2nd Annual 'Broadway Meets Country' Scheduled for Oct. 30

Great stories and great songs are hallmarks of Country Music and Broadway musicals, and they are coming together again in 2006 for the second annual "BROADWAY MEETS COUNTRY" benefit concert presented by the Country Music Association (CMA) as part of "Nashville Celebrates Country," a week of activities leading up to "The 40th Annual CMA Awards."

On Monday, October 30, stars from the worlds of Country Music and Broadway will join together in a cabaret-like setting at the James K. Polk Theater at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. Broadway performers will sing their favorite Country songs and Country artists will sing their favorite Broadway show tunes – and there may be a few duets, pairing the artists together. This special charity concert is a celebration of the universality and crossover appeal of these two popular musical genres and some of their best performers. "BROADWAY MEETS COUNTRY" will raise funds for both TPAC Education and The Actors' Fund of America.

"Last year's Broadway Meets Country event in New York City was a tremendous success on many levels from the critical acclaim, to the artists' reaction, and overwhelmingly positive response from music lovers of both genres," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. "Bringing this one-of-a-kind musical event to Nashville as part of the activities leading up to the CMA Awards was an obvious choice and one that I am sure music and theater fans in Nashville will embrace."

The impressive line-up of artists scheduled to perform (with more talent to be announced soon) includes Country Music's Josh Gracin, Raul Malo, Lorrie Morgan, Jamie O'Neal, SHeDAISY and Lee Ann Womack along with Broadway's Laura Bell Bundy ("Dreamgirls" the movie, "Hairspray"), Dixie Carter ("Designing Women," "Thoroughly Modern Millie"), Michael Cerveris ("Sweeney Todd," "Assassins"), Eden Espinosa ("Wicked," "Brooklyn The Musical"), Renee Elise Goldsberry ("One Life to Live," "The Color Purple"), Brian d'Arcy James ("Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "Sweet Smell of Success") and Julia Murney (national tour, "Wicked," "The Wild Party").

"I don't know if people realize, but there is often a great camaraderie and level of mutual respect between artists, whether they're Tony winners, GRAMMY winners, CMA Award winners, MTV award winners, whatever," said Malo, who also participated in the 2005 "Broadway Meets Country" event. "We tend to have each other on the radar, and events like Broadway Meets Country that bring us together with people we admire and might not otherwise get to work with are really incredible. Hosting an event like this is really an honor for Nashville, and I can't wait to be part of it again this year."

"You can imagine how excited we are to see artists from Nashville and Broadway sharing our stage for this concert. These two worlds of entertainment intersect at TPAC on a regular basis, but this benefit is an extra special event for us—so unique and memorable for local audiences," said Kathleen O'Brien, TPAC President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are grateful to CMA for designating TPAC Education as one of the beneficiaries of the ticket sales. It will go a long way in supporting our educational mission and goals. On many levels, this is an important, exciting event for TPAC."

Those attending the 2006 concert will have the opportunity to hear classic Broadway songs reinterpreted by Country Music artists and classic Country songs performed by Broadway talent. Stephen Oremus, music supervisor for Wicked and Avenue Q both on Broadway and London's West End, returns as the evening's musical director and arranger. The event is co-executive produced by Jed Bernstein/Above the Title Entertainment in conjunction with CMA. Bernstein executive produced the 2005 "Broadway Meets Country" event while serving as President of the League of American Theatres and Producers.

"BROADWAY MEETS COUNTRY" will take place on Monday, October 30th (7:30pm/CST) at the James K. Polk Theater at TPAC (505 Deaderick Street) in Nashville, and kicks-off "Nashville Celebrates Country," a week of activities leading up to "The 40th Annual CMA Awards." The 2006 CMA Awards will be broadcast live Monday, November 6 (8:00pm-11:00pm/EST) on the ABC Television Network from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville.

Ticket prices for "BROADWAY MEETS COUNTRY" are $500, $150, $75 and $35. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning September 15 and are available online through www.tpac.org; in-person at the TPAC Box Office (Downtown or at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in the Mall at Green Hills); at all Ticketmaster outlets; or by calling Ticketmaster at (615) 255-ARTS (x2787). For additional concert information, please call (615) 244-2840 or visit www.CMAawards.com.

