism). Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Tony Conway, Executive Producer of the CMA Music Festival will be among the judges. The winner will be announced Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Country artists can try their hand at bull riding on Saturday (11:00 AM-12:00 PM) during the CBR/RFD-TV Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge. Artists will square off against champion bull riders to see who can make the eight seconds. Hosted by Tuff Hedeman, five-time World Champion and President of CBR, other participants include Jason Brown, Ladden Ledbetter, Jake Littlefield, Josh Newcom, Danny Rivera, Travis Sellers, Wesley Silcox, Trent Willmon, and Steve Woolsey.

Also on Saturday (2:00 PM-4:00 PM) the Chevy Sports Zone will be the location for the Fiesta Celebrity Grilling Challenge. Hosted by Lee McWright, Executive Chef for Fiesta Gas Grills, artists and celebrities will be paired with professional chefs in a culinary competition. Judges include Emma Feigenbaum, Everyday Food Associate Editor and co-host of PBS television series "Everyday Food," and Kay West, food critic, freelance journalist and People correspondent. Competitors include:
. Jason Brumm, owner of radius10 restaurant (Nashville)
. Lorianne Crook, co-host of RFD-TV's "Crook & Chase"
. George Harvell, chef at the Loveless Cafe
. Jamie O'Neal, artist
. Mel Tillis, artist
. Karl Trohaska, chef  at Sheraton Hotels Nashville
. Brian Uhl, Executive Chef at Sunset Grill, Midtown Café and Cabana (Nashville)
. Mark Wills, artist

On Sunday (11:30 AM), "The Third Annual New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race" will take place. During this event, Country Music artitsts and celebrities will race against the clock through an obstacle course on a New Holland Boomer(tm) compact tractor.  In addition to Peterson, participants include:
. Alvarado Road Show, artist
. Rob Bironas, kicker for the Tennessee Titans
. Billy Block, host of "Western Beat"
. Mark Collie, artist
. Kerry Collins, NFL quarterback (Carolina Panthers/Tennessee Titans)
. Joey Feek & Rory Martin Feek, contestants from CMT's "Can You Duet"
. Jimmy Fortune, 2008 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee
. Greg Hanna, artist
. Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board
. Chuck Leavell, Rolling Stones' keyboardist
. Darby Ledbetter, National Guard member
. Zane Lewis, artist
. Daniel Loper, tackle for the Tennessee Titans
. Robert K. Oermann, Country Music historian/journalist
. Danny Rivera, artist
. Michael Roos, offensive tackle for the Tennesee Titans
. Ray Scott, artist
. Keni Thomas, artist
. Jimmie Van Zant, artist
. Trent Willmon, artist
. Billy Yates, artist

The McDonald's®-Dr Pepper® Family Zone is designed for young children as well as the young at heart. This free area, located at the Hall of Fame Park at Fifth Avenue South and Demonbreun Street in front of Hilton Hotel, is open Thursday-Saturday (11:00 AM-5:00 PM); Sunday (11:00 AM-4:00 PM).

At the McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone, kids can climb inflatables, participate in interactive games, arts and crafts, and more, while everyone can enjoy the exhibits, displays, food sampling and giveaways from Coca-Cola®, Dr Pepper, the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, Space Chimps, and Strawberry Shortcake.

CMA Music Festival's younger fans can enjoy live music and stage shows at the Family Zone's Main Stage. Performers slated to appear include Adam and the Couch Potatoes, Katie Chance, Eve and Mare, Grandbob, Tim Hannig's Pro-Kids Show, The Hollow Trees, Kid Fiddlers, Little Nashville, PBS' Miss Lori, Zak Morgan, Nashville Zoo Rainforest Show, Ronald McDonald Show, Dennis Scott, Strawberry Shortcake Show, Taylor Ware, and The Zinghoppers.

For the second year, top high school vocalists from across the country will compete for the prestigious title "Music City Rising Star." Performances will take place Thursday-Friday, on the Main Stage in the Family Zone Plaza. The Grand Champion "Music City Rising Star" will be announced Sunday on the Greased Lightning Riverfront Stages and will perform later that day on the McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone Main Stage. The winner of this competition will receive one free private session with Linda Davis.

On Saturday (10:30 AM-3:00 PM), the 25th Annual YWCA Celebrity Auction will take place. Hosted by Steve Virginia with appearances by Katie Armiger, Jason Michael Carroll, Tennessee Titan Cortland Finnegan, Lady Antebellum, Sherry Lynn, Heidi Newfield, GAC host Storme Warren, and Brent Young, this popular event will feature a special videotaped message from Martina McBride and signed items from Trace Adkins, Alabama, Jason Aldean, Keith Anderson, Asleep at the Wheel, Rodney Atkins, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Jessi Colter, Bucky Covington, Billy Currington, Billy Dean, Little Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Josh Gracin, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Danielle Peck, John Prine, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Blake Shelton, Phil Stacey, Taylor, Swift, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar, Gretchen Wilson, Darryl Worley, Wynonna, and more.

On Sunday (11:30 AM-1:30 PM), McDonald's will provide free lunch to the first 500 guests at the McDonald's Family Picnic.

