News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May. 19, 2004
PATRIOTISM SOARS AT CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL/FAN FAIR® IN JUNE
CMA Celebrity Close Up Reunion of Iraq Military Tour Mates Including “JAG” Actor Karri Turner, Media Personality/Author Al Franken, Mark Wills, Darryl Worley, Members of the 101st Airborne And Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap
NASHVILLE – CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair® is a four-day celebration of America’s music and at its heart are the themes and issues that touch everyone including love of home and family.
In honor of the sacrifices made by American service men and women – and their families – CMA is donating tickets to the Nightly Concerts at the Coliseum June 10-13; the Friday concert at the Greased Lightningâ Riverfront Park Stages; and both sessions of the CMA Celebrity Close Up series to the troops of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky.
“The relationship between Country artists and our troops and their families is a long-standing tradition,” said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. “And we are delighted to demonstrate our support of these brave men and women during the festival.”
In addition to the Nightly Concert tickets, CMA is also donating tickets for the CMA Celebrity Close Up event Friday, June 11, which is a reunion of performers and celebrities who toured Iraq in December including “JAG” actor Karri Turner, who has portrayed Lt. Harriet Sims over the past eight seasons on the popular CBS Television series; Mark Wills; and Darryl Worley. Emmy Award-winning television writer/producer, author and Grammy-winning comedian Al Franken, will be joining the group by phone from the New York studio of his new, daily radio program “The O’ Franken Factor,” flagship program of Air America Radio (noon-3:00 PM/EST).
“In my 30-plus years as an entertainer, there has been no greater honor than performing for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines,” said Franken. “I have done four USO tours to places like Kosovo, Bosnia, but this past holiday season’s trip to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan was the most moving, and oddly, the most fun. Fun, because I traveled with Country artists Mark Wills and Darryl Worley who gave each other, and especially me, tremendous crap throughout the tour. Moving, because we performed for and talked with our brave men and women who are sacrificing in our name.”
“My trip to Iraq was the most incredible experience of my life,” said Wills, “Getting to be with the men and women who serve our country was an honor and I am looking forward to hooking back up with Karri, Al and Darryl to relive our trip and share with the public our experiences.”
Joining the panel will be moderator and Great American Country host Lorianne Crook and Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap, who is on a national speaking tour promoting her platform, “United We stand, Divided We Fall behind; Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion.” Dunlap, who spent Thanksgiving Day 2003 with troops in Kuwait entertaining and serving the holiday meal, will also performing during Pre-Show Activities, Thursday, June 10, leading up to the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum.
CMA Celebrity Close Up, formerly the Celebrity Lecture Series, was created to provide an avenue for artist/fan interaction – a signature element of the event. Celebrities answer fan questions in a forum moderated by Crook at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Two sessions are scheduled for Friday, June 11, including session one with the above-mentioned guests from 8:00-9:00 AM and a second session in the afternoon, also hosted by Lorianne Crook featuring LeAnn Rimes from 4:30-5:00 PM and Kix Brooks and Trace Adkins from 5:00-6:00 PM.
CMA Celebrity Close Up is a separately ticketed event for each session. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the Ryman Auditorium Box Office the day of the event. Tickets are available to CMA Music Festival attendees and the general public.
Representatives from the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project will also be on hand during the Friday morning panel to distribute information about the project, which archives oral histories recorded on audio and videotape, written memoirs, wartime letters and photographs from war veterans and those who served in support of them for the national collection, housed in the Library’s American Folklife Center.
Purchase tickets for CMA Celebrity Close Up by calling toll-free, 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or visit www.CMAfest.com; through the Ryman Auditorium Box Office at (615) 889-3060; or through Ticketmaster at (615) 255-9600 or www.Ticketmaster.com. Artists participating in CMA Celebrity Close Up are subject to change.
Four-day CMA Music Festival ticket packages are on sale now. Tickets are $145 and $125 for adults; and $100 and $86 for children 14 and younger; children 3 and under are free (prices do not include applicable handling fees). Ticket packages are divided into four categories, based on the level of reserved seating at The Coliseum (the Gold Circle ticket package is already sold out). Ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at Greased Lightning® Riverfront Park Stages; the Wrangler® Fan Fair; Sports Zone; Bush’s® Baked Beans Family Zone; CMA Music Festival After Hours™ free in-town shuttles to major event sites; the official CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; and special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops and more.
To purchase ticket packages, order over the phone toll-free at 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or through Ticketmaster at (615) 255-9600; or download an order form at www.CMAfest.com; or visit www.Ticketmaster.com to buy online. Ticket prices, schedule and artists appearing are subject to change without notice. Order early for the best available reserved seat at The Coliseum. All sales are final and non-refundable.
If you can’t make all four days, single-night concert tickets to The Coliseum’s nightly concerts are available for $25 each (plus applicable handling fees) and may be purchased in advance at the Festival Ticket Office at the Gaylord Entertainment Center Box Office, 501 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn., or toll-free at 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Single concert tickets will also be sold during CMA Music Festival at The Coliseum ticket office beginning Wednesday, June 9.
Single-day tickets for the Greased Lightning® Riverfront Park Stages will be sold the day of show at the gate for $12 each. Children 6 and under are admitted to the Riverfront Park concerts free of charge.
As previously announced, CMA Music Festival will be filmed for a two-hour television special airing later this summer on the CBS Television Network.
For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for e-news. 2004 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Country Weekly is an official media partner. MJI Programming, a division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the official radio broadcaster. Promotional partners include American Airlines, B.A.S.S.®, Bush’s® Baked Beans, Camping World, Carl Black Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Greased Lightning®, NBC Daytime, Sparkle™ Paper Towels and Wrangler®. Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA.