PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2005

September 7, 2005 - New York, NY – For the first time in its almost 40-year history, the Country Music Association will celebrate its biggest night outside of Nashville when “The 39th Annual Country Music Association Awards” will be held on the world’s biggest stage, New York City. The 2005 CMA Awards will air live from Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 15 (8:00 – 11:00 p.m. et), on the CBS Television Network.

To commemorate this landmark event, Daniel L. Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding and Maureen J. Reidy, President of NYC Big Events, Inc., announced today that NYC Big Events, in collaboration with the Country Music Association, is launching a week-long series of celebrations called “Country Takes NYC” leading up to the 2005 CMA Awards. This five-borough, grass roots promotional initiative will highlight both the private and public sectors, and is designed to weave Country Music into the fabric of New York City and to create exciting, memorable experiences for all New Yorkers. Multiple City agencies are partnering in the creation and implementation of this unique effort. “Country Takes NYC” will take place from Wednesday, Nov. 9 through Tuesday, Nov. 15.

“Bringing an event such as the Country Music Association Awards to New York City offers residents and guests alike the opportunity to experience our warmth, hospitality and family-friendly environment,” explains Deputy Mayor Doctoroff. “At the same time, an event that is one of the highest rated award shows each year will generate tremendous media exposure and, with the thousands of visitors expected, will yield a positive economic impact, projected in excess of $30 million,” offered Deputy Mayor Doctoroff.

“We are honored that the Country Music Association has decided to stage its biggest night on the world’s greatest stage,” said Ms. Reidy, President of NYC Big Events, Inc. “This week-long series of events, promotions and celebrations is sure to generate unprecedented interest and excitement for New York City, Country Music and our promotional partners. “Country Takes NYC” week provides great opportunities for New Yorkers from all five boroughs to get involved in this historic event,” explained Ms. Reidy.

“Country Music has become a part of America’s pop culture,” said Rick Murray, CMA VP of Strategic Marketing. “The City of New York is made up of so many facets from sports to theater to fashion. One of our goals in locating the 2005 CMA Awards in New York was to illustrate the breadth and depth of the music and how it is woven into the fabric of American culture. ‘Country Takes NYC’ is a perfect vehicle to accomplish this.”

During “Country Takes NYC” week, each day will be themed to showcase New York City’s industries, tourist destinations and world renowned attractions. The Official Country Takes NYC Themed Days are as follows:

• Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Culinary Day
  
• Thursday, Nov. 10 – Education Day
  
• Friday, Nov. 11 – History Day
  
• Saturday, Nov. 12 – Culture and Entertainment Day
  
• Sunday, Nov. 13 – Sports & Parks Day
  
• Monday, Nov. 14 – Fashion & Shopping Day
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 15 – CMA Awards Day

Examples of Specific Themed Days Events, include the following:

Culinary Day – Wednesday, Nov. 9
Restaurants from all over New York City will feature special discounts, promotions and country themed menu items, highlighting the culinary excellence for which New York City is well recognized.

• Discounts and special offers at restaurants
  
• Restaurants will play Country Music throughout the week
  
• The Food Network will celebrate Culinary Day with a special episode of “Emeril Live” featuring The Charlie Daniels Band and other activities in New York City.

Education Day – Thursday, Nov. 10
The Country Music Hall of Fame has partnered with New York City’s Department of Education to teach kids how to write Country Music songs.

• Some of Country Music’s top songwriters will put music to lyrics written by our New York City school children from selected schools representing all five boroughs
  
• This two-month curriculum will culminate with a recital performance by the New York City students with their songwriter partners

History Day – Friday Nov. 11
In honor of Veterans Day, Country’s top artists will be supporting the red, white and blue throughout New York City.

• Country Music artists will march in the Annual New York City Veterans Day Parade
  
• Country superstar Trace Adkins will honor Veterans at the Intrepid Museum's Annual Veterans Day Celebration
  
• The American Freedom Festival, traditionally held in Tampa, will relocate to the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. This event raises awareness for the veterans, America's armed forces and their families, whose lives have been affected by Operation Enduring Freedom. Country Music performers include Charlie Daniels, Mark Wills and Darryl Worley.

Culture and Entertainment Day – Saturday, Nov. 12
Country Music will be featured in famous New York City locations ranging from trendy downtown clubs to upscale venues.

• City-wide “Country Takes NYC” club promotion
  
• The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. and the Country Music Association will produce a unique and unprecedented event, “Broadway Meets Country”, featuring an impressive line-up of Broadway stars including Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bernadette Peters and Patrick Wilson and Country stars including Trace Adkins, Raul Malo, Lee Ann Womack and Trisha Yearwood. The event will be staged at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and will benefit the Actors’ Fund of America and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for victims of hurricane Katrina.
  
• MTA “Music Under New York” performances at Times Square, Penn Station, Port Authority and Grand Central Station
  
• Cliff Richard with special guests perform at Joe’s Pub
  
• Nashville Songwriters’ Showcase at Joe’s Pub

Sports & Parks Day – Sunday, Nov. 13
Country Music Stars take center field and join the legendary New York City sports scene.

