Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

NASHVILLE – The one-of-a-kind, award-winning CMA Music Festival takes over downtown Nashville for four days this summer, Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, with a star-packed lineup that includes Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, and more artists to be announced soon.

The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, bringing 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. More than 40 years later, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature music event, which annually attracts tens of thousands of fans from all 50 states and around the globe and has raised millions of dollars for music education. The event will once again be filmed for an ABC Television special airing later in the summer, shining a national spotlight on both Country Music and Music City.

“What an exciting lineup – and we are just getting started,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Ticket sales are stronger than ever and we are always researching and developing ways to enhance the Festival experience for our attendees and the artists who continue this time-honored tradition of giving back to the fans.”

Bryan was nominated for CMA Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for tailgates & tanlines and will launch his first headline tour, the “Dirt Road Diaries Tour,” this week. Bryan last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2012, where he also co-hosted the “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” special on ABC last summer.

Platinum-selling group Lady Antebellum, made up of members Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, and Hillary Scott, has won seven CMA Awards, including Vocal Group (2009-2011), Single (2009 for “I Run to You” and 2010 for “Need You Now,” which also earned them an additional Award for producing), and New Artist of the Year (2008). They last performed at the Festival in 2012.

Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Little Big Town – consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook – has received a career total of 11 CMA Award nominations and two wins in 2012 for Single of the Year for “Pontoon” and their first Vocal Group of the Year trophy.

A five-time CMA Award winner, Underwood will also perform on the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2013 CMA Music Festival. Underwood has won three CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards (2006-2008); and has co-hosted the CMA Awards for the last five consecutive years. After winning “American Idol” in 2005, she made one of her first public appearances at CMA Music Festival, and has been a strong supporter of the event ever since. Underwood last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2012.

Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. They can also purchase them by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Ticket prices are based on the level of seating at LP Field for the Nightly Concerts, and range from $125 to $350 plus handling fees. A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are also available (parking is not included in the Festival ticket price), ranging from $60 for Cars to $140 for an RV/Motorcoach, plus handling fees.

Ticket and parking prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable. Four-day ticket pricing corresponds to seating levels at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.

Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news, follow the CMA Facebook and Twitter feeds for more insider info and of course see the entire lineup of Country Music’s biggest stars as they are announced in the coming weeks.

CMA Music Festival celebrates the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans in the heart of Music City. The artists participate for free, and on their behalf, CMA donates half the net proceeds of the Festival to support music education through the Keep the Music Playing program.

To date, more than $6.1 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies, providing thousands of students with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own, and giving many of them the motivation to remain in school. The total also includes a $1 million endowment for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting. CMA will announce the donation from the 2012 CMA Music Festival in February.

Featuring concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more, CMA Music Festival is an unparalleled celebration of America’s music.

In 2012, more than 450 artists performed more than 200 hours of concerts. The event drew a record 71,000 fans daily from all 50 states and 24 nations and for the third consecutive year sold out each nightly concert at LP Field. According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, direct visitor spending generated by the Festival totaled more than $35 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 will once again be filmed for a national television special to air on the ABC Television Network. This is the 10^th consecutive year that the event has been filmed for a network television special, a feat no other music festival has achieved. “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” will be executive-produced by Robert Deaton.

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. Transitions Optical; The Official Eyewear of the CMA Music Festival.

Nashville- (January 17, 2013) – Luke Bryan’s cache as a seasoned performer has long been recognized by his growing legion of fans and has recently captured the attention of the music community. His ability to draw great crowds to his concerts became evident today as it was announced the first leg of shows on his headline tour, the “Dirt Road Diaries Tour,” have all sold-out! The current 21-city run has now been extended with a second leg beginning May 17th in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square are special guests on both legs.

SCOTTY McCREERY LAUNCHES FIRST HEADLINE TOUR ON FEBRUARY 14
Nashville, TN – Platinum-selling recording artist and Season 10 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery will launch his first headline tour – Weekend Roadtrip Tour 2013 – on February 14th at the Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA.  The tour will stop in over 25 venues across the country through May. Sixteen dates of the tour have been announced with more dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of great cities over the last year with Brad Paisley and some other great country artists,” explains McCreery.  “This time I get to play some new places with a show that’s all my own.  I can’t wait for my fans to see what we’ve lined up for them on my Weekend Roadtrip Tour 2013.”

The tour will feature hits like “The Trouble With Girls,” “Water Tower Town” and “I Love You This Big” from McCreery’s #1 Billboard debut album Clear As Day, as well as, a few classic covers.  McCreery also plans to give his fans a sneak peek at some new music coming soon from his sophomore album scheduled for release later this year on 19/Interscope/Mercury Records. 

The Academy of Country Music’s reigning New Artist of the Year says the concept for this Tour was born from what’s going on in his life at the moment.  “Right now, I’m balancing my music career with my second semester at North Carolina State University.  I go to school early in the week and get to play my music every weekend.  So, calling this tour the Weekend Roadtrip Tour just made sense.  Plus, what college student doesn’t love a good roadtrip?” 

McCreery has invited fellow country artist and Black River Entertainment’s own Sarah Darling to open all shows on the tour.  Touted by the New York Times as a “sophisticated songwriter” with a “crisp, powerful voice,” Sarah Darling has found success with three consecutive #1 videos – “Something To Do With Your Hands,” “Blackbird,” and her current single, “Home To Me”. 

