FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May. 22, 2008
Chevy Music Stage and Chevy Sports Zone Offer Free Entertainment and Activities
NASHVILLE – Chevy, the Official Ride of Country Music, adds excitement to the 2008 CMA Music Festival with free concerts, activities, informative displays and opportunities to test drive a Chevy vehicle.
“Chevy embodies the spirit of Country Music,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. “With vehicles that are dynamic and stylish as well as reliable, they are a great fit for CMA Music Festival and Country Music.”
“The CMA Music Festival is such an integral part of Chevy’s relationship with Country Music and its loyal fan base,” stated Chevrolet General Director, Advertising & Sales Promotion Kim Kosak. “As the official ride of Country Music, the opportunity to take our message directly to the consumer in such a unique and targeted event is one of the many reasons we have such a solid and successful relationship with the CMA and the artists of this genre. Country Music is an ambassador for our brand; to be able to share our new product line, showcase talent, and generate excitement through a concentrated effort like the CMA Music Festival accentuates the value that a partnership like this one can bring.”
The excitement begins Wednesday, June 4, at 2:00 PM with The Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade featuring Country Music artists riding in Corvette Convertibles. Artists and celebrities participating include Deborah Allen, Katie Armiger, riders from Championship Bull Riding, the cast of CMT’s “Trick My Truck”, Erika Jo, Crystal Gayle, The Grascals, Jeff Griffith, Indian Rodeo, Lonestar, Jason Meadows, Mountain Heart, Michael Martin Murphey, several of NASCAR’s top drivers, One Flew South, The Roys, Keni Thomas, Trent Tomlinson, Rhonda Towns, Kyle Wyley, and Chris Young. Other participants include the Antioch High School Marching Band and Drill Team, the Overton High School drumline, The Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee riding on their float, The Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee, and various Southeast Region Chevy Youth Baseball teams.
Beginning at the corner of Broadway and Sixth Avenue North, the procession will travel down Broadway; turn right on Third Avenue South; proceed down Third Avenue South until turning right on Demonbreun; proceed up Demonbreun to Sixth Avenue, and end at the Sommet Center. The parade will also include specialty vehicles including the Luke Bryan Carl Black Chevy Silverado, the Wrangler George Strait Chevy Silverado, and the Rodney Atkins Carl Black Chevy Silverado. In addition, a caravan of Corvette enthusiasts from Bowling Green, KY will join the parade.
Following the parade, The Third Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party will take place on the Chevy Music Stage located on the Chevy Plaza (Sommet Center Plaza at the corner Fifth Avenue and Broadway). Featuring Keith Anderson, Zac Brown, Luke Bryan, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Rissi Palmer, Phil Stacey and Chris Young, this concert is free and open to the public.
The Chevy Stage is one of CMA Music Festival’s most popular spots as some of Country Music’s most exciting acts take to the stage daily for free concerts.
Chevy Music Stage
Location: Chevy Plaza
Between Broadway and Demonbreun on Fifth Avenue
Hours:
Thursday, June 5 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday, June 6 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Saturday, June 7 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sunday, June 8 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
Artists performing
Thursday, June 5
Sonny Burgess
Sierra Hull
Kingbilly
Lucky Bucks
Daniel Lee Martin
Mountain Heart
SteelDrivers
Dan Tyminski
Friday, June 6
Hot Apple Pie
Cory Morrow
Gary Nichols
One Flew South
Julie Roberts
Keni Thomas
Michelle Wright
Saturday, June 7
Deborah Allen
Band of Heathens
The Greencards
Jedd Hughes
James Intveld
Michael Peterson
Trent Summar
Sunday, June 8
The Grascals
Bobby Marquez
Chase Mitchell
Riders In the Sky
This year XM Satellite Radio will be broadcasting live from the Chevy Plaza.
“XM is very excited to bring the live entertainment on the Chevy Stage to fans all over the country,” said Jon Anthony, Senior Program Director – Country for XM Satellite Radio. “From new Country to bluegrass to Americana, there will certainly be something for everyone, and we’re proud to broadcast it all live on our family of Country channels! Chevy and the CMA sure know how to throw a party, and now the whole country is invited to join in.”
Other activities taking place on Fifth Avenue adjacent to the Chevy Plaza include the Ride and Drive, allowing fans to test drive one of ten Chevy vehicles. Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and qualify for a chance to win a trip to the 2008 CMA Awards. In addition, there will be giveaways, contests and displays featuring the Silverado, Malibu XTZ, Corvette, Tahoe Hybrid, and the Traverse.
Attendees visiting the Chevy booth in the truTV™ Fan Fair® Hall can get autographs from some of Country Music’s best, including Jeff Bates, Luke Bryan, Sarah Buxton, Eric Church, Cowboy Troy, Emerson Drive, Erika Jo, Josh Gracin, Jennifer Hanson, Lady Antebellum, Jamie O’Neal, James Otto, Julie Roberts, David St. Romaine, Phil Vassar, and Chuck Wicks. While waiting in line, fans can send text messages to their favorite stars that will be displayed on plasma screens.
The Chevy Sports Zone is also geared up for fun and excitement. Visitors can check out the NASCAR vehicle display including the E85 Corvette Indy Pace Car, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s specialty Silverado, and the Dale Jr. Foundation Tahoe. In addition, anglers of all ages can meet and get tips from FLW fishermen Luke Clausen and Larry Nixon, experience the FLW Fishing Simulator and catch a fish in the Chevy trout pond.
Also in the Chevy Sports Zone, A-Rod wannabes can swing for the fences by playing the new MLB 2K8 XBOX game out of the MLB Silverado, practice in the Cal Ripken, Jr. Baseball Clinics, or test their arms at the MLB Fast Pitch Challenge. Fans can also experience the XM Satellite Radio Ultimate Listening Tour and register for a chance to win an XM handheld radio.
Chevy will also be represented in the McDonald´s®-Dr Pepper® Family Zone with their Safe Kids display. There will be three child safety seat stations for infants, toddlers, and booster. Height and weight checkups will be conducted to determine the proper safety seat for participating children. Chevy will also teach kids the importance of safety inside and around vehicles. While in the McDonald’s-Dr Pepper Family Zone, fans can check out the new Rodney Atkins Silverado and win memorabilia signed by some of their favorite artists.
The Fun Zone is the place to go to learn all about the most dependable, longest-lasting pickup truck, the Chevy Silverado. The mobile Silverado tour display consists of a state-of-the-art trailer pulled by a new 3500 Model Silverado and features a welcome center, engine display, towing interactive, and two flat screen TV’s with satellite connection. The “Fuel Solutions Tour” will also be located in The Fun Zone. Information on Chevy’s seven vehicles with EPA estimated 30 MPG highway or better will be showcased. In addition, consumers will learn that Chevy has more vehicle choices today than any brand that can run on cleaner–burning, mostly renewable E85 ethanol. They can also view hybrid models of the Malibu and Tahoe.
For up-to-the-minute information about CMA Music Festival tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for e-news.
CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Borders®: The Exclusive Music & Book retailer of the CMA Music Festival. Wrangler®: The Exclusive Jean of the CMA Music Festival. Additional promotional partners include, American Airlines, Carl Black Chevrolet, CMT(tm), Coca-Cola®, Dr Pepper®, Field & Stream, GAC Great American Country, Greased Lightning® Cleaning Products, Mary Kay®, McDonald’s®, Tetley® Iced Tea, truTV(tm), and VAULT(tm. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA.
