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JIMMY BUFFETT PAIRS WITH COUNTRY'S BIGGEST STARS FOR NEW RCA ALBUM
TODAY Concert Series Welcomes Best-Selling Author Nashville - Following the monumental success of his chart-topping (plus CMA and ACM award-winning) duet with Alan Jackson, "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere," Jimmy Buffett sails farther into country waters with a new album, "License To Chill," featuring duets with some of country's top entertainers.

The project, due out July 13 on RCA, not only pairs Buffett and Jackson once again on a new duet, "Boats To Build," but also features collaborations between Jimmy and artists such as Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, George Strait and Toby Keith. The album's debut single, a playful rendition of the
Hank Williams classic, "Hey Good Lookin'," featuring an all-star cast of Clint Black, Chesney, Jackson, Keith and Strait, is rocketing up the country charts (#16 R&R, #19 Billboard).

Jimmy Buffett's influence on modern-day country music is evident when scanning the charts these days, from the recent Alan Jackson hit to Kenny Chesney's current sun-drenched duet with Uncle Kracker. This new album should have both country fans and Buffett fans reaching for the suntan lotion and mixing the margaritas. Hardly a stranger to Nashville, Buffett spent time in Music City in the early days before launching his wildly
successful career as a recording artist and best-selling author. His boxed set, "Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads," is one of the most successful ever, selling over four million copies, and he is one of only six authors ever to reach Number One on both the fiction and non-fiction lists as ranked by the
New York Times with his books "Tales From Margaritaville," "Where Is Joe Merchant?," and the most recent, "A Pirate Looks At Fifty." Buffett's fans, affectionately known as Parrotheads, flock to his sold-out shows from coast to coast year after year
to hear him perform classics like "Son of a Son of a Sailor," "Cheeseburger In Paradise," and of course, his signature "Margaritaville."
Fresh off a legendary one-of-a-kind Dallas concert with Alan Jackson and George Strait at Texas Stadium this past Memorial Day weekend, Jimmy will perform June 25 on NBC's "Today" Concert Series before heading out on select
tour dates across the country through the summer.
License to Chill track listing:

1. Hey Good Lookin' with Black, Chesney, Jackson, Keith, Strait
2. Boats to Build with Alan Jackson
3. License To Chill with Kenny Chesney
4. Coast of Carolina
5. Piece of Work with Toby Keith
6. Anything Anytime Anywhere
7. Trip Around The Sun with Martina McBride
8. Simply Complicated

9. Coastal Confessions
10. Sea Of Heartbreak with George Strait
11. Conky Tonkin' with Clint Black
12. Playin' The Loser Again with Bill Withers
13. Window On The World
14. Someone I Used To Love with Nanci Griffith
15. Scarlet Begonia
16. Back To The Island

CHRIS CAGLE (Capitol Records--Nashville) After his long hiatus, Chris Cagle heads back to the road next month, his vocal cords rested and in tip-top shape to perform! Cagle's first show is June 4 in Sparta, Kentucky where he will perform at the Country Stampede at the Kentucky Speedway. His summer tour is off to a steady start and brings him right into Fan Fair Week (Country Music Festival) where he will play in the Celebrity of Hope Softball Game, participate in the ESPN/Bassmaster Anglers and Artists Tournament, in addition to performing at the big stage at the coliseum. Chris closes his Country Music Festival schedule to kick off the Capitol Records Summer Concert Series at Nashville Super Speedway, Saturday, June 12. Chris will perform before the Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series race. To find out more about what Chris Cagle has been up to over the last several months watch CMT's Insider; Chris appears as a special guest on Friday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. CST.		MARK CHESNUTT THE LORD LOVES A DRINKIN' MAN ... Mark Chesnutt, a member of the Country Music Class of the 90's, who made traditional country music what is it is today, returns to the country music scene as a Vivaton artist. Chesnutt is recognized as one of country music's real treasures. He has four platinum albums, five gold albums, 14 No. 1 singles and 23 Top 10 singles to his name. He was Billboard's Ten Most-played Radio Artists of the 90's and was recognized by the CMA as a Horizon Award Winner in 1993. Mark kicks off the 2004 tour season with a bang! In addition to his show schedule, he is currently in the studio with producer Jimmy Ritchey working on his Vivaton album. The Vivaton record is tentatively scheduled to be released September 21. Mark's debut single "The Lord Loves A Drinkin' Man" is scheduled to be released in late June. Mark will return to the road this summer in support of the new project with his tour themed "Save The Honky Tonk."

