Brad Paisley and Chris Cagle Added to Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum

Bassmaster Tour Expo to Anchor New Sports Zone

NASHVILLE - The Country Music Association announced this evening that for the first time in the event's 33-year history, 2004 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair® will be the subject of a two-hour television special to be broadcast on the CBS Television Network this summer.

"Finding a network home for a television special centered on CMA Music Festival is monumental for our artists, our industry, our event and our hometown - Music City U.S.A," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "What a terrific platform for reaching music enthusiasts with a front-row seat for 'Country Music's Biggest Party.'"

"With the Network's annual broadcast of the CMA Awards, we have established a successful partnership with the Country Music Association," said Jack Sussman, Senior Vice President, Specials, CBS.  "We are excited at the prospect of expanding that relationship with them this summer on what promises to be a spectacular Country Music special."

Not only does the television special coincide with the busy summer touring season, it offers viewers a close-up view of some of the most exciting, energetic and talented performers in the format in their natural habitat - on stage, entertaining fans.   

"We are thrilled to extend our relationship with CBS Television which also broadcasts the CMA Awards each November," Benson said. "This is a great opportunity for Country Music to have another, nationally-televised program exposing our music to viewers across the country."

"This is a great opportunity for artists at all levels in our genre because they all get to do their own thing at this festival," commented Kix Brooks, half of Country Music super duo Brooks & Dunn and President of the CMA Board of Directors. "Hopefully this television special will show people across America how much fun is going on here and the unique stories that are happening at CMA Music Festival."

Today's announcement was made during a party at The Coliseum, home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans and the nightly, star-packed CMA Music Festival concerts. The television special, like the CMA Awards will be a Country Music Association production, and it is to be produced by Robert Deaton of Nashville-based Deaton Flanigen Productions.  It will showcase all aspects of CMA Music Festival, which has been called the "crown jewel" of Country Music festivals by USA Today. 

Chely Wright, who recently released her first single on newly-formed Vivaton Records, offered, "Anytime you can get an event on network TV, it's really beneficial. I think the whole approach to what the CMA Music Festival is trying to do is fresh and exciting. They are going to show what it's like to be a Country Music fan, a Country Music artist and a person who lives in Nashville!"

"We're impressed about the vision that CMA has given to this. They are out there dreaming big," said Michael Reynolds of BNA Records group Pinmonkey. "They are going to be able to bring Country Music into the living rooms of a lot of people, and maybe next year those people will be out here with us at CMA Music Festival having a good time!"

CMA Music Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13, 2004 in Downtown Nashville with hundreds of artists and celebrities and more than 45 hours of music and activities happening morning, noon, night - and even later for the party hearty. The events and concerts are centrally located with easy access from site-to-site by foot or on the CMA Music Festival free in-town shuttles. At the core, CMA Music Festival is a four-day celebration of the artists, the music and the fans that love it.

The Coliseum
Expect fireworks - in the sky and on the stage - during the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum. The Coliseum offers state-of-the-art production, two huge stages for continuous entertainment and giant screens capturing all of the excitement. Artists are still being added to the star-packed lineup with Chris Cagle and Brad Paisley joining the impressive list of performers, that includes Trace Adkins; Dierks Bentley; Clint Black; Brooks & Dunn; Glen Campbell; Terri Clark; Billy Ray Cyrus; Charlie Daniels; Diamond Rio; Sara Evans; Vince Gill; Buddy Jewell; Lonestar; Jo Dee Messina; Joe Nichols; LeAnn Rimes; Keith Urban; Clay Walker; Darryl Worley and Wynonna.

Greased Lightning® Riverfront Park Stages
If the evening concerts at The Coliseum provide full-tilt excitement, the Daily Concerts at the Greased Lightning® Riverfront Park Stages offer a more intimate setting for daylong, non-stop entertainment from many of Country Music's favorite hitmakers.

Jessi Alexander; Jessica Andrews; BlackHawk; Suzy Bogguss; Jim Ed Brown; T. Graham Brown; Tammy Cochran; Helen Cornelius; Cowboy Crush; Billy Currington; Lee Greenwood; Andy Griggs; J. Michael Harter; Hilljack; Jan Howard; Jedd Hughes; Stonewall Jackson; Miranda Lambert; Lila McCann; Brian McComas; Neal McCoy; Mountain Heart; Colt Prather; Julie Roberts; Jeannie Seely; Doug Stone; Sugarland; Mel Tillis; Tanya Tucker; Lane Turner; Rhonda Vincent; The Wilkinsons; Trent Willmon; Mac Wiseman and Gretchen Wilson are the latest artists added to the growing list of performers.

Artists already announced include Lynn Anderson; Sherrié Austin; Steve Azar; David Ball; Jeff Bates; Bellamy Brothers; John Berry; Blue County; BR549; Lane Brody; Cooder Graw; Joe Diffie; Eddie Bayers & The Players; Jolie Edwards; Scotty Emerick; Jennifer Hanson; Ty Herndon; The Jenkins; Royal Wade Kimes; Johnny Lee; Aaron Lines; Little Big Town; Little Texas; Daniel Lee Martin; John Arthur Martinez; Mel McDaniel; Craig Morgan; David Lee Murphy; The Oak Ridge Boys; Jamie O'Neal; James Otto; The Pajama Party (featuring Deborah Allen, The Kinleys and Michelle Wright); Lee Roy Parnell; Pinmonkey; Rachel Proctor; Dan and Jim Seals; Jeffrey Steele; Jimmy Wayne and Mark Wills.