The Carl Black Chevy booth is the place to go to meet and get autographs from celebrities and artists. Scheduled to appear are Big D & Bubba, Luke Bryan, Crossin Dixon, Adam Gregory, Justin Moore, Heidi Newfield, David St. Romaine, Ashton Shepherd, and Emily West.

Other Family Zone activities include character visits from Wow! Wow! Wubbzy and The Cabbage Patch Kids; and exhibits from Carl Black Chevrolet, Chevy(tm) Safe Kids, Coca-Cola®, and more.

The Fun Zone, located on Broadway between First Avenue South and Third Avenue South, will keep families excited and busy for hours while they enjoy interactive games, activities, celebrity appearances, product samples, giveaways, and more. Cool off on the Nashville Shores Water Slide. Get grilling tips, watch fun cooking demos from Fiesta Gas Grills and register to win a FREE grill. You can also stop by booths from others sponsors including Blue Bell Creameries, The Catfish Institute, CiCi's Pizza®, Facecard, Greased Lightning Cleaning Products, MARTHA WHITE FOODS, Tetley® Iced Tea, VAULT and Waggin' Train.

On Thursday (10:30 AM-12:00 PM), Super 8 will host an autograph signing with famous NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte and will have a register-to-win drawing for an autographed guitar. Super 8 is also sponsoring the "Super 8 Top 8," where attendees can vote at the Super 8 booth for their favorite performances from any of the CMA Music Festival concert stages. The top eight performances will be revealed at LP Field before Sunday night's concert.

Also in the Fun Zone, the USO will partner with CMA and Borders® for "Music Outreach." Borders will collect CDs, books and DVDs purchased by customers to be sent to the troops. Collection areas for these items will be set up at Borders' stores at the truTV Fan Fair Hall, Greased Lightning Riverfront Stages, and at LP Field. All items collected will be donated to the USO for distribution to troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas locations. Tours of the Mobile USO unit will be offered to the general public. There also will be a hospitality area for troops and their families set up in the canteen location. Visitors will have the chance to demonstrate their support for the troops through written greetings via the USO's "Hello! From the Homefront" program.
 
New this year in the Fun Zone is the Hard Rock Outdoor Stage. Free and open to the public, this stage will showcase an array of Country Music artists including Brittini Black, Ash Bowers, Brother Trouble, Jason Brown, The Clark Brothers, Colt Ford, Gloriana, Bailey Grey, Indian Rodeo, Zane Lewis, Cody McCarver, Jason Meadows, Shawna Russell, Two Timers, Whiskey Falls, Mark Wills, Tommy Joe Wilson, The Wrights, and Kyle Wyley.

Put Some Drive In Your Country
The Chevy Plaza, at Fifth Avenue South and Broadway, is free and open to the public. Here fans can participate in the Chevy Ride & Drive Friday through Sunday and test drive some of the hottest Chevy cars and trucks.

In addition, there will be live daily concerts on the Chevy(tm) Stage. Artists participating in the daily concerts include Deborah Allen, Band of Heathens, Sonny Burgess, The Grascals, The Greencards, Hot Apple Pie, James House, Jedd Hughes, James Intveld, Sierra Hull, Kingbilly, La Familia, Little Joe, Lucky Bucks, Bobby Marquez, Daniel Lee Martin, Augie Meyers, Chase Mitchell, Cory Morrow, Mountain Heart, Gary Nichols, One Flew South, Noe Palma, Michael Peterson, Rueben Ramos, Charlie Rich, Jr., Riders in the Sky, Julie Roberts, SteelDrivers, Trent Summar, Keni Thomas, Dan Tyminski, and Michelle Wright.

XM Satellite radio will be broadcasting live each day from the Chevy Plaza.

CMA Celebrity Close Up presented by GAC(tm)
Back by popular demand, The CMA Celebrity Close Up Series presented by GAC, Great American Country Television Network will return to CMA Music Festival for a sixth consecutive year. Hosted by television personality Lorianne Crook, these sessions give fans an in-depth glimpse into an artist's life and personality. Two sessions are scheduled at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

Session One: Thursday (1:30 PM-3:00 PM) with Taylor Swift, Randy Travis and Gretchen Wilson.

 Session Two: Thursday (4:00 PM-5:30 PM) with Bucky Covington, Sara Evans. Joe Nichols, and Jake Owen.

CMA Celebrity Close up presented by GAC is a separately ticketed event. Ticket prices are $12 in advance or $17 the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Fans can also visit www.ticketmaster.com or stop by the Ryman Auditorium Box Office to purchase tickets.

CMA Music Festival After Hours presented by CMT
When the lights go down on LP Field's Nightly Concerts, the festivities are just beginning at 16 downtown clubs and lounges as CMA Music Festival After Hours presented by CMT gets underway.

"The Official CMA After Hours Kick-Off Concerts" will be held at the Hard Rock Outdoor Stage. The concerts will be held Thursday-Saturday following the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Stage at LP Field. These concerts are free and open to the public. Artists participating include The Clark Brothers, Whiskey Falls, and Mark Wills.

