New York City Welcomes Chevy Music Festival Featuring Three Days of Free Concerts and Attractions

NEW YORK, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Chevy Music Festival in Union Square Park" free public concert series hits New York City on Tuesday, September 6, bringing the sounds of Nashville to Union Square Park while revving up excitement for the 39th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. For three days, Chevy will treat urban cowboys and girls to twice-daily live shows by some of country music's biggest stars, along with attractions and activities for music fans of all tastes.

"Popular music is an undeniable component of Chevy's DNA," said Kim Kosak, Chevrolet general director of advertising and sales promotion. "And country music is increasingly crossing-over to attract huge, mainstream audiences. That's why we're so excited to bring The Chevy Music Festival to the Big Apple and give New Yorkers a chance to enjoy some great music -- while checking out some of our great cars and trucks."

The event dovetails with the September 7 announcement of the 2005 nominees for the CMA Awards Show, to be held for the first time ever in New York City on November 15. To help promote the CMA Awards Show in New York City, Chevrolet has formed a unique marketing partnership with the CMA and the City of New York.

"New York City is proud to partner with Chevy to bring country music to the City," said Jim Donofrio, Senior Vice President of Sales for NYC Marketing. "The Chevy Festival is just one way that our corporate partner is helping us promote the CMA Awards and New York City."

Acts scheduled to perform during noontime and late afternoon slots on Chevy's outdoor stage include some of the hottest singers in country music today: Blue County, "Nashville Star" winner Erika Jo, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy and Billy Currington.

"We are thrilled to be working with Chevy and the CMA Awards to create this exciting Music celebration using our City's unparalleled resources on the world's most commanding stage," said Ashley Jacobs, Vice President of Marketing, NYC Big Events. "Hosting the CMA Awards in New York City will generate an estimated $30 million economic impact benefiting New Yorkers."

Over the course of the Chevy Music Festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, visitors can see rare music memorabilia from the 1950s to today, including Elvis Presley's iconic jumpsuit from his 1972 Madison Square Garden concert, the "Give Peace a Chance" drawing by John Lennon, and Big Kenny's hat from the Big & Rich "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" video. Guests can compete for prizes in trivia contests, as well as burn a free CD of tracks from today's top rock, pop, hip-hop and country music artists at the on-site CD burning station.

The highlight of the Music Festival is the Chevy All Access Music Tour, a traveling showcase of pop culture memorabilia, live performances and interactive consumer experiences that kicked off in early June at the CMA Festival in Nashville, Tenn. The All Access Music Tour brings Chevrolet's "An American Revolution" campaign to life and is attended by thousands of consumers at high profile events throughout the year, including the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Detroit, the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race in Indianapolis and the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Billed as "Country Music's Biggest Night," the CMA Awards was the first music awards show to be broadcast annually on network television. CBS Television Network will air the show live from Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 15 at 8 p.m. EST.

Chevy Music Festival in Union Square Park Schedule Tuesday, September 6 12 p.m. Blue County 5 p.m. Erika Jo Wednesday, September 7 (date of CMA nominee announcement) 12:30 p.m. Big & Rich 5 p.m. Gretchen Wilson Thursday, September 8 12 p.m. Cowboy Troy 5 p.m. Billy Currington

All performances are held on the stage of the Chevy All Access Music Tour located in Union Square Park (between 14th to 17th Streets, between Park Avenue South and Broadway) and are free to the public. Attractions will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a division of General Motors Corp. . GM, the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 324,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at http://www.gm.com/.

NYC Marketing

NYC Marketing is a local development corporation created by the Mayor to provide alternative ways to generate revenue, support City agencies, and promote New York City globally for the growth of jobs and tourism. By developing innovative public-private partnerships that use the City's well regarded image and vast set of resources, NYC Marketing helps qualified partners grow their business while helping make New York City a better place to live, work and visit. More information on NYC Marketing can be found on http://www.nyc.gov/marketing.

NYC Big Events

NYC Big Events, Inc. is the City's official organization dedicated to attracting high-profile events, creating new ones and working with existing major New York City events. NYC Big Events' most recent successes include the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, the 2004 Republican National Convention, 2005 VH1 Save the Music benefit concert and the upcoming 2005 Country Music Association Awards.

Country Music Association

The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards were broadcast on network television -- making it the longest running, music awards program on Television. Traditionally one of the top five rated awards specials of the year, in 2004 more than 37 million people watched all or part of "The 38th Annual CMA Awards" on the CBS Television Network (11.5/18). CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the industry professional members of the Country Music Association, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. More information on CMA can be http://www.cmaworld.com/.