Wrangler® Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall)
Nearby you will find the epicenter of the fan/celebrity bonding experience in the Exhibit Hall at the Nashville Convention Center, now proudly carrying the Fan Fair name and sponsored by Wrangler®. A traditional favorite, the lifestyle exhibits and autograph booths are filling up with legends, today's hitmakers and fan favorites, who have reserved booth space for their fan clubs where they will pose for pictures and sign autographs.

Add Trace Adkins; John Berry; Blue County; Tracy Byrd; Ty England; Bill Engvall; 4Runner; Andy Griggs; Eric Heatherly; Steve Holy; Buddy Jewell; Larry the Cable Guy; Lonestar; Jo Dee Messina; John Michael Montgomery; Jamie O'Neal; Blake Shelton; Trick Pony; Josh Turner; Phil Vassar; Bryan White; Mark Wills; Brad Wolf and Darryl Worley to the roster of artists scheduled to appear.

Artists already announced include Alabama; Bill Anderson; Billy "Crash" Craddock; Charlie Daniels; Kassie DePaiva; Diamond Rio; Donna Fargo; Royal Wade Kimes; Daniel Lee Martin; LeAnn Rimes; Rushlow; Sawyer Brown; Marty Stuart; Trini Triggs and the stars of NBC Daytime dramas "Days of our Lives" and "Passions."
 
Sports Zone
New in 2004 is the Sports Zone adjacent to The Coliseum and the Cumberland River, where artists and celebrities will battle in friendly competitions including the "Third Annual Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament."

An exciting addition to this year's CMA Music Festival is the Bassmaster Tour Expo, which will anchor the new Sports Zone. The Expo will provide the interactive exhibits, children's activities and merchandise that it brings to the popular CITGO Bassmaster Tour and Bassmaster Elite 50 series.            

"Bass fishing and Country Music are two great American traditions," said Dean Kessel, Vice President and General Manager, B.A.S.S. "This is an excellent way to bring our two audiences together and we are looking forward to participating in a terrific weekend of music, sports and entertainment." 

"The relationship between Country Music artists and fishing is long and illustrious," Benson said. "Anglers have hooks and so do our songwriters; fishermen know the benefit of a well-placed line and so do our artists. I couldn't imagine a better partner for CMA Music Festival."

B.A.S.S. is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning more than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation.

Bush's® Baked Beans Family Zone
For even more family fun during CMA Music Festival, visit the Bush's® Baked Beans Family Zone to meet famous spokesduo Jay Bush and his talking dog Duke. While there, families can enjoy interactive games, inflatable activities, storytelling, face painting, music, cooking demonstrations, exhibits, artist appearances and more suited for people of all ages.

CMA Celebrity Close Up Series
For a deeper look into the lives of some of our musical heroes and their road to stardom, there is the CMA Celebrity Close Up series (formerly the Celebrity Lecture Series), with two question-and-answer sessions Friday, June 11 hosted by media personality Lorianne Crook. Held at the historic Ryman Auditorium, CMA Celebrity Close Up gives fans an opportunity to submit questions for the celebrity participants. Artists participating in the CMA Celebrity Close Up series will be announced soon. A separate ticket is required for each session. Call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) for advance, reserved tickets at $10 ($15 at the door).

CMA Music Festival After Hours™
For late-night music enthusiasts, the fun doesn't stop at the close of the Nightly Concerts. CMA Music Festival After Hours™ keeps the party going until the wee hours with many clubs in Downtown Nashville featuring intimate performances from today's rising stars as well as the best local talent with specials for CMA Music Festival ticket holders.

Tickets
Four-day ticket packages (priced $145 and $125 for adults; and $100 and $86 for children 14 and younger) are on sale now. Children 3 and younger are admitted for free making CMA Music Festival a family-friendly vacation destination.

Ticket packages are divided into four categories, based on the level of reserved seating at The Coliseum (the Gold Circle ticket package is already sold out). Ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at Greased Lightning® Riverfront Park Stages; the Wrangler® Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall); Sports Zone; Bush's® Baked Beans Family Zone; CMA Music Festival After Hours™ free in-town shuttles to major event sites; the official CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; and special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops and more.

Separate tickets are required for each session of the CMA Celebrity Close Up series. Additional admission tickets for the Greased Lightning® Riverfront Park Stages will be available each day at the gate for $12 each (while they last), with children ages 6 and younger admitted free.

To purchase ticket packages, order over the phone by calling, toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or (615) 255-9600; to download an order form visit www.CMAfest.com; or visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Children age 3 and younger are admitted free. Ticket prices and artists appearing are subject to change without notice. Order now for the best available reserved seat at The Coliseum. All sales are final and non-refundable.

Shuttle service from outlying areas of Nashville to CMA Music Festival events will be available from several park-and-ride locations with unlimited access on the Gray Line Satellite Shuttle. To purchase a separate pass and to make advance Gray Line Satellite Shuttle reservations, call 1-800-251-1864 or (615) 883-5555.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for e-news. 2004 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Country Weekly is an official media partner. MJI Programming, a division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the official radio broadcaster. Promotional partners include American Airlines, B.A.S.S.®, Buffalo Trace™ Bourbon, Bush's® Baked Beans, Camping World, Carl Black Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Greased Lightning®, NBC Daytime and Wrangler®. Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA.