Taylor Swift has taught a generation of kids to appreciate country music over the last five years. Now, she’s donating $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to make sure that education continues.

The gift is the largest given to the museum by an artist and is the second largest from an individual, officials said. It will fund the Taylor Swift Education Center, an exhibit and classroom space scheduled to open in 2014.

“In terms of what it will allow us to do, we do education very well now,” museum director Kyle Young said. “It will allow us to do what we do better, serve more people, develop new programs and I’m happy to say that as we talked through this opportunity with Taylor, she very much wants to be involved in an advisory capacity in what we do. Is there a better person out there who’s in touch with a young audience? I think not. I was joking we should be paying her to do that. I was only joking.”

The new education center is part of the museum’s $75 million “Working on a Building” expansion project that will increase the space more than 200,000 square feet to 350,000. The expansion is part of the new convention center project in downtown Nashville and will include a new concert theater, more room for exhibits and archives, and a shared entrance with a new hotel.

Swift’s education center will have its own exterior entrance and is 7,500 square feet-plus spread over two stories. It will include three classrooms and exhibit space and will allow the museum to add to its youth education programs. The new space will house interactive activities such as a musical petting zoo and a “wet” classroom space to make concert posters and other art projects. The expansion also would allow the museum to start new programs and workshops and for teens and senior citizens as well as continuing workshops.

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter is country music’s top-selling artist and current ambassador to the world. The six-time Grammy winner is a two-time winner of both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music entertainer of the year awards and has taken the genre to Asia, Europe and Australia as well as the top of the U.S. pop charts.

She has a long history with the museum. One of her first public performances was on the building’s plaza. She signed her record contract there. And she has donated her time to the museum’s “All For The Hall” fundraisers.

“For Taylor to want to engage herself in the life of this place in such an appropriate way … every way you slice it and dice it, it’s great for this place,” Young said.

Little Big Town will host the 6th Annual Ride For A Cure June 10. The charity motorcycle ride benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation launches at 10:30am from Franklin, TN’s Mickey Roo’s (509 Hillsboro Rd.) and ends with a noon lunch and All-Star Jam Session at the Harley-Davidson Columbia Superstore (1616 Harley Davidson Blvd., Columbia, TN). Performers include Lauren Alaina, Dean Alexander, Love And Theft and LBT.

For more information click HERE.

The show that made country music famous is scheduled to salute heroes of the U.S. military with all-star performances Tuesday, May 22. Performers slated for the evening include Opry members Rascal Flatts, Montgomery Gentry, and Ronnie Milsap, along with Kellie Pickler.

“This show continues the Opry’s long and very important tradition of recognizing our nation’s armed forces with a hail and ‘thank you’,” said Opry vice president and general manager Pete Fisher. “Country music is America’s music, and we look forward to some of our most talented country artists coming home to the Opry to play America’s music for the nation’s heroes– both those in the Opry House Tuesday night and those who will tune in to broadcasts later in the week.”

The show will air as the premiere 90-minute episode of “Noteworthy at the Opry” on GAC: Great American Country Sat., May 26 9:00 p.m. ET. The 16-episode series will feature musical performances and personal stories from top acts in country music plus interviews with other celebrities about the artists and music featured in each episode.

“Noteworthy at the Opry” is sponsored by Dish Network, and the premiere episode is co-sponsored by Opry presenting sponsor Humana®. Humana recently launched a “Veterans Initiative” – committing to hiring 1,000 military veterans over a three-year period while also contributing $1 million to the national Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV). The EBV, founded at Syracuse University in 2007, will be featured as part of this special “Noteworthy at the Opry” telecast.

The special show will also be seen by U.S. military around the world via the American Forces Television Network.

Click HERE for tickets for Tuesday, May 22.

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Last night, Lady Antebellum and thousands of generous fans joined together at Louisville, KY’s KFC Yum! Center tonight to raise more than $285,000 for the Henryville, IN community. All proceeds will be distributed through the New Hope/Indiana Bankers Association for the Disaster Relief Fund.

The group hosted a private prom event with Henryville High School’s Juniors and Seniors where they surprised the students a with an acoustic performance, which was followed by an arena concert open to the public.

“This event started as an idea we had in the studio last year to crash someone’s prom we had no idea at the time it would fill such a need. We are amazed by the support we’ve gotten from our fans, sponsors and the press. This is one of the proudest moments in our career!” – Hillary Scott

Lady A and ABC’s JuJu Chang visited Henryville High School yesterday where they toured the devastated school that is currently under construction and planning to reopen this fall. The community’s inspiring story and highlights from the day will air tomorrow on Good Morning America, World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, Nightline, ABC Radio and on ABC affiliates across the country. Additional national and local media supporters will air special content from the event throughout the week. For more information click HERE.

