CMT RETURNS TO SUMMERFEST FOR THREE ONE-HOUR CONCERT SPECIALS WITH COUNTRY STARS SUGARLAND, SARA EVANS AND BIG & RICH
06/05/07
“CMT AT SUMMERFEST 2007” to Premiere Nightly August 3 through August 5
NASHVILLE – June 5, 2007 – As summer heats up, CMT returns for a second year to what is billed as the “world’s largest music festival” – CMT AT SUMMERFEST 2007 – for three, one-hour concert specials featuring country music favorites Sugarland, Sara Evans and Big & Rich, to premiere nightly Friday, August 3-5 at 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT. Summerfest 2007 celebrates 40 years of music this June, when thousands of fans descend upon Milwaukee, Wisc. for 11 straight days of live music from across all genres. CMT’s Lance Smith will host the three specials.
In addition to the concert specials, CMT will tape a special episode of CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN from the festival grounds. CMT’s broadband channel, CMT Loaded at CMT.com, will also tape an episode of their signature online series, CMT LOADED OUTSIDER, bringing a fan’s perspective to life. Last year marked the first time CMT presented Summerfest on-air, with artists Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd and Dierks Bentley.
Sugarland exploded onto the country scene in 2004 with the near triple-platinum Twice The Speed Of Life, that included hits “Baby Girl” and “Something More,” both of which reached No. 2 on the charts and received digital platinum honors. Their sophomore record, Enjoy The Ride, has received platinum certification for sales exceeding one million. The album’s first two singles, “Want To” and “Settlin,’” both reached No. 1 on the charts, and their brand new single “Everyday America” is the theme song for a new promotional campaign on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Lead vocalist Jennifer Nettles picked up her first Grammy award recently for her duet with Jon Bon Jovi for the No. 1 single “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” The duo has also garnered two fan-voted CMT Music Awards, and is currently on tour with Kenny Chesney.
Sara Evans is a study in contrasts: a smooth-skinned looker hailed by People magazine as one of the world’s most beautiful people, yet one who still embraces the values of her small town Missouri upbringing. Chosen to be the first country singer cast on the ABC reality show “Dancing With the Stars,” Evans is the Academy of Country Music’s reigning Top Female Vocalist who has established herself as a Platinum-selling recording artist since her 1997 debut. In 2007, Evans launched her first-ever headlining tour, and will join Kenny Chesney this summer for limited tour dates on the Flip Flop Tour 2007.
Groundbreaking and multi-platinum duo Big & Rich, comprised of John Rich and Big Kenny, continue to make their own brand of “country music without prejudice.” Their video, “8th of November,” from their sophomore album Comin’ to Your City, was nominated at this year’s Grammy Awards. Rich won artist/songwriter of the year at this year’s ASCAP Awards for the second consecutive year. He is also an accomplished producer and most recently has produced John Anderson’s forthcoming album Easy Money. Big Kenny has also been recognized as the 2005 BMI writer of the year. Currently, his song “Last Dollar (Fly Away),” recorded by Tim McGraw, is flying up the charts. Their third studio album, Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace, is slated for release by Warner Bros. Records on June 5, 2007. Their first book, Big & Rich: All Access, will be released simultaneously with their album.
Summerfest celebrates 40 years of music, fun and sun, June 28 through July 8, 2007. The late Mayor Henry Maier’s vision of an event that would revitalize downtown and unite the community has evolved into The World’s Largest Music Festival and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer celebration. Summerfest continues to attract the music industry’s hottest stars, along with emerging talent and local favorites. The 23,000 capacity Marcus Amphitheater, 10 permanent grounds stage areas, 45 diverse food & beverage vendors and four unique marketplaces are set against the beautiful Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other. Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest. For more details on The World’s Largest Music Festival visit Summerfest.com.
Visit CMT's press-only Web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos on all of CMT's programming.
CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and Heartland entertainment, reaching more than 84 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’s broadband channel, CMT Loaded.
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