World Vision will be the charitable sponsor for the Weekend Roadtrip Tour 2013.  The 63 year-old humanitarian organization is dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Working in nearly 100 countries around the world, World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Feb. 14 – Bethlehem, PA – Sands Bethlehem Event Center

Feb. 15 – Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theatre

Feb. 16 – Atlantic City, NJ – Golden Nugget

Feb. 21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE

Feb. 22 – Dover, DE – Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

Feb. 23 – Charleston, WV – Clay Center for the Arts

Mar. 8 – Plant City, FL -Florida Strawberry Festival

Mar. 9 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater

Mar. 28 – Aurora, IL – Paramount Theatre

Apr. 18 – Albany, NY – The Palace Theatre

Apr. 19 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre

Apr. 20 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – F.M. Kirby Center

Apr. 26 – Robinsonville, MS – Horseshoe Casino

May 10 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre

May 11 – Hampton, NH – Casino Ballroom

May 12 – Morristown, NJ – Mayo Performing Arts Center

Visit www.scottymccreery.com for more details and to learn about the VIP Concert Experience.

twitter.com/ScottyMcCreery
facebook.com/ScottyMcCreery
youtube.com/SMcCreeryOfficial

Nashville, TN – Jan. 13, 2014 – Seven–time GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady Antebellum returned to the stage this weekend on their headlining TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR. Saturday night’s show (pictured here) in Toledo, OH at the Huntington Center hosted a capacity crowd of eager fans.

“It’s indisputable that Lady A has amazing chemistry that has grown stronger…” noted the Toledo Blade. “The one impression to take away from Lady A’s 90-minute set was the enthusiasm that the set was delivered…the unbridled joy on the faces of the three close friends was priceless.”

This weekend, the tour continues to Fargo, ND and Rapid City, SD with special guests Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves. For a full list of tour dates and for ticket information, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

Keith Urban may be seated at the judges’ table on the new season of American Idol, but at one point the talented musician was a contestant on not one, but three different talent shows in Australia. “The first one was when I was nine. It was called Pot of Gold.  And then two other ones, one was called Stairway to the Stars and one was called, and I kid you not, it’s called Have a Go Show. And I was on Have a Go Show and bombed dismally.  Well,  I was 12, so what do I care?  I’m like, ‘Scrape off the knees and get back on the horse.’”

Keith is joined on the judges panel by Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson. The 12th season of American Idol premieres Wednesday (January 16th) at 8pm ET on FOX.

(Check out the first look at Season 12 below.)

AUDIO: Keith Urban recalls being on a few different TV talent shows when he was just a young boy.

Keith Urban (on 3 talent shows) OC: …on the horse. :25
“I did three different versions of these TV talent shows. The first one was when I was nine. It was called Pot of Gold.  And then two other ones, one was called Stairway to the Stars and one was called, and I kid you not, it’s called Have a Go Show. And I was on Have a Go Show and bombed dismally.  Well,  I was 12, so what do I care?  I’m like, ‘Scrape off the knees and get back on the horse.’” 

Dierks Bentley will hit the road with pal, Miranda Lambert, on the Locked & Reloaded Tour on Thursday (January 17th) in Columbia, South Carolina. Dierks upped the ante for the trek with a new set and more bells and whistles than he’s had in the past. “Just got the checkbook out and started writing some checks for [laughs] a new set, and let’s get some video…and let’s pretend this is the last tour we’re ever gonna do,” says the “Tip It On Back” singer. “What would I do? Well, we’d have a killer set that we could climb around and shoot lights through it and make it something really exciting and new for us and for our fans.” He also will showcase a nice big video screen behind the set.

This isn’t the first time Dierks and Miranda have toured together. They hit the road on Dierks 2006-2007 Locked and Loaded trek.
 
AUDIO: Dierks Bentley will have a brand new set when he hits the road on the Locked & Reloaded Tour with pal, Miranda Lambert.

Dierks Bentley (more bells & whistles) OC: …for the fans. :46
“This is one of those tours where it feels like it’s a chance to go back and relive those high school days a little bit with Miranda and her camp. We get along so well. Just got the checkbook out and started writing some checks for [laughs] a new set and let’s get some video…and let’s pretend this is the last tour we’re ever gonna do. What would we do? Well, we’d have a killer set that we could climb around and shoot lights through it and make it something really exciting and new for us and for our fans. And what could we do video-wise? We really wanted to have as wide a screen as we possibly could use, so that means using projectors and that means just getting like [off mic] those two little bad boys up there that are fairly new stuff technology-wise. Just trying to find a good blend between keeping the motion of the show and the rawness of the show, and so we’re using a little bit of that video element to make it fun for us and fun for the fans.”

Kelleigh Bannen is not just a hugely talented singer-songwriter, but she also has other artistic talents. In her latest webisode, she discusses her jewelry business and how she got started!

 In their first Webisode Wednesday of 2013, Lady Antebellum talk about their new single and play a snippet of it for you, they talk about the late great Lady Aunt Bella, who “passed” before the holidays, and talk about how excited they are to have a new album and a new baby on the way. Check it out below.

Keith Urban begins his role as a judge on the 12th season of American Idol tonight (January 16th). Everyone, including his fellow country stars, agree that the show’s producers couldn’t have picked a better judge than Keith, including David Nail. “”He’s arguably one of the more talented individuals in music period, if you look at it across the board — singing and playing an instrument [and] co-producing a lot of his records and songwriting,” says David Nail. “Of all the people that’s been on there, arguably the most talented judge would be him.”

Check out the season premiere of American Idol at 8pm ET on FOX.

David Nail (Keith Urban AI Judge) OC: …would be him. :15

”He’s arguably one of the more talented individuals in music period, if you look at it across the board — singing and playing an instrument [and] co-producing a lot of his records and songwriting. Of all the people that’s been on there, arguably the most talented judge would be him.”