Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Josh Turner, Easton Corbin, The JaneDear girls, Ashton Shepherd, and Chris Young Added to List of Performers Announced for 2011 CMA Music Festival

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley and New Artist of the Year Zac Brown Band join Easton Corbin, Sara Evans, the JaneDear girls, Little Big Town, Ashton Shepherd, Josh Turner, and Chris Young as the next group of performers announced for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2011 CMA Music Festival, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.  The legendary four-day event will be held Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, 2011 in Downtown Nashville, and will once again be filmed for an ABC Television special that will air later this summer.

Previously announced performers include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, and Keith Urban, with more to be revealed later.

The artists announced thus far for CMA Music Festival have won a total of 52 CMA Awards and earned 240 CMA Award nominations. Paisley is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year; Lambert is the reigning Female Vocalist, Album, and Music Video of the Year winner, as well as the performer of the Song of the Year ("The House That Built Me"); Shelton is both the reigning Male Vocalist and, with Adkins, the reigning Musical Event of the Year winner; Lady Antebellum is the reigning Vocal Group and performers of the Single of the Year ("Need You Now"); Zac Brown Band is the reigning New Artist of the Year; and Reba was recently announced as a 2011 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

"After 40 years, we are still making history," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "This is the first time that our Nightly Concerts lineup at LP Field includes the current Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Vocal Group, and New Artist of the Year, as well as a new inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. We are excited to present the fans with the opportunity to enjoy this outstanding group of performers."  

CMA Music Festival, which started as Fan Fair® in 1972, is Nashville's signature music event. USA Today calls the annual Country conclave "the crown jewel of Country Music festivals." The Festival annually attracts thousands of fans from all 50 states and around the globe while raising millions of dollars for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Fans can stay in the loop by visiting the all-new CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, which makes its debut today. On CMAfest.com fans can buy tickets, sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news, watch helpful videos to make their CMA Music Festival experience better than ever, 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 for the event.

CMA Music Festival celebrates the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans in the heart of Music City USA. The artists participate for free, and on their behalf, CMA donates half the net proceeds of the Festival to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through the Keep the Music Playing program. To date, more than $4.7 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies. The total also includes an annual endowment gift for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Words & Music program.

Featuring concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more, CMA Music Festival is an unparalleled celebration of America's music. In 2010, the event drew a record-setting 65,000 fans from all 50 states and 26 nations and, for the first time, sold out each night at LP Field for the star-packed nightly concerts in advance. According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, direct visitor spending generated by the Festival totaled more than $23 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).

Fans can purchase their tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-(800)-745-3000. They can also purchase them through CMAfest.com or 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 $115 to $325 plus 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. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.

A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are available. Call toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST, 1-800-345-3000 (Ticketmaster) or www.ticketmaster.com to order. The price is $32 for cars; $64 for vans/shuttles; and $124 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.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA.

SOURCE Country Music Association