In March, Lady Antebellum began a contest offering fans a chance to Own The Night with a private concert at their prom. The trio unanimously chose the community of Henryville, IN for their story, resilience and unity following devastating tornadoes. Lipton also came on board to help with the event in the spirit of their Drink Positive and Live Positive message, a campaign that Lady A already supports.

John Rich, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Jeff Foxworthy and Big & Rich will perform at the St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends concert on June 5 at the Cannon Center in Memphis, Tennessee. The event will serve as the first-ever concert kick off for the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic. Window World® and First Tennessee Bank will be serving as presenting sponsors for the event. This year, as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization is thankful to all of its supporters who make it possible for the hospital to provide exceptional care to children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases, all while ensuring that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.

“The John Rich & Friends concert is an incredible way for us to kick off this year’s FedEx St. Jude Classic and celebrate the 50th anniversary of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude. “This year’s tournament is about so much more than golf. We’ve planned a full week of events for our supporters to enjoy while also helping St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children.”

St. Jude patient Ben is especially looking forward to the concert. In 2011, on the day Ben, 19, was admitted to St. Jude, Rich made a special appearance at the hospital. Rich spent time with Ben that day and invited him to attend a concert when he was feeling better. Ben is just one of the many patients who have been touched by Rich in his 15 years of dedication to St. Jude.

“St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital holds a very special place in my heart, that’s why I’m excited to kick off the FedEx St. Jude Classic with the John Rich & Friends concert,” said Rich. “I don’t know how you could spend your time any better on this earth than to support something like St. Jude. It’s truly God’s work – taking care of them babies.”

The FedEx St. Jude Classic has raised more than $25 million to help St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children. In addition to the concert, other special events include the Danny Thomas Pro-Am, Champions Pro-Am, Michelob Ultra Party Tent, a fun-filled Kid Zone and the Super T concert “after party.” By purchasing tickets to the concert and tournament attendees will participate in family-friendly entertainment and sporting events while helping St. Jude do everything it can to save the lives of children battling cancer and other deadly diseases.

Window World, America’s largest replacement window and home remodeling company, is the national presenting sponsor and plays an important role in the success of the St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends concert. Window World Cares™, the charitable foundation of Window World, has raised more than $2.3 million in support of St. Jude and also hosts a holiday party each December for the patients and their families. In 2010, St. Jude named Window World the New Corporate Partner of the Year.

First Tennessee Bank is the Mid-South presenting sponsor for the concert and shares a long history with St. Jude over the past 50 years. First Tennessee’s direct support has been well over $1.3 million dollars in addition to the bank providing volunteers and important sponsorship for many local events that benefit St. Jude. Dollar General, Delta Dental, Kroger and Brooks Brothers are also acting as contributing sponsors for this event.

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In a city famous for live music, Kenny Chesney and band took the stage on May 12 at the House of Blues in New Orleans to wrap up the 3rd Annual “Amazing Race” Charity Event. The race is a signature event of the Brees Dream Foundation, which was founded by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and wife Brittany. This year, the event partnered with the Just Keep Livin Foundation, founded by Matthew McConaughey and fiancée Camila Alves.

Of the show Chesney said, “We’ve been in tour rehearsals for weeks now so it was great for us to get on stage and feel the energy and feedback from the crowd. Tonight was all about playing music to help celebrate this great event. People in this town love music and helping out their neighbor and I was glad to be a part of it.”

The intimate setting of the House of Blues allowed for some very special moments. A one of kind auction item allowing the highest bidder to sing on stage with Kenny raised $10,000. The two sang his # 1 hit, “Somewhere With You.” The night ended with Drew Brees and Matthew McConaughey uniting with Chesney on stage for an encore performance of Chesney’s gridiron anthem, “Boys of Fall.” “Kenny has been a dear friend and always expressed interest in working with the foundation. This is such a wonderful way to end the race and his support means the world to us,” said Brees and McConaughey.

With the ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour kick off only three weeks away, it’s back to rehearsals for Chesney and crew. The all stadium, 20 + city tour with longtime friend Tim McGraw, begins in Tampa, FL on June 2. In addition, Chesney’s highly anticipated 13th studio album, ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’, is available June 19.