"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer; Robert Deaton is the Consulting Producer. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2006 CMA Awards. Chevy, an American Revolution, is the official ride of the 2006 CMA Awards. Additional promotional partners include aolmusic.com, Greased Lightning Cleaning Products, Hallmark Cards.

ABOUT "BROADWAY MEETS COUNTRY"

The first annual "Broadway Meets Country" benefit concert (November 12, 2005), presented by CMA and The League of American Theatres and Producers (under Jed Bernstein's direction) was co-hosted by CMA Award winner Lee Ann Womack and Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell. The concert was held at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. The unforgettable evening featured performances by Country Music's Trace Adkins, Glen Campbell, Billy Currington, Raul Malo, Neal McCoy, Richie McDonald, Jamie O'Neal, Julie Roberts, Carrie Underwood and Trisha Yearwood, along with Broadway's Jason Danieley, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Adriane Lenox, Marin Mazzie, Andrea McArdle, James Naughton, Marian Seldes, Saycon Sengbloh, Ben Vereen and Patrick Wilson. Among the evening's musical highlights: Glen Campbell's rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel; Billy Currington singing "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair Lady; Marin Mazzie performing the Dolly Parton single "9 to 5;" Andrea McArdle's rendition of "Fancy" first made popular by Bobbie Gentry and later, by Reba McEntire; James Naughton performing Johnny Cash's single "I've Been Everywhere;" Raul Malo and Renee Elise Goldsberry performing the Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton remake of "We've Got Tonight;" Carrie Underwood and Patrick Wilson's duet of "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors; and Ben Vereen performing Roger Miller's classic "King of the Road."

COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS

Josh Gracin, an "American Idol 2" finalist, has found huge success in the Country Music arena, with three consecutive Top Five singles from his 2005 Gold certified self-titled debut CD. His Number One hit "Nothin' To Lose" is also certified Gold. Gracin recently made his acting debut on daytime's number one drama, "The Young and The Restless" (CBS).

Raul Malo is a versatile musician and solo artist whose song styling ranges from county to Latin to jazz to rock and roll. His latest album, You're Only Lonely is earning critical acclaim, including four-stars from People magazine. He is the former lead singer for The Mavericks, with whom he performed from the late 80s until 2001.

Lorrie Morgan recently released her 12th album, Show Me How. Lorrie quickly became one of Country Music's most popular and successful female artists charting over a dozen Top Ten hits including "Five Minutes," "What Part of No," and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" which all landed at Number One.

Jamie O'Neal earned two Grammy nominations as a songwriter for her #1 hit singles "There Is No Arizona" and "When I Think About Angels" from her debut album Shiver (2000). In addition, Jamie earned a third Grammy nod for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for 'Arizona.' Her last album Brave boasted an impressive nine of 11 songs written by O'Neal.

SHeDAISY, the multi-platinum group is Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn. The name SHeDAISY was taken from a Native American word meaning "my sisters." Their first album, The Whole Shebang produced the Top Ten hit singles "Little Good-Byes," "This Woman Needs," "I Will...But" and "Lucky 4 You (Tonight I'm Just Me)." In 2004, SHeDAISY returned with the album Sweet Right Here and the Top Ten hit, "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing." They just released their fourth studio album, Fortuneteller's Melody and a new single "In Terms of Love."

Lee Ann Womack is best known for her hit song "I Hope You Dance," which was both a Country and pop success. In 2005 she released her latest album, There's More Where That Came From, which is influenced by classic Country Music. She was nominated for six 2005 Country Music Awards (including Female Vocalist of the Year), winning three CMAs for single of the year, album of the year and best musical event for her duet with George Strait.

BROADWAY PERFORMERS

Laura Bell Bundy made her Broadway debut as Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray. She played Marah on "Guiding Light" (1999-2001) and originated role of Tina Denmark in Ruthless! (Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk nominations). She will also appear in the movie adaptation of Dreamgirls (starring Jamie Foxx and Beyonce), due in theaters December 2006.

