Jul 16, 2007

Full week of special telecasts includes exclusive conversations with George Strait, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Sonny James, Harold Bradley, Merle Haggard and Ray Price

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --(July 12, 2007)-- Great American Country television network’s Master Series, the program that focuses on the music of popular country music artists of the 1980s, 1990s and today, is going primetime for a week in July to share the achievements and insights of some of country music’s legendary performers, including 2006 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Hosted by GAC’s Bill Cody, Master Series normally runs in daytime hours, but during the week of 23-27, the popular program gets a special primetime run.

“Our goal at GAC is provide our viewers with a wide variety of country music, from today’s popular artists to those legends who paved the way. The influence of these artists remains potent today, and we want to share that with music fans everywhere,” said Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming at GAC.

Bill Cody with Harold Bradley - photo courtesy of GAC

GAC’s special Master Series Hall of Fame week opens Monday, July 23 (8 p.m. ET) with coverage of the Medallion Ceremony for Harold Bradley, a 2006 inductee into

Sonny James - photo courtesy of GAC

the Country Music Hall of Fame, and includes Cody’s one-on-one interview with Bradley. A noted guitarist and session musician for more than 50 years, Bradley contributed to dozens of well-known country hits.

Tuesday’s (July 24) program focuses on the Medallion Ceremony for Hall of Fame inductee Sonny James, who scored 23 No. 1 hits during his four-decade career. Cody speaks with James about his career and his feelings upon joining other legendary members of the Hall of Fame.

George Strait ambles into the GAC spotlight on Wednesday. The reclusive superstar talks with GAC’s Suzanne Alexander on the Red Carpet about his induction into the Hall of Fame and his stellar career that includes more than 55 No. 1 songs and more than 65 million records sold.

Each of the Medallion programs features interview clips from guest artists who attended the ceremony, as well as comments from the new inductees as they accept their Hall of Fame medallions.

Bill Cody with Kris Kristofferson - photo courtesy of GAC

Kris Kristofferson joins Bill Cody for a special hour of conversation and music on Thursday’s program. Kristofferson is not only a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, he’s a Rhodes Scholar as well. 

Billy Cody with (L-R) Willie Nelseon. Ray Price, and Merle Haggard - photo courtesy of GAC

The week winds down Friday evening with an encore telecast of Cody’s conversation with country music “outlaws,” Willie Nelson, Ray Price and Merle Haggard -- each a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In addition to prime time special telecasts, GAC’s Master Series will continue to air in its regularly-scheduled time slot (Monday-Friday 3 p.m. ET / Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.)

About Great American Country (GAC)

Great American Country is America’s main street for the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. In addition to country music videos, GAC features original programming, special musical performances and live concerts, and is the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. GAC is available in more than 48 million households and online at http://www . GACTV.com .