The Brees Foundation and the Just Keep Livin’ Foundations partnered for the 3rd Annual “Amazing Race” which provides after school fitness and wellness programs in the New Orleans area. All proceeds from the event will benefit the charities as well as go towards providing care, education and opportunities for children and families in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

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Country music legend Loretta Lynn announced Thursday evening from the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium during Opry Country Classics that she has chosen Grammy® and Golden Globe nominated actress and star of FOX TV’s hit show, “New Girl,” Zooey Deschanel to portray her in an upcoming Broadway-bound stage adaptation of Coal Miner’s Daughter. Following the announcement, Ms. Deschanel joined the country music icon onstage for a duet of Ms. Lynn’s signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

The onstage announcement and performance mirrored the 1979 Grand Ole Opry appearance where Ms. Lynn invited a young Sissy Spacek onstage to announce that she had chosen the actress to portray her in the forthcoming film. Ms. Spacek went on to win the Academy Award for her performance.

“It’s a long way from Butcher Holler to Broadway in New York City. I never imagined I’d see Coal Miner’s Daughter on a movie screen, and now I can’t believe it’s going to be on a stage for people to see,” says Ms. Lynn. “I’m going to be right there in the front row. And I know Zooey is going to be great – she sings and writes her own songs just like I do, and we even have the same color eyes!”

“Loretta Lynn and her music have been inspirations for me for as long as I can remember,” said Ms. Deschanel. “She is a true legend and to be chosen to play such an iconic woman is a dream come true.”

The Broadway-bound stage version of Coal Miner’s Daughter will tell the remarkable story of country music legend Loretta Lynn, from her impoverished Kentucky childhood to her unlikely and triumphant rise to become the First Lady of Country Music and one of the greatest women of her generation.

Coal Miner’s Daughter will be brought to the stage by two of Broadway’s most prolific, Tony Award-winning producers, Fox Theatricals (Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacson) and Scott Sanders Productions, which have collectively brought some of the biggest hits to the stage, including Legally Blonde, The Color Purple, Red, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Death of a Salesman with Brian Dennehy, Elaine Stritch: At Liberty, and the current revival of Evita starring Ricky Martin.

The creative team and dates for the production will be announced in the coming months. The schedule will not conflict with Ms. Deschanel’s current commitment to the hit FOX TV show, “New Girl,” on which she stars and produces.

2012 CMA Music Festival, Country Music’s hottest event of the year, is just weeks away in June, but the Country Music Association is already planning for next year as tickets for 2013 CMA Music Festival (June 6-9, 2013) go on sale this Saturday, May 19 at 10:00 AM/CT.

Beginning Saturday, fans can order tickets by calling the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. To purchase tickets online, visit www.ticketmaster.com. 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 seating at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free.

“We hear frequently from our fans, and they are telling us they want to buy tickets for next year’s Festival now,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “CMA Music Festival has always been about the fans since it started as Fan Fair in 1972. We are happy to fulfill their request and make next year’s tickets available earlier than ever before.”

Fans who are followers of CMA’s Facebook page and Twitter feed, plus all subscribers to CMA Exclusive and the CMA Mob can take advantage of a pre-sale opportunity to buy 2013 CMA Music Festival tickets this week, beginning today. Anyone interested in joining CMA’s social audience can visit CMAfest.com, or join the CMA Mob by texting keyword FESTIVAL to shortcode 66937.

2013 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL- FOUR DAY TICKET PACKAGE PRICES
SEATING LEVEL
Gold Circle (sections A-E) – $350
Floor – $250
Lower Level Premium – $250
Lower Level – $200
Club Level Premium – $200
Club Level – $160
Upper Level Reserved – $135
Upper Level General Admission – $125

Featuring concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more, CMA Music Festival is the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience – a four-day celebration of America’s music. In 2011, the event drew a record-setting 65,000 fans from all 50 states and 26 nations and, for the second consecutive year, sold out in advance each night at LP Field for the star-packed Nightly Concerts. According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, direct visitor spending generated by the Festival totaled more than $30 million. CMA Music Festival is a four-time winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet™ is the Official Ride of Country Music. BIC is an Official Partner of the 2012 CMA Music Festival. Connect with CMA online at CMAfest.com, Facebook.com/CMA and Twitter.com/CountryMusic.

Remember that CMA Music Festival benefits Keep the Music Playing!

Courtesy Warner Music Nashville

Singer, instrumentalist, songwriter and Atlantic Records Nashville recording artist Hunter Hayes has been making music since he was a toddler performing with artists including Hank Williams Jr., Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Charlie Daniels.

Now the 20-year-old country entertainer has teamed up with Labels for Education, Safeway and the Grammy Foundation to encourage middle school students to make music part of their lives as well. Hunter made an appearance at Corpus Christi School in Piedmont, Calif., on Monday (May 7), performing for seventh- and eighth-grade students. After the performance, Hunter spoke with the students about his experiences in the music industry, and helped present a check for $100,000 in “bonus points” to the school.