Toby Keith "Big Throwdown Tour"

Headlining the festival will be Toby Keith, who will be debuting his new show. This will be the first date of his "Big Throwdown Tour".
Also appearing on the show will be country music stars Montgomery Gentry, Jo Dee Messina, Gretchen Wilson, and Scotty Emerick. The fun won't stop there, though, as other artists will be announced soon.
The New England Country Music Festival will be an all day event, with gates opening at noon. You can expect special guests throughout the day.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on May 15th at 10am ET.
Performers: Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Jo Dee Messina, Gretchen Wilson, Scotty Emerick and more!
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Date & Time: July 24th - Gates open at 12pm
Ticket Prices: Two ticket categories are available:
Category 1: $77
Category 2: $47

Mark Chesnutt has signed with Vivaton Records. Chesnutt is currently in the studio with producer Jimmy Ritchey working on his Vivaton album tentatively scheduled to be released Sept. 21. His debut single is scheduled for a mid-summer release

Martina DVD Certified GOLD

Nashville, TN -- Lifetime TV Champion for Change Martina McBride will be "on the plaza," Rockefeller Plaza that is, next Friday, May 14 as she performs on the TODAY Concert Series. The multi-platinum superstar joins an illustrious group of artists on this year's calendar, which includes Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and Avril Lavigne.

The May Redbook cover girl is also celebrating the Gold certification of her late 2003 DVD release, Martina. The collection features award-winning music videos for such hits as "Concrete Angel," "Blessed," and "Independence Day." "How Far," the third single from her Platinum album, Martina, is climbing the country charts: #28 in R&R and #29 in Billboard. Martina will perform the stirring song at the upcoming ACM awards gala in Las Vegas later this month. The reigning ACM Top Female Vocalist is nominated for four trophies this year, including Album of the Year and the Home Depot Humanitarian award. Nashville, TN -- Lifetime TV Champion for Change Martina McBride will be "on the plaza," Rockefeller Plaza that is, next Friday, May 14 as she performs on the TODAY Concert Series. The multi-platinum superstar joins an illustrious group of artists on this year's calendar, which includes Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and Avril Lavigne.

The May Redbook cover girl is also celebrating the Gold certification of her late 2003 DVD release, Martina. The collection features award-winning music videos for such hits as "Concrete Angel," "Blessed," and "Independence Day." "

How Far," the third single from her Platinum album, Martina, is climbing the country charts: #28 in R&R and #29 in Billboard. Martina will perform the stirring song at the upcoming ACM awards gala in Las Vegas later this month. The reigning ACM Top Female Vocalist is nominated for four trophies this year, including Album of the Year and the Home Depot Humanitarian award.

	TRACE ADKINS CAN NOW BE SEEN AND HEARD ON NEW K F C COMMERCIALS! Nashville, TN- May 5, 2004… Country star Trace Adkins-- the big man with the big voice – is now appearing on camera as the new pitchman for K F C. He can also be heard singing a new jingle for the Kitchen Fresh Chicken company. Earlier this year it was announced that Adkins had beat out several hundred people to be the new voice for the company’s new national television campaign. Now, the relationship with the famous food chain is growing and a guitar-slinging Adkins is featured on camera as well, during acclaimed primetime TV shows on several major networks. Although Adkins’ deep baritone is widely known for producing such country music hits as "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "I'm Tryin'," "Chrome," and his latest Top 5 hit, "Hot Mama," his distinctive speaking voice has been earning him several high profile film and television credits. On Sunday, May 16, Adkins’ voice will be featured once again on FOX’s Emmy-award winning animated series, King of the Hill (7:30 p.m. ET/ PT) as he portrays a redneck gang leader by the name of "Elvin." And on May 30, he’s set to narrate the Food Network special, "Cowboy Challenge," (9 p.m. ET/PT) a culinary showdown by more than twenty of the nation’s top cowboy cooking teams. "Rough & Ready" is Adkins’ latest hit single from the gold-certified Comin’ On Strong CD.

CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair(R) - Thursday-Sunday, June 10-13, 2004 - Downtown Nashville, TN

NEW THIS YEAR - During your visit to the 2004 CMA Music Festival, be sure to take advantage of the NEWLY OPENED Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge that connects the Downtown Nashville activities to the all-new Sports Zone located just outside The Coliseum.

You may also park in the Downtown Nashville surface lots and parking garages and walk the short distance over this new bridge to The Coliseum; or, park in the surface lots around The Coliseum and walk over the bridge to Downtown Nashville. Please know however, that CMA is not responsible for, nor do we control these parking lots and garages.

This pedestrian bridge will make it much easier for you to get around during the CMA Music Festival while enjoying the walk over the beautiful Cumberland River.

Nashville, TN –April 1, 2004 -- Today’s hottest country stars will step up to the plate for the 14th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge on Thursday, June 10th, at 1:00 p.m. The game will be held at Greer Stadium, home of the Nashville Sounds. Vince Gill, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Josh Turner, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Gretchen Wilson, Lonestar’s Dean Sams, Scotty Emerick, Jimmy Wayne, Andy Griggs, Mark Wills, Billy Dean, Chely Wright, Blue County, Rodney Atkins, Big and Rich, Tennessee Titan Drew Bennett, Nashville Predator Tomas Vokoun, and a host of other music and athletic celebrities will join the starting line-up. Team coaches Trace Adkins and Buddy Jewell, will lead the Opry Live and After MidNite teams in what will most certainly be an exciting and amusing game. This annual event has raised over one million dollars to support the City of Hope National Medical Center and the Beckman Research Institute in its		commitment to prevent and cure cancer and a host of other life-threatening diseases. The proceeds also support the humanitarian efforts of “The Spirit of Life” Endowment Fund for Middle Tennesseans who need the quality care and treatment provided by City of Hope. The City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center located in the Greater Los Angeles area, is one of the world’s leading research and treatment centers for cancer and other serious diseases including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The work conducted at City of Hope is shared with medical centers worldwide, touching the lives of millions of people everywhere. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling 615-255-9600. For more information about how you can support City of Hope’s lifesaving research and treatment programs, please call (800) 260-HOPE, or visit the Web site at www.cityofhope.org.

MARTINA MCBRIDE'S GREATEST HITS CERTIFIED TRIPLE PLATINUM Country Superstar Graces the Cover of Redbook and Honored on Times Square Billboards by Lifetime Television Nashville, TN (March 29 , 2004) - From Times Square to Sesame Street and all stops in between, the nation is getting a close up look at country superstar Martina McBride. Just this month, her Greatest Hits CD has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA and she has been recognized by the Academy of Country Music with four award nominations and by CMT with a Flameworthy nomination for her "This One's For the Girls" video. Next month promises to be equally exciting when on April 2nd, New York City residents and tourists will see Martina's name in lights on various electronic billboards in Times Square and around the country on Lifetime Television. Lifetime Television and the National Domestic Violence Hotline will salute Martina on several billboards including the most famous one in Times Square sponsored by NASDAQ and Liz Claiborne. The Times Square project honoring one man, one woman and one nonprofit organization taking a stand to stop violence against women will broadcast Martina's image with the message, "Lifetime joins The National Domestic Violence Hotline in a salute to Martina McBride for working together to stop violence against women. To learn more, go to lifetimetv.com." (See scheduled times below.)