• New York Road Runner Cross Country Championship Race (5K) in Van Cortlandt Park
  
• Country Music artist to sing National Anthem at the New York Giants Game

Fashion & Shopping Day – Monday, Nov. 14
The fashion capital of the world will present a City-wide retail shopping promotion at various stores all over New York City.

• Participating retailers in all five boroughs will offer discounts and special offers throughout the week

CMA Awards Day - Tuesday, November 15th
Brooks & Dunn will host “The 39th Annual CMA Awards” as they air live from Madison Square Garden on the CBS Television Network (8:00 – 11:00 PM/ET).

• Brooks & Dunn Ring Opening Bell for NYSE
  
• CMA Awards Red Carpet Arrivals with international media coverage

In addition to the “Country Takes NYC” themed day activities, there will be A-List Country Music performances throughout the entire week, in many of New York City’s top music venues and clubs. The following is a sample of some of the performances currently booked:

• B.B. Kings: Tracy Lawrence and Montgomery Gentry (Friday, Nov. 11)
  
• Joe’s Pub: Cliff Richard (Saturday, Nov. 12)
  
• Carnegie Hall: A special Grand Ole Opry 80th Anniversary Show comes to Carnegie Hall with performances by Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Charlie Pride and Ricky Skaggs (Monday, Nov. 14)
  
• Irving Plaza: Keith Urban (Sunday and Monday, Nov. 13 and 14)
  
• Nokia Theatre: Dierks Bentley, Pat Green and Cross Canadian Ragweed (Monday, Nov. 14)

“Country Takes NYC is a great celebration capturing the city’s excitement to host the 2005 CMA Awards with restaurants, retail stores and nightlife venues throughout New York City welcoming Country’s Biggest Night with special themed menus, in-store promotions, and live entertainment,” said Cristyne L. Nicholas, President & CEO, NYC & Company. “This special citywide promotion is a fantastic showcase of the diversity, culture and excitement that make New York a top destination for millions of country music fans from around the globe.”

Other major initiatives designed to create fun, memorable and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for New Yorkers and visitors include:

• Country Music stars will participate in Olympus Fashion Week aligning themselves with top designers to create fashions for them to wear to the 2005 CMA Awards.
  
• Advertising Week – City Officials, Country Music executives and CMA Awards promotional partners will partake in an industry panel
  
• ING New York City Marathon – Country Music artists will motivate runners and entertain crowds with performances along the world-class New York City Marathon circuit
  
• Country Music talent to perform the National Anthem at the Sunday, Nov. 6 New York JETS game
  
• Top Country recording artists including Big & Rich, Blue County, Cowboy Troy, Billy Currington, Erika Jo and Gretchen Wilson, will perform at the “Chevy All Access Music Tour” live from Union Square Park, Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8

New York City is also planning a comprehensive City-wide decoration program to promote The 2005 CMA Awards and the “Country Takes NYC” celebrations. This program includes street pole banners, bus stop shelters and phone kiosks.

For a comprehensive listing of all themed day activities and promotions, The New York Times Magazine will distribute the official “Country Takes NYC” Guide on Sunday, Nov. 6. In addition, for up-to-the minute “Country Takes NYC” updates, information and activities, viewers can tune into NYC Media Group’s NYC TV Channel 25 and 91.5 FM Radio New York.

Food Network will also present a star-studded night of country music on Saturday, Nov. 5. The night kicks off with “Emeril Live” and The Charlie Daniels Band at 8:00 PM/ET, followed by the premiere one-hour special, “Food Secrets of Country Music Stars” at 9:00 PM/ET. From Cowboy Troy in New York, to Darryl Worley at the Worleybird Cafe in Savannah, TN, to Shelly Fairchild in Saratoga Springs, NY, and Trent Willmon at the Grand Ole Opry, The Food Network uncovers favorite artists' fabulous country food favorites.

NYC Big Events, Inc.
NYC Big Events, Inc. is the City’s official organization dedicated to attracting high-profile events, creating new ones and working with existing major New York City events. NYC Big Events’ most recent successes include the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, the 2004 Republican National Convention, the 2005 VH1 Save the Music Benefit Concert, and the upcoming 2005 Country Music Association Awards.

Country Music Association
In 1958, CMA was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. Since then, membership has grown to nearly 6,000 companies and music industry professionals around the globe. The CMA Awards were first broadcast on network television in 1968 – making it the longest running, music awards program on network TV. Traditionally one of the highest rated awards specials of the year, more than 37 million people watched all or part of the 2004 CMA Awards, placing it behind only the Academy Awards and in a statistical tie with the GRAMMY Awards in ratings. In 2005, the event will be held outside of Nashville for the first time when “The 39th Annual CMA Awards” is broadcast live on the CBS Television Network from Madison Square Garden. The CMA Awards are produced by Walter C. Miller and directed by Paul Miller.

Media Contacts:

NYC Big Events
c/o Dara Busch
Rubenstein Public Relations
212-843-8079

Country Music Association
Wendy Pearl
615-244-2840

Country Music Association Representation:
Edelman Public Relations
Bridget Klein
212-704-4453