5-Time Grammy Nominee Hunter Hayes Set for All-New CMT INSTANT JAM Tonight

Students at The University of Kentucky are still buzzing about the surprise "Instant Jam" Hunter Hayes performed near their campus a couple of weeks ago, and now everyone can experience the fun-filled evening when "CMT Instant Jam: Hunter Hayes" premieres tonight, September 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Taped at the Lexington music club Cosmic Charlie's on the same day Hayes CELEBRATED his 24th birthday, the one-hour show gives a behind-the scenes look at all the moments leading up to the free pop-up concert and features rocking performances including Hayes' chart-topping smashes "Wanted" and "I Want Crazy," up-tempo hit "Tattoo" and current single, "21." Hayes played the exclusive show to a packed-in crowd of some 300 fans who maintained their high energy throughout the entire evening, jumping up and down and singing along with him at every opportunity - even serenading him with a special round of "Happy Birthday."

Hayes hinted to fans on Twitter days before the show that he had something special up his sleeve after tweeting that Darius Rucker's "Instant Jam" installment was "brilliant" and "kinda had him thinking." The next day he confirmed he would be doing a "CMT Instant Jam" of his own in Kentucky, followed by the news that it would take place in Lexington. Finally, on the morning of the show, he revealed where wristbands would be distributed and even enlisted the help of one lucky fan to help spread the word about the show.

Hailed as a "country-rock-blues guitar hero in the making" by the Los Angeles Times, five-time GRAMMY nominee Hunter Hayes is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who roared onto the music scene with his Platinum-selling, No. 1 self-titled debut album and chart-topping sophomore album, Storyline, on Atlantic Records. With three No. 1 singles already under his belt (including the multi-Platinum smash "Wanted," "Somebody's Heartbreak," and "I Want Crazy"), Hayes delved into unprecedented territory with the digital and streaming release new music and his latest single, "21." He just wrapped the Wheels Up Tour with Lady Antebellum and will launch a rare, limited run of dates with his own 21 Tour in October. For the latest updates, visit www.hunterhayes.com or follow on Twitter/Instagram @HunterHayes and www.Facebook.com/HunterHayes.

For more information on "CMT Instant Jam: Hunter Hayes," visit CMT.com, download the CMT App for exclusive footage, like CMT on Facebook, follow @CMT on Twitter and Instagram and use hashtag #CMTInstantJam. Each episode of "Instant Jam" features live performances and captures all the excitement and energy as artists reveal to fans how to score tickets to an exclusive show in their area, while giving a behind-the-scenes look at the hours leading up to their concert. Previous "CMT Instant Jams" include Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood.

CMT INSTANT JAM is executive produced by Margaret Comeaux, Leslie Fram and John Hamlin.

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