Hunter will open shows on Carrie’s Underwood‘s Blown Away Tour beginning in September.

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The 5th annual GAC Kick-off Breakfast – the unofficial start of CMA Music Fest – will be held Wednesday, June 6 at 7 a.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in downtown Nashville. Josh Turner, Lauren Alaina, Thompson Square and Kip Moore are scheduled to perform at what is always a sold-out fan event.

Tickets are $45 and include a hearty country breakfast, music performances, autograph sessions with Josh, Lauren, Shawna & Keifer Thompson and Kip — and admission to the museum. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 11 at 11 a.m. Eastern and can be purchased by logging on to www.gactv.com. Past Kick-off Breakfast performers include Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Lee Ann Womack and Chris Young.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

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RCA Nashville recording artist Chris Young continues his feverish support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases, by offering up a one-of-a-kind handmade quilt designed and produced by his grandmother, “Nanny.”

May’s quilt, which highlights many of the songs Chris has recorded across his three albums, is available for bidding via the Forum on Chris Young’s official website. Bids can be made on the Chris Chatter Forum on his website. A new quilt, handmade by “Nanny,” will be offered each month with all monies donated to St. Jude.

“I think it’s really cool that Nanny has taken up the cause to help raise money for these incredible St. Jude kids who are fighting for their lives,” said Young. “I hope my fans will check out her handmade quilts each month and consider making a bid to help support St. Jude.”

One in three women and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in his/her lifetime. During the 2012 CMA Music Festival, a star-studded roster of Country Music’s hottest performers and personalities will join forces to help strike out the disease.

Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, David Nail, James Otto, Robin Meade, Scott Hamilton, Chuck Wicks, Whitney Duncan, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Billy Gilman, Kristen Kelly and Two Foot Fred will participate in City of Hope’s 22^nd annual Celebrity Softball Challenge Presented by Staples. Emceed by Great American Country’s “Headline Country” host Storme Warren, the event will take place on Saturday, June 9 at 9 a.m. at Greer Stadium. Tickets are now available at www.ticketmaster.com.

“We’re proud to support City of Hope in its fight against cancer,” said Pete Fisher, vice president and
general manager, Grand Ole Opry. “City of Hope’s groundbreaking and innovative research benefits
people everywhere.”

“This game is a unique event during the CMA Music Festival, where we bring artists and fans together in order to give hope to people living with cancer,” said Blair Garner, creator of ‘After MidNite with Blair Garner.’ “We expect to continue our winning streak this year and encourage all of our fans and the Nashville community to join us in this effort by attending the game and watching their favorite stars step up to the plate.”

Some of the biggest names in Country Music including Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift and more have donated their time, talents and autographed memorabilia to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

All Access for LLS Celebrity eBay Auction is running on eBay and includes items and experiences from the biggest names in country, rock, and contemporary Christian music as well as NASCAR and the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres. The 10-day auction launched on Friday April 27th and concludes at 6 PM CT on May 7th. The 2nd Annual

All Access for LLS Celebrity eBay Auction Includes Items From:

Alabama
Alan Jackson
American Music Awards
BarlowGirl
Billy Currington
Buckcherry
Bucky Covington
Buffalo Sabres
Carrie Underwood
Charlie Daniels
Chris Young
Country Music Association
Craig Morgan
Darius Rucker
Dierks Bentley
Doug Johnson
Emmylou Harris
Eric Church
George Strait
Grand Ole Opry
Hunter Hayes
Jake Owen
Jamie McMurray
Jars Of Clay
Jason Aldean
Jerrod Neimann
Johnny Cash
Josh Thompson
Keith Urban
Kellie Pickler
Lady Antebellum
Leann Rimes
Lee Brice
Little Big Town
Lorrie Morgan
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Montgomery Gentry
NeedToBreathe
Pam Tillis
Rascal Flatts
Ronnie Dunn
Sara Evans
Shania Twain
Sound Stage
Taylor Swift
The Band Perry
Third Day
Thompson Square
Trey Anastasio
Wynonna

Toby Keith is celebrating a decade of touring the globe, performing shows and visiting troops with the USO during his current five-country, 12-day USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Traveling to the Middle East to lift the spirits of troops and their families, the megastar will continue his longstanding tradition of visiting remote forward operating bases and delivering a much-needed touch of home.

Through his many appearances on behalf of the USO, Keith has quickly become synonymous with spreading smiles and cheer to troops stationed both abroad and stateside through live concerts and interactions. For Keith, 10 years have flown by, in the best way possible.

