Heart-tugging stories and riveting musical performances are the heart and soul of summerís hottest special ìCMA Music Festival: Country Musicís Biggest Party,î which airs Tuesday, Aug. 2 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
ìThe special aims to capture it all ñ the unique interaction and admiration between the artists and their fans and knock-you-to-your-knees performances by some of our formatís most compelling stars,î said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson.
Added to the list of performers on the special are Dierks Bentley (ìHow Am I Doiní?î); Sara Evans (ìPerfectî); Jo Dee Messina (ìMy Give A Damnís Bustedî); Dolly Parton and The Grascals (ìViva Las Vegasî); Sugarland (ìSomething Moreî); CMAís reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Keith Urban (ìWho Wouldnít Wanna Be Meî); and Trisha Yearwood (ìGeorgia Rainî). Several of todayís top hit makers are already scheduled to perform including Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy (ìRolliní (The Ballad of Big & Rich)î); Alan Jackson (ìWhere I Come Fromî); Rascal Flatts (ìFast Cars and Freedomî); and Gretchen Wilson, who will perform the network television debut of her single ìAll Jacked Up.î More artists will be announced soon. CMA Music Festival is about more than the music. For 34 years, the cornerstone of the annual event has been the relationship between the artists, the fans and their mutual love for the music. The special was taped in Nashville June 9-12 during the Festival, a four-day love fest attended by more than 145,000 Country Music enthusiasts from around the world.
In one segment during the special, a group of five young musical prodigies from Texas, California and Florida get to meet and perform with two of their musical heroes. Hosted by Kix Brooks, of super duo Brooks & Dunn, he puts the aspiring impresarios through their paces before introducing them to Ricky Skaggs and legendary Earl Scruggs.
ìI was listening to him on my iPod on the way over,î exclaimed fiddle player Christian, 13, of California.
ìBeing a banjo player, itís pretty incredible to be playing for the master,î added Corey, 15, of Florida.
The music masters, including Brooks blowing a mean harmonica, joined the impromptu bluegrass band on the stage of the Coliseum for a full-tilt performance of the Scruggsí classic, ìFoggy Mountain Breakdown.î
ìWhen you see hungry hearts like that, you want to feed them,î said Skaggs. ìAnd they appreciate it, and they will never forget it.î
The special is a CMA production. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, and Gary Halvorson is the director.
2006 CMA Music Festival Tickets
2006 CMA Music Festival will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 8-11, in Downtown Nashville and tickets are available now.
To order tickets for the 2006 CMA Music Festival 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 (615) 255-9600. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.
Four-day ticket package categories correspond to a different level of reserved seating at The Coliseum. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free. Four-day ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) featuring the Acoustic Corner; Family Zone; Fun Zone; Sports Zone and performance stage; CMA Music Festival After Hoursô; free in-town shuttles; the CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops and more.
source: Country Music Association
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