Lee Ann Womack will participate in CMA Celebrity Close Up, an intimate question-and-answer session hosted by Great American Country (GAC) host Lorianne Crook, to be held Thursday, Nov. 2 (6:30 PM/CST) at the Wildhorse Saloon in Downtown Nashville. Photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

NASHVILLE - CMA Celebrity Close Up, an intimate question-and-answer session hosted by Great American Country (GAC) host Lorianne Crook with guests Van Zant and Lee Ann Womack,  has been added to "Nashville Celebrates Country," a week of activities leading up to "The 40th Annual CMA Awards."

CMA Celebrity Close Up will be held Thursday, Nov. 2 (6:30 PM/CST) at the Wildhorse Saloon, 120 Second Avenue North, Nashville. General admission tickets cost $12 and are available at the door and by calling the Wildhorse Saloon (615) 902-8200, and through Ticketmaster (615) 255-9600 or www.ticketmaster.com

GAC, the presenting sponsor, will tape the event for a future television broadcast by the same name on the Country-themed network.

"GAC has been a tremendous supporter of this series during CMA Music Festival and the popularity of the format with the artists and the fans, made it a natural choice to include as part of the activities leading up to the CMA Awards," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese.

CMA Celebrity Close Up was created in 2003 to provide an avenue for artist/fan interaction during CMA Music Festival. Celebrities from music and television answer fan questions in a forum moderated by Crook, a GAC television personality. The artists discuss their lives, careers, and offer a sneak peak at their future projects.

Van Zant will participate in CMA Celebrity Close Up, an intimate question-and-answer session hosted by Great American Country (GAC) host Lorianne Crook, to be held Thursday, Nov. 2 (6:30 PM/CST) at the Wildhorse Saloon in Downtown Nashville. Photo courtesy of Columbia Records.

The Nov. 2 edition features six-time CMA Awards winner Womack, and the duo Van Zant, made up of Southern rock royalty brothers Donnie Van Zant (38 Special) and Johnny Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd). The pair received their second CMA Awards nomination in 2006 for Vocal Duo of the Year.

"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live on the ABC Television Network Monday, Nov. 6 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville.

"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer; Robert Deaton is the Consulting Producer; Paul Miller is the Director; and David Wild will script the ceremonies. Premiere Radio Network is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2006 CMA Awards. Chevy, an American Revolution, is the official ride of the 2006 CMA Awards. Additional promotional partners include aolmusic.com, Camping World®, Carl Black Chevrolet, Coca-Cola®, Country Music Television, Inc.®, Crisco®, Greased Lightning Cleaning Products®, Hallmark Cards®, Miller Brewing Company®, Prilosec OTC®, Purity Dairies®, T.G.I. Friday's®, The Biography Channel and Yankee Candle®. Charles Fazzino is the official artist of the 2006 CMA Awards.