Brett Eldredge & Thomas Rhett to Host CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL: COUNTRY'S NIGHT TO ROCK on ABC

Two of country music's hottest male vocalists will team up to host the summer's hottest television music event when the ABC Television Network airs CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL: COUNTRY'S NIGHT TO ROCK on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT). Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett will host the three-hour special that brings country music's most storied festival to a national television audience. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" will be executive produced by Robert Deaton.

The announcement of Eldredge and Thomas Rhett as hosts was made this morning on "Good Morning America." Click to watch the newly announced hosts test their skills in this video.

"I've played my heart out on every size stage at CMA Fest, from the crowds of 20 to the big stadium, because I love the energy of the festival and the country music fans so much," said Eldredge. "And now I get to host the whole thing with one of my best pals. You can't beat that!"

"As a fan, CMA Music Fest was always the biggest event of the year for me. Some of my favorite memories are me and my buddies sitting in the nosebleeds watching our heroes play," added Thomas Rhett. "It's surreal and a huge honor to be hosting and performing on this stage."

Singer-songwriter Eldredge, who just released his new single, "Wanna Be That Song," recently celebrated his fifth consecutive No. 1 single, "Drunk On Your Love." It's the second single from his sophomore album "Illinois," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart upon its release. The album has already yielded the No. 1 single "Lose My Mind." The 2014 CMA New Artist of the Year co-wrote and co-produced every song on the 12 set disc, which follows on the heels of his 2013 debut album, "Bring You Back." That album spawned three consecutive No. 1 singles, including the Platinum "Don't Ya," the Gold "Beat of the Music," which was the most played country song of 2014, and the Gold "Mean To Me."

Known for his world-class vocals, Eldredge has performed his songs on nearly every major television show in the country, and recently wrapped his first headline tour, "CMT on Tour: Brett Eldredge & Thomas Rhett - Suits & Boots." For more information, please visit:
http://www.bretteldredge.com / facebook.com/bretteldredge / Follow: @bretteldredge

The undeniable success of multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Thomas Rhett brings "an ushering in of country's future" (Rolling Stone), as the singer continues to break milestones after solidifying back-to-back Platinum No. 1 singles off his sophomore album, "Tangled Up" (The Valory Music Co.), with "Crash And Burn" and the record-breaking smash "Die A Happy Man." After marking five consecutive chart-toppers, the artist NOISEY calls "one of Country's perennial 'next big things,'" delivers his latest single "T-Shirt," which has quickly escalated up the Top 10 at country radio. Thomas Rhett remains on the road this year with sold-out headlining dates and as direct support for Jason Aldean's "Six String Circus Tour." For a full list of upcoming tour dates and appearances, visit www.thomasrhett.com.

Filmed during CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL June 9-12, the special features many of today's most exciting country-music stars, as they hit the stage during the four-day celebration of America's music. The annual event is unlike any other, with meet-and-greets in Fan Fair X, live music on 11 stages, more than 500 artists and celebrities, and a guest list of 87,000 avid singing-and-dancing-till-dawn fans.

The special first aired in 2004. This is the 12th time ABC will broadcast the special - which invites the whole country to America's largest Country Music celebration. Artists appearing in the television special have not yet been announced. The special will air on ABC through 2021.

Funds generated through CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL ticket sales for the Nightly Concerts and Fan Fair X benefit music education, reaching 1 million children across the United States. Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $13.6 million to support sustainable music education initiatives across the country on behalf of the artists who participate in the event for free.

For upcoming talent announcements and all other info stay connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, Instagram.com/CMA, "CMAsnaps" on Snapchat, and sign up for CMA Country Connection, CMA's e-newsletter. This year's app is now available in the App store for iPhone and Android and includes features that allow fans to create individual concert schedules and be the first to know which of their favorite stars will be appearing on the free stages throughout the Festival.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of WSM, Incorporated and is used by permission.

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