Dixie Carter last appeared on Broadway as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She also appeared as Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's Master Class, and drew critical praise as novelist Jacqueline Susann in Paper Doll at the Long Wharf Theatre. Dixie is known internationally as Julia Sugarbaker in the long-running hit CBS series "Designing Women."

Michael Cerveris received a 2006 Tony nomination for the title role in Sweeney Todd opposite Patti LuPone. Other Broadway credits include: Assassins (Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle Award; original cast album, Grammy nomination), The Who's Tommy (Tony nomination; Theatre World Award; original cast album, Grammy) and Titanic.

Eden Espinosa is currently starring as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, on Broadway in Wicked. She made her Broadway debut starring as the title role in Brooklyn The Musical.

Renee Elise Goldsberry currently stars on ABC's "One Life to Live" as Evangeline Williamson, earning a 2006 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. She originated the role of Nettie in The Color Purple on Broadway and appeared as Nala in The Lion King. Other credits include Sylvia in the Public Theater/Shakespeare in the Park production of Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Brian d'Arcy James earned a 2002 Tony nomination starring as Sidney Falco opposite John Lithgow in the musical, Sweet Smell of Success. Other Broadway credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (current cast) and original roles in The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Titanic.

Julia Murney is currently starring as Elphaba in the first national tour of Wicked. Julia recently released her first solo album through Sh-K-Boom titled I'm Not Waiting. She also appeared on Broadway in Lennon and off-Broadway in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party (Drama Desk Nomination) and The Vagina Monologues.

PRODUCING/CREATIVE TEAM

Country Music Association (Co-Executive Producer). The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards were broadcast on NBC television for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network TV. Research estimates that more than 36 million viewers watched all of part of the ceremony in 2005. The broadcast ranked behind only the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes during the 2005-06 television season for award shows among total viewers, making the CMA Awards the top-rated music awards program of the television season.

Jed Bernstein / Above the Title Entertainment (Co-Executive Producer). After 11 years as President of the League of American Theatres and Producers, Jed Bernstein founded Above the Title Entertainment to produce for Broadway and Television. Having significantly broadened Broadway's awareness and impact via dozens of industry-wide programs while at the League, Bernstein is developing projects across multiple media utilizing Broadway as a creative platform.

Stephen Oremus (Musical Director and Arranger) is currently music supervisor/conductor/arranger for "Wicked" (original cast recording) and music supervisor/arranger/orchestrator for "Avenue Q" (original cast recording). Previously, he was music supervisor/arranger/orchestrator for Jonathan Larson's "tick, tick…BOOM!" in New York and on the national tour (original cast recording) and music director for Andrews Lippa's "The Wild Party" at Manhattan Theatre Club (original cast recording).

BENEFICIARIES

Tennessee Performing Arts Center – TPAC Education (Beneficiary) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to providing and supporting the presentation of the performing arts to the citizens of Tennessee. Its four stages are home to Broadway Across America, TPAC's Family Field Trip, TPAC Presents, Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, Tennessee Repertory Theatre and a variety of special engagements. TPAC Education administers one of the largest and most comprehensive arts-in-education programs in the United States, offering learning opportunities for children and adults. Bringing students to TPAC for performances, providing teachers with resources, and sending artists to schools, TPAC Education has served more than 1.4 million young people from pre-school to high school over the past two decades. For more information, visit the web site, www.tpac.org.

The Actors' Fund of America (Beneficiary) founded in 1882, is the national human service organization, helping all entertainment professionals in theater, television, film, music, opera and dance. The Actors' Fund's broad spectrum of programs – designed to address the specific needs of the community – includes comprehensive social services, health services, emergency financial assistance, supportive and affordable housing, career counseling, and skilled nursing and assisted living care. The Fund's Emergency Assistance Fund supports our community in times of critical need. Administered from offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, these programs address essential needs and help people solve problems. Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell serves as President, Board of Trustees. Joseph P. Benincasa is Executive Director. For more information, visit www.actorsfund.org.