Country Music Rallies to Raise Funds for Red Cross Disaster Relief Efforts

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight, CMT, CMT.com and media outlets around the world premiered MUSIC BUILDS: THE CMT DISASTER RELIEF CONCERT - a live, commercial-free, 90-minute concert special designed to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the recent devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes. Co-hosted by ESPN's Erin Andrews, HLN's Robin Meade and comedian Ron White, the special featured an urgent call to action from President Obama, as well as performances by Hank Williams, Jr., Alabama, Alan Jackson, Gretchen Wilson, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tim McGraw and Trace Adkins.  All money raised will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

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Media outlets including American Forces Network, CNN.com, multiple local TV affiliates and radio stations also simulcast MUSIC BUILDS, reaching tens of millions of viewers around the world.  HLN will re-air the telecast in its entirety on Sunday, May 15 at 9:00 p.m., ET, immediately followed by a half-hour, after-show special with Robin Meade.  Show clips, artist interviews and behind-the-scenes b-roll are available at www.downcastserver.com.  

MUSIC BUILDS:  THE CMT DISASTER RELIEF CONCERT highlights a number of regions affected by recent storm, tornado and flooding damage including Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Ala.; Natchez and Vicksburg, Miss.; Vidalia, La.; Memphis, Dyersburg and Tiptonville, Tenn.; and Raleigh, N.C. to name a few.  In addition to performances, the special includes additional calls to action from American Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler, with host Ryan Seacrest; Big Kenny, Carrie Underwood, Courteney Cox, Ellen Degeneres and Taylor Swift, University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban, Nicole Kidman, Shania Twain and others.  

Celebrities were also busy manning the phone lines on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House, taking donations for the American Red Cross.  Volunteers included Ashton Shepherd, Big Kenny, Clay Walker, Clint Black, Crystal Bowersox, Danny Gokey, Darryl Worley, David Nail, Hillary and Holly Williams, Jamie Lynn Spears, Jana Kramer, Kellie Pickler, Montgomery Gentry, Niki Taylor, Phil Vassar, Scott Hamilton, Jonathan Cain and more.  

MUSIC BUILDS:  THE CMT DISASTER RELIEF CONCERT is executive produced by John Hamlin for CMT and Tom Forrest for Taillight Television, and is directed by Ivan Dudynsky.  Excerpts from the special are available for viewing at www.cmt.com.  The total amount of money raised will be announced on Wednesday, June 8, during the live telecast of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS.  

**CMT One Country encourages you to support our neighbors affected by the recent devastating tornadoes and floods.  Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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CMT ONE COUNTRY, CMT's pro-social initiative, was launched in the fall of 2005 to promote civic participation and inspire CMT viewers to take action and bring about important change in their communities. For more information visit CMTONECOUNTRY.com.

CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

About the American Red Cross:  The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE CMT