Little Big Town to Host ABC's CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL, 8/12

By: Caryn Robbins May. 28, 2013

Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will host the summer's hottest television music event when the ABC Television Network airs "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" on MONDAY, AUGUST 12 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET).

"It's an incredible honor to be hosting this year's CMA Fest," said Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. "We could not be more excited about the party that's going to break out at LP Field every night!"

Little Big Town members Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook first entered the music scene more than 13 years ago with such hits as "Boondocks," "Bring It on Home," "Good as Gone" and the Grammy-nominated single, "Little White Church." The quartet's fifth studio album, "Tornado," was released on September 11, 2012 and debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Chart, where it stayed in the No. 1 position for five consecutive weeks. The album, which is certified Gold, was produced by Jay Joyce and includes the double Platinum-selling, No. 1 hit single, "Pontoon," and the follow-up single and title-track, "Tornado," which also reached No. 1. Their current single, the emotionally-charged "Your Side of the Bed," is at radio now and quickly climbing the charts.

Collectively the group have earned more than 25 award nominations and have taken home the trophies for CMA Single of the Year ("Pontoon") and CMA Vocal Group of the Year, and a Grammy Award for Best Country Group/Duo Performance ("Pontoon"). The foursome have played in front of more than four million people to date and recently wrapped The Tornado Tour, their sold-out headlining tour across the U.S. and Canada. They will join Keith Urban on tour later this summer.

Filmed during CMA Music Festival Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, the special features many of today's most exciting Country Music stars as they hit the stage during the four-day party and celebration of America's music. The annual event is unlike any other, with autograph signings in the new Fan Fair X, live music on 11 stages, more than 450 artists and celebrities and a guest list of 71,000 avid singing-and-dancing-till-dawn fans.

The special first aired in 2004 and is marking its 10th anniversary in 2013. This is the ninth 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.

Artists performing as part of the sold-out nightly concerts at LP Field during 2013 CMA Music Festival include Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. Several legacy acts are performing, too, including Lee Greenwood, Tracy Lawrence, Randy Travis, Brett Eldredge, Gloriana, Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis. The Oak Ridge Boys are scheduled to perform the National Anthem.

Fans can stay in the loop by visiting

CMAfest.com,

the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA exclusive e-news. Fans can also connect with CMA at

Facebook.com/CMA,

Twitter.com/countrymusic,

Pinterest.com/CMAworld,

and

Instagram.com/CMA_Country_Music_Association.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet is the Official Ride of Country Music. Bud Light is the Official Beer of the CMA Music Festival. Pepsi is the Official Soft Drink of the CMA Music Festival. Transitions Adaptive Lenses: the Official Eyewear of the CMA Music Festival. American Airlines is the Official Airline of CMA Music Festival. Bad Boy Buggies are the Official UTV of the CMA Music Festival.