“I can’t believe it has already been a decade, it feels like just yesterday when I first started working with the USO. I’ve met so many great, brave service men and women over the years and had so many wonderful experiences, that I can barely remember them all. One thing is for sure, I enjoy working with the USO, I love our nation’s troops, and I won’t ever stop doing my part to extend my thanks.”

Check out the video below of Toby during his visit to Kandahar Airfield for his 189th concert as part of his “Live in Overdrive” USO tour.

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CMA has announced new procedures for autograph seekers during 2012 CMA Music Festival, June 7-10, to enhance the overall Festival experience, improve safety, and make the process for securing a treasured autograph equitable for all Festival goers.

The new system will be a drawing with online sign ups and notification in advance of the June event, enabling Festival attendees to schedule their time during the Festival attending concerts and taking part in free events and activities rather than waiting in line in hopes of securing a signature.

“It is going to be a much better experience for the fans,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore.”The new system eliminates the need to stand in long lines or camp out overnight on the street to be the first in the Fan Fair Hall. Fans won’t have to sprint to get to an autograph booth. Now all of our guests have an equal opportunity to get a coveted autograph and still be free to enjoy all the great music and entertainment the Festival has to offer.”

Autograph signings have been a hallmark of the Festival since it began as Fan Fair™ in 1972. And the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall is the epicenter of that fan/artist interaction. As the event has grown – 65,000 people a day attended in 2010 and 2011 – safety and improving the experience for the fans has been a top priority.

“We want our fans enjoying all the music and events CMA Music Festival has to offer and not spending their time in lines hoping for an autograph,” said Sheri Warnke, CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “An advance sign-up system creates a level playing field for all fans to enter for their chance to win an autograph signing ticket and we are excited about communicating this new system to our ticket holders.”

Here is how it works: Individual booths will no longer distribute tickets for autograph signings each morning inside the Hall. Instead, fans will enter a random drawing for the opportunity to meet various artists appearing in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall. Patrons will enter this drawing in advance of CMA Music Festival via an online entry form at CMAfest.com. Entering the drawing is easy:

Go to www.CMAfest.com between May 14 (starting at 10:00AM/CT) and May 28 (ending at 5:00 PM/CT).
Patrons enter their contact information and then select from the list of participating artists signing autographs in the Hall.
Patrons may select as few or as many of the artists listed to be entered to win a ticket for each respective signing.
Once the entry has been submitted, it can’t be changed. Duplicate entries will not be considered.
All winners will be notified on Friday, June 1 via email.

The confirmation emails will contain detailed information on which artist(s) the fan gets to meet as well as the date, time, and location of the signings inside the Fan Fair Hall, plus instructions on where, when, and how to retrieve autograph tickets inside the Nashville Convention Center.

For patrons who can’t get to a computer to register ahead of time, CMA will have a limited number of tickets on-site at the Festival. For information about how these will be distributed, see the Fan Fair Hall page at CMAfest.com.

All winners must claim their autograph tickets the day before their scheduled autograph signing. The confirmation letter will outline specific pick up times. Any autograph tickets not claimed by the specified pick up time will be forfeited. Autograph tickets may only be claimed by the contact person on the entry form or an authorized guardian/adult.

When winners pick up their tickets, they must present both their confirmation email and a photo ID. For minor winners without a valid photo ID, a guardian/adult must accompany the minor to retrieve the autograph ticket. The guardian/adult must present their photo ID along with the winner’s email confirmation.

The autograph ticket will be a wristband that must be worn in order to line up for each signing. Selling of autograph tickets/wristbands is prohibited.

Not every artist participating in the Fan Fair Hall will be part of the autograph drawing. There will be many opportunities for patrons to obtain multiple autographs from artists by just walking around the Fan Fair Hall.

There will no longer be a separate allotment of tickets for ADA patrons. CMA is committed to distributing the autograph tickets in a fair manner for all our valued patrons. The online drawing effectively removes any physical barriers, providing all patrons fair and equal access for a chance to win an autograph ticket.

“This event is for the fans and CMA is committed to providing a top notch experience,” Warnke said. “We will be announcing other new enhancements to the Fan Fair Hall in the coming weeks.”

CMA Music Festival is the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience – a celebration of America’s music that takes over downtown Nashville with non-stop concerts on multiple stages with a vast and varied roster of artists. CMA Music Festival is a four-time winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet™ is the Official Ride of Country Music. BIC is an Official Partner of the 2012 CMA Music Festival. Connect with CMA online at CMAfest.com, Facebook.com/CMA and Twitter.com/CountryMusic.