
The initial lineup of performers has been announced for this summer's CMA Music Festival , which will feature stars including Faith Hill , Alan Jackson and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood .
The four-day fan-appreciation extravaganza in Nashville has also nailed down Dwight Yoakam , reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Sugarland , reigning CMA Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift , Jewel , Miranda Lambert , Josh Turner , Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler and Lady Antebellum.
"What's amazing about this year's lineup is that we have artists who are fan favorites, those who support the event year after year, coming to perform once again, as well as an outstanding list of artists who are making their first appearance or returning to our event after time away," Country Music Association CEO Tammy Genovese said in a statement.
Hill will appear for the first time since 1998, Yoakam last performed at the event in 1988 and Jewel is making her CMA Music Festival debut.
The announced performers will headline nightly concerts at LP Field during the June 5-8 event in downtown Nashville. Tickets and four-day festival packages are currently on sale. Details are available at the CMA Music Festival website.
The annual event, originally dubbed Fan Fair, is entering its 37th year. Each June, artists take time out of their touring schedules to perform for free, meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos as a way of giving back to the community that has supported them throughout the year.
In addition to nightly concerts and daily autograph sessions, festivities include non-stop music during the day, shopping and lifestyle exhibits, CMA Celebrity Close Up sessions, competitions in the Chevy Sports Zone and after-hours activities in the clubs and bars around downtown Nashville.
Half the net proceeds from the festival are donated to the "Keep the Music Playing" charity campaign, which supports music education in metro Nashville's public school system. To date, the CMA has donated more than $1 million to the cause, according to a press release.
Last year, the CMA Music Festival drew a record-setting 191,000 fans from all over the world and featured more than 400 artists and celebrities, 100 hours of concerts and 35 hours of autograph signings.