Heart-tugging stories and riveting musical performances are the heart and soul of summer's hottest special "CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Biggest Party," which airs Tuesday, Aug. 2 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"The special aims to capture it all -- the unique interaction and admiration between the artists and their fans and knock-you-to-your-knees performances by some of our format's most compelling stars," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson.

Trisha Yearwood is set to perform

Added to the list of performers on the special are Dierks, Sara Evans, Jo Dee Messina, Dolly Parton, The Grascals, Sugarland, CMA's reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Keith Urban, and Trisha Yearwood. Several of today's top hit makers are already scheduled to perform including Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy , Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, and Gretchen Wilson, who will perform the network television debut of her single "All Jacked Up." More artists will be announced soon.

Gretchen Wilson

CMA Music Festival is about more than the music. For 34 years, the cornerstone of the annual event has been the relationship between the artists, the fans and their mutual love for the music. The special was taped in Nashville June 9-12 during the Festival, a four-day love fest attended by more than 145,000 Country Music enthusiasts from around the world.

Keith Urban takes the stage

In one segment during the special, a group of five young musical prodigies from Texas, California and Florida get to meet and perform with two of their musical heroes. Hosted by Kix Brooks, of super duo Brooks & Dunn, he puts the aspiring impresarios through their paces before introducing them to Ricky Skaggs and legendary Earl Scruggs.

"I was listening to him on my iPod on the way over," exclaimed fiddle player Christian, 13, of California. "Being a banjo player, it's pretty incredible to be playing for the master," added Corey, 15, of Florida.

Always a crowd pleaser

The music masters, including Brooks blowing a mean harmonica, joined the impromptu bluegrass band on the stage of the Coliseum for a full-tilt performance of the Scruggs' classic, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."

"When you see hungry hearts like that, you want to feed them," said Skaggs. "And they appreciate it, and they will never forget it."

The special is a CMA production. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, and Gary Halvorson is the director.
CMA Music Festival 2006 will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 8- 11, in Downtown Nashville and tickets are available now and selling fast.

Alan Jackson wins over many hearts

 To order tickets for the 2006 CMA Music Festival call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com  visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600.

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