SPONSOR

Sunday, 7 June, 2009 9:31 PM

More Artists Added to CMA Music Festival Lineup

Anticipation is building for CMA Music Festival as Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, and Wynonna (with a special appearance by The Judds) are added to the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field. The four-day Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in Downtown Nashville.

"Rascal Flatts remains one of today's great musical entertainers and we are thrilled to have them at CMA Music Festival," said CMA CEO Tammy Genovese. "We're also excited to welcome Darius Rucker to our event for the first time, and to welcome back Wynonna and Naomi. We know our attendees are going to have a fantastic time."

After winning CMA Horizon Award in 2002, Rascal Flatts has gone on to win CMA Vocal Group of the Year Award for six consecutive years (2003-2008). The talented trio of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney has sold nearly 20 million albums, scored 10 No.1 singles and 18 Top 10 hits since launching their career in 2000. Their newest album Unstoppable debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

Country Music fans welcomed Rucker with open arms during the past year. He released his debut solo album Learn to Live, which spawned two No. 1 singles (so far): "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" and "It Won't Be Like This for Long." After touring earlier this year with Brad Paisley, Rucker will soon hit the road with Rascal Flatts. Rucker first came to prominence as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the pop group Hootie & The Blowfish, whose 1994 debut, Cracked Rear View, sold more than 16 million copies to become one of the best-selling albums in history. Rucker has found a new home in the Country format and intends to continue recording and releasing records to Country radio.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of a superstar performer with a name and a voice that is instantly recognizable around the world, Wynonna. She has sold more than 10 million albums since launching her solo career in 1992. Prior to that as a member of The Judds with her mother Naomi Judd, she sold more than 20 million albums and received nine CMA Awards. Wynonna recently released her seventh solo studio album, Sing: Chapter 1, an eclectic assortment of standards paying homage to all the different genres and songs that have formed the soundtrack to her life.

Artists currently scheduled to appear at LP Field include (in alphabetical order):

Thursday, June 11 - Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Julianne Hough, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker.

Friday, June 12 - Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen and Zac Brown Band.

Saturday, June 13 - Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack and Wynonna (with a special appearance by The Judds).

Sunday, June 14 - Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich and Taylor Swift.

Additional artists will be announced soon. Surprise guests have also become a hallmark of the Festival, enriching an already star-packed lineup. Artists and schedules are subject to change. Visit www.CMAfest.com for updated performance schedules.

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.

Single tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are on sale for $40 for reserved seats on the lower and club levels, and $30 for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field (plus applicable handling fees).

Four-day ticket packages for CMA Music Festival are also available. The four-day ticket package includes the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field, exclusive access to the Greased Lightning Fan Fair Hall in the Nashville Convention Center, early admittance to Riverfront Park for the Daytime Stage concerts, exclusive access to the Photo Lines at LP Field and Riverfront Park, exclusive access to shuttles between event sites, admission to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts (June 8-15), and a registration bag with collectible pin, souvenir program book and more.

This is all in addition to the free areas, which include: the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park, Dr Pepper-McDonald's Family Zone in Hilton Park, Chevy Music Stage at the Sommet Center Plaza, Chevy Sports Zone, Fun Zone, Music City Zone in the Public Square, the Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade and the Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party.

2009 CMA Music Festival Four Day Ticket prices are: Gold Circle (SOLD OUT); Floor Level (adults $175: ages 12 and younger 123); Lower Level (adults $155: ages 12 and youger $109); Club Level (adults $145: ages 12 and younger $102); Upper Level reserved (adults $120: ages 12 and younger $84); Upper Level general admission (adults $110: ages 12 and younger $78).

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

Order single tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts or four-day ticket packages at 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378), www.CMAfest.com, www.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster outlets. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.

A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are available to order at 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) and prices include: $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.

The first round of performers to be announced for the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park are listed below in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 11
The Bellamy Brothers, Diamond Rio, Neal McCoy, Heidi Newfield, James Otto, Randy Rogers Band, Ashton Shepherd, Phil Vassar and Chuck Wicks

Friday, June 12
John Anderson, Eric Church, Bucky Covington, "The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party" (featuring Trent Willmon, Jeff Bates, Mark Wills), Randy Houser, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O'Neal, Aaron Tippin and Clay Walker

Saturday, June 13
Bill Anderson, Keith Anderson, Tracy Byrd, Jason Michael Carroll, Emerson Drive, The Lost Trailers, Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan and Chris Young

Sunday, June 14
Eli Young Band, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, Jessica Harp, Joey + Rory, Joe Nichols, Collin Raye, Restless Heart and Darryl Worley

More artists will be announced soon. Artists and schedules are subject to change. Visit www.CMAfest.com for updated schedules.

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. Partners include: Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music; CMT; Dr Pepper; Durango; Greased Lighting; Great American Country (GAC); McDonald's; VAULT Citrus Soda; and Wrangler: The Exclusive Jean of the CMA Music Festival. CMA Music Festival® and Fan Fair® are registered trademarks of CMA.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for CMA Exclusive e-news.

AmericaJR.com is Detroit's exclusive media outlet for this syndicated weekly column!

Join our Web Team...You'll get professional experience in the real world. There are benefits waiting for you. For more information, send an e-mail to americajr@yahoo.com. We are looking for news articles and reviews of music, movies, video games and sports. Thanks for all your help!