On April 26th, she'll perform on the long running children's show, Sesame Street. Martina will star with Elmo in a duet called, "Let's Pretend." Martina and Elmo are also joined by Cookie Monster, Zoe, Grover, Rosita, Telly, Baby Bear and AM Elephant. Additional airdates include June 1, July 7, July 22, September 17 and October 26. (Check local PBS listings for exact times.) The reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year is also Lifetime Magazine's April celebrity spotlight with an "At Lunch With" profile. In addition to her CMT Flame Worthy Female Video of the Year nomination, she will perform on the CMT awards show Wednesday, April 21st. May continues the momentum, as Martina graces the cover of Redbook. The magazine will feature Martina as part of its "Musical Moms" cover story and includes Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper, Toni Braxton, Melissa Etheridge and Chynna Phillips. The issue will be on stands April 13 through May 10th. The well-known "family first" mother of two will also host the Mother's Day edition of "America's Grand Ole Opry Weekend." The radio show, syndicated by Westwood One and heard on over 200 stations across America, airs Mother's Day weekend (May 8 & 9). On May 26th, Martina will perform on the ACM Awards broadcast on CBS from Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay. The consecutive two-time ACM Female Vocalist is not only nominated for Top Female Vocalist, Video of the Year and Album of the Year but is being honored for her work with domestic violence organizations as a nominee for the ACM's Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The winner is fan voted through the ACM website and will be announced during the awards program. Additionally, Martina is the only female artist nominated in the Album of the Year category. Meanwhile, she's seeing the country from her tour bus as part of the mega-pairing tour of Martina and Alan Jackson. She is currently working with the National Domestic Violence Hotline to develop materials that will be distributed at her concerts giving victims a safe and secure number to call to receive the help they need. Martina's April 2nd Salute in Times Square and Lifetime Television: -NASDAQ screen at exactly 7:30 PM/4 Times Square (43rd & Broadway) Catch it on the internet at www.nasdaq.com running on the big NASDAQ screen exactly at 7:30 PM ET. -Reuters screen at exactly 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8:30 PM/3 Times Square (43rd & Broadway) -Hershey's Store ticker all day/1593 Broadway -Lifetime's website, www.lifetimetv.com has dedicated a special section to this project. -Shown on Lifetime Television between 6:15 and 6:30pm ET/PT (on your scheduled Friday).

Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, and Jimmy Wayne will join Chely Wright and special guest, Martina McBride, to perform at the 4th Annual Chely Wright and Friends Benefit Concert. The concert and corresponding celebrity auction scheduled to take place June 8 at the Wildhorse Saloon. The event benefits Wright’s Reading, Writing & Rhythm Foundation. For more info contact Charlene Daniels at 732-723-3504 or char@rwandr.org...	Phil Vassar recently found out that he has a new fan. Rocker, Uncle Kracker, was in town recording last week and asked Vassar to play piano on a track for his upcoming album The two enjoyed working together and Vassar ended up adding background vocals to a different song. The tracks are to be included on Uncle Kracker’s new CD...	Kenny Rogers and his wife, Wanda, recently learned that their identical twins, expected sometime in July, will be boys.

Who: IFCO "Fun Fest" SHOW (37th Annual)
What: Live music concert
When: Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Where: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn.
Benefit: Fan Club Challenge for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

* Ticket Cost: $38.00 (includes 9.25% tax/processing/handling.
* Buy Tickets NOW -
Online: www.ifco.org (Visa or MasterCard)
Phone: 615.371.9596 (Visa or MasterCard)
Fax: 615.371.9597 (Visa or MasterCard)
Mail: P.O. Box 40328, Nashville, TN 37204-0328
* Buy Tickets Later - Ryman Box Office
* Reserved Seating (assignment per order date).
* No memberships or other requirements to purchase.
* Show Cast: To Be Announced.
* Host: Robert K. Oermann

Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall, along with their Blue Collar Comedy

Tour co-headliner Larry The Cable Guy, have been approached by The WB television network to put together a new sketch comedy/reality show to be based in Atlanta, Ga. The network ordered six initial episodes.

LONESTAR'S "LET'S BE US AGAIN" CONTINUES TRADITION OF SMASH LEAD SINGLES

NASHVILLE, TN - BNA Records super-group Lonestar has another career song on their hands with "Let's Be Us Again," the debut single from the bands new album of the same name which is set to be released June 8.

"Let's Be Us Again," co-written by lead singer Richie McDonald, has achieved Top 30 status after only three weeks of radio airplay. Lonestar debuted the song to a boatload of country radio programmers, on RLG's annual Gen. Jackson boat cruise during Country Radio Seminar. In previous excursions, they have debuted career songs such as "My Front Porch Looking In," which went on to be recognized by Billboard Magazine as the Most Played Country Song of 2003 and "I'm Already There," which received accolades from BMI and ASCAP for Song of The Year for 2002. Those songs were also co-written by McDonald.

