'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock,' to Air 8/7

This summer will heat up when ABC puts a spotlight on Nashville for the hottest music event of the year, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock." Filmed June 9-12, today's most exciting Country Music stars hit the stage during a four-day party and celebration of America's music for a special that will air SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band are among the artists who will perform on the special.

The annual event, which celebrated its 40th year in 2011, is unlike any other: Four days, 30 hours of autograph signings, 100 hours of live music, hundreds of artists and celebrities, and a party list of thousands of avid, singing and dancing-till-dawn fans. This is the seventh time ABC will broadcast this special which invites the whole country to America's biggest Country Music bash.

Originally started as Fan Fair(R) in 1972, the event has featured performances by every major star in the genre. What started with 5,000 fans has grown to a daily attendance of more than 65,000, representing every state and 27 countries. The primetime special, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," debuted in 2004 on CBS as a two-hour special highlighting the Festival and Music City. In 2005 the special moved to the ABC Television Network, and it expanded to three hours in 2009.

In 2010, the special helped ABC hit a Wednesday summer high in both Total Viewers (6.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.7/5). It also grew by 6% year to year with Women 18-34 (1.8/6 vs. 1.7/5).

"CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" is executive-produced by Robert Deaton. The 2011 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.