Clubs participating in CMA Music Festival After Hours include Bailey's Pub & Grille, B.B. King's Blues Club, Buck Wild Saloon, Cadillac Ranch, Coyote Ugly, Hard Rock Café Nashville, Layla's Bluegrass Inn, Legends Corner, Limelight, Nashville Crossroads, Rippy's Smokin' Bar & Grill, Robert's Western World, Second Fiddle, The Stage on Broadway, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and Wildhorse Saloon.

Hard Rock Café Nashville's Stub Hub Songwriters in the Round will return to the CMA Music Festival After Hours lineup for its second year.  These performances provide fans a glimpse into the stories behind the songs. Broadcast live on XM channel 16, proceeds from these shows benefit Musicians on Call.

Participating songwriters include Jessi Alexander, Dave Berg, Rodney Clawson, Ashley Gorley, Marv Green, Brett James, Luke Laird, Lee Thomas Miller, Tim Nichols, Bobby Pinson, Jon Randall, and Rivers Rutherford.

ABC Daytime Stars Shine at Festival
Stars from ABC's hit daytime dramas will make appearances at the 2008 CMA Music Festival. The actors include Bobbie Eakes ("Krystal Carey") and Ricky Paull Goldin ("Jake Martin") from "All My Children"; Kassie DePaiva ("Blair Cramer") from "One Life To Live"; and Bradford Anderson ("Damian Spinelli"), Rebecca Herbst ("Elizabeth Webber"), and Jason Thompson ("Dr. Patrick Drake") from "General Hospital."

They'll be busy! The actors will host concert performances at the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park; participate in storytelling in the McDonald's - Dr Pepper Family Zone; take part in the Celebrity Sports Challenge presented by Glacèau Vitaminwater, hosted by Steve Azar, in the Chevy Sports Zone; and introduce artists performing, during the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field.

The actors will also make a stop at the ABC Block Party, which takes place on Saturday (1:30-5:00 PM) at the stage facing Fifth Avenue between the Sommet Center and the Hilton Hotel. Fans will enjoy performances, giveaways and special activities at this free event hosted by Bob Guiney of "The Bachelor."
 
Getting Around
A limited number of on-site, pay parking spots ($10 per vehicle) will be available each night at LP Field in Lots E and F, just across the Woodland Street Bridge. This parking lot is not available for pre-purchase. It is available for purchase on-site, on a first-come, first-serve basis Thursday and Friday (after 5:00 PM); and all day Saturday and Sunday. Ample paid surface lots and parking garages are also available in Downtown Nashville, conveniently accessible to LP Field via the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.

CMA Music Festival activities are conveniently located in Downtown Nashville within walking distance. Plus, there is access to free shuttles at major CMA Music Festival event sites for all four-day ticket holders. Downtown shuttles run daily on a continuous loop. Handicapped-accessible shuttle buses are available with attendants to offer assistance.

Shopping
CMA Music Festival attendees can treasure the experience long after the event is over with merchandise purchased at this year's event.

The Festival product line will be available onsite through Music City Merchandise. Booths will be set up at the truTV Fan Fair Hall, Greased Lightning Riverfront Daytime Stages, McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone, and LP Field. Additionally, merchandise will be available at The Sommet Center on Wednesday and Thursday during registration hours. Merchandise is subject to availability. CMA Music Festival stores and store locations are subject to change without notice. For complete merchandise information, or to order online, visit www.CMAfest.com.

Attendees can also purchase music on-site. Borders will have music stores set up at the truTV Fan Fair Hall, Greased Lightning Riverfront Daytime Stages and LP Field.

2008 Ticket Packages Still Available
Four-day ticket packages for 2008 CMA Music Festival are still available. The package categories correspond to different levels of seating at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free. Four-day ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field; Daily Concerts at the Greased Lightning Riverfront Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the truTV Fan Fair Exhibit Hall featuring Mary Kay presents the Acoustic Corner; McDonald's-Dr Pepper Family Zone; Fun Zone; Chevy Sports Zone; Chevy Music Stage; CMA Music Festival After Hours presented by CMT; free in-town shuttles; the award-winning CMA Music Festival Program Book; and CMA Music Festival pin. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices and artists are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.
* NOTE: Please call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) for information on ADA seating, which may be available in Sold Out sections.

2009 CMA Music Festival Tickets
The 2009 CMA Music Festival will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in Downtown Nashville. Tickets for 2009 CMA Music Festival will be available for sale only in Nashville on Saturday and Sunday (9:30 AM-6:00 PM) at The Sommet Center Box Office, 501 Broadway; Saturday (9:30 AM-10:00 PM) at the LP Field Box Office and Sunday (1:00 PM-10:00 PM) at the LP Field Box Office.

Tickets for the 2009 CMA Music Festival will go on-sale nationwide Monday, June 11 (10:00 AM/CT).

To order tickets, call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at 615-255-9600. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to a different level of seating at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE.

2009 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FOUR-DAY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES
LEVEL                            ADULT                          12 & YOUNGER
Gold Circle (Floor)             $300                           &n