Performers Announced for 2009 CMA Music Festival

Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire to Perform in June During Nashville‘s 4-Day, Signature Musical Event

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 11 /PRNewswire/ — The initial lineup of performers for 2009 CMA Music Festival is a strong mix of superstars and fan favorites.

“The talented folks that make up our initial artist lineup leave me in awe every time they perform,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We know our attendees are going to be thrilled.”

The list of performers on the main stage during the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT(TM) Concert Stage at LP Field includes:

• Former CMA Entertainer of the Year and four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner Reba McEntire, who last performed at the Festival in 2007.
• Four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner Martina McBride, who last performed at the Festival in 2007.
• Reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Award winner Lady Antebellum.
• Festival favorite and five-time CMA Award nominee Trace Adkins.
• Country Music entertainer and “Dancing with the Stars” sensation Julianne Hough.
• Musical firebrand and six-time CMA Award nominee Miranda Lambert.

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

The 2009 CMA Music Festival benefits music education in Music City. CMA, in a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, has donated $2,245,421 to further music education programs for the more than 75,000 children in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The philanthropic program, aptly titled “Keep the Music Playing,” was founded in 2005 as a way for the CMA Music Festival and its participating artists to give back to the community.

“We are thankful to our artist community for donating their time to CMA Music Festival in order to support music education in our local public schools,” said Genovese.

Tickets for 2009 CMA Music Festival are available now. To order, 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 1-800-745-3000. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.

2009 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FOUR-DAY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES

    LEVEL                            ADULT                  12 & YOUNGER
    Gold Circle (Floor)             SOLD OUT                    N/A
    Floor (Field)                   SOLD OUT                 SOLD OUT
    Lower Level                       $155                     $109
    Club Level                        $145                     $102
    Upper Level: Reserved             $120                      $84
    Upper Level: General Admission    $110                      $78

* NOTE: Please call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) for information on ADA seating, which may be available in Sold Out sections.

A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are available. Call toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) to order. The price is $31 for cars; $63 for vans/shuttles; and $123 for RVs/motor coaches. Prices do not include handling fee. Spaces are limited, and no overnight parking is allowed. All persons planning to park at LP Field must pre-purchase the parking pass. Free shuttles (for four-day registrants) will run daily between major Festival event locations.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news. The site will be updated during the week of Mar. 16- 20 with an all-new look for 2009. MySpace users may want to visit www.MySpace.com/cmamusicfestival, while Facebook users can check out www.Facebook.com/pages/Country-Music-Association/19262061270.

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

SOURCE Country Music Association