Speaking of career songs, Lonestar's smash song "Amazed," has surpassed the 800,000 detection mark according to BDS. The history making single held the # 1 position for a record-breaking nine weeks on R&R and eight weeks on Billboard's Country Singles Chart as well as two weeks atop Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart.

Lonestar's Greatest Hits album has been certified Platinum and last week the band received their fifth consecutive nomination from the Academy of Country Music in the category for Top Vocal Group of the Year, an award they won in 2002. The show airs live on CBS on May 26.

Nashville, TN - On the brink of hitting the road with the Rascal Flatts "I Melt Tour," which kicks off in Kalamazoo, Michigan tomorrow, Capitol Records recording artist Chris Cagle has been put on extreme vocal rest by his doctor, Dr. Robert Ossoff. This extended vocal rest is schedule to last through June 1.

"I cherish tremendously the opportunities I've been afforded in the music business," Cagle began, clearly upset by the prognosis. "But more than that, I value what the fans and country radio have given me. If I do not take the time to fix what's going wrong with my vocal chords right now, all of their support for me would have been for nothing -- and that's the last thing I want to happen because of how much they believed in me and my music."

In hopes of remedying the condition, Cagle has already undergone two weeks of vocal rest to no avail. His vocal chords are afflicted with a polyp, an unspecified lesion, a cyst and a granuloma says Dr. Ossoff. With complete vocal rest for a minimum of 60 days, the prognosis for the hard-singing Texan's vocal chords is good. He will need to abstain from concert performances and personal appearances that require talking.

Chris Cagle Cancels All Appearances Through June

Severe Vocal Chord Issues Force The Hard-Hitting Cagle Off The Road

"I love to play. I love the road. You never want to think that could be jeopardized," says Cagle. "Connecting with the fans is so important to me. That's what I live to do. Today I realized how quickly I could destroy everything the fans have given me: their love and their passion."

In addition to the two-month-long Rascal Flatts tour, Cagle will also be forgoing his Super bowl appearance later this month.

Since coming on the scene three years, Cagle has earned two Gold records Play It Loud and Chris Cagle (which debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart last year). His singles include the #1 hit "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out", three Top 5 hits "Laredo," "What A Beautiful Day" and "Chicks Dig It". He spent Fall 2003 on CMT's Most Wanted Live Tour with Rascal Flatts. A roughneck cowboy, USA Today opined, "country music is ripe for a larger than life figure with the potential to pack arenas. Cagle's over-the-top enthusiasm is bound to generate excitement", and Texas Music proclaimed him, "Loud, proud and driven."

CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE ONLINE

NASHVILLE - What will the well-dressed 2004 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair® attendee be wearing this year when the event is held Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13 in Nashville, Tenn.? Merchandise from CMA's one-stop, online fan shop.

"We are making a sample of our official merchandise available much earlier this year due to fan interest and requests," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "As people purchase their ticket packages - especially as gifts - they want something to wrap and present to the recipients. A CMA Music Festival T-shirt or cap fits the bill."

The online store features three items with a more extensive product line in development. Items currently available include CMA Music Festival cap ($20), which is embroidered on the front with the official event logo and on the back with the event name and date; the CMA Music Festival long sleeve shirt ($30), which features the event logo and CMA Music Festival logo T-shirt in blue ($25). To purchase official event merchandise visit www.CMAfest.com.

Four-day CMA Music Festival ticket packages are on sale now. Packages are divided into four categories, based on the level of reserved seating at The Coliseum (CMA Music Festival's Gold Circle ticket package is already sold out) and include nightly concerts at The Coliseum; daily concerts at Greased Lightning(tm) Riverfront Park Stages; daily admittance to the Wrangler® Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall); the Family Zone; free in-town shuttles; the official, CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops and more.

Gold Circle Full Price: SOLD OUT 14 and under: N/A	Lower Level Full Price: $125 14 and under: $186
Floor (Field) Full Price: $145 14 and under: $100	Club Level Full Price: $125 14 and under: $8

Four-day ticket packages for CMA Music Festival are easy to purchase. Order over the phone by calling the Festival box office, toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. Order early for the best available reserved seat at The Coliseum. All sales are final and non-refundable.

For information visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for e-news. 2004 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair is organized and produced by the Country Music Association.