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LUKE BRYAN, SARA EVANS, TIM MCGRAW & JENNIFER NETTLES JOIN JASON ALDEAN, THE BAND PERRY, KENNY CHESNEY, LADY ANTEBELLUM, MARTINA McBRIDE, RASCAL FLATTS & KENNY ROGERS TO PER

Tickets on Sale NOW at Ticketmaster.com for Taping of CBS Television Network Special at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, April 2, 2012

TO AIR FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Encino, CA (March 5, 2012) - The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced today that country music superstars Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and Jennifer Nettles have been added to the all-star lineup of artists scheduled to perform at the ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert taping Monday, April 2, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  The special will air Friday, April 13, 2012 on the CBS Television Network.

ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert is a special concert event of country music collaborations with the legendary Lionel Richie, featuring duets from his upcoming album Tuskegee, out March 26, 2012, along with solo performances. Some of Richie’s greatest hits will be performed by today’s hottest country artists including Jason Aldean (“Say You Say Me”), The Band Perry (“Penny Lover”), Luke Bryan (“Running with the Night”), Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum (“Truly”), Martina McBride (“Still”), Jennifer Nettles (“Hello”) and Rascal Flatts (“Dancing on the Ceiling”).  Duets with Richie include: “My Love” with Kenny Chesney, “Sail On” with  Tim McGraw, “Lady” with Kenny Rogers, and more surprises to be announced.

"It has been so rewarding to have my songs embraced by country music artists," said Lionel Richie. "Since Conway Twitty recorded 'Three Times a Lady' and Kenny Rogers sang 'Lady,' I have been welcomed into the country music family with open arms.  It's the ultimate compliment to have country artists record and perform songs that I've written.  I've always felt right at home in country because I was raised just down the road from Nashville in Tuskegee, Alabama, where I was immersed in country, R&B, gospel and classical music. This show will be a homecoming and family reunion combined, and I'm so glad that viewers will be able to share these special moments with us. It will be a night that I will remember for the rest of my life."

Orly Adelson, president of dick clark productions and executive producer of the special said, “We're honored to bring together the industry's greatest artists with Lionel’s legendary sound for what will be a once in a lifetime concert.”

Tickets for ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends In Concert are on sale NOW at Ticketmaster, priced at $200, $150, $100. Tickets proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, which works to improve lives through music.

About Lionel Richie

Music icon Lionel Richie has created an unforgettable body of work that speaks to the hearts of people of all races, faiths and ages around the world with his universal themes of life, love and loss presented with poetic simplicity and irresistible melodies.  He has earned sales of more than 100 million albums, 22 Top 10 hits, five Grammys, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe and a host of other awards from virtually every other major entertainment organization. His catalog of timeless hits includes "Say You, Say Me," "Easy," "Still," "Hello," "Stuck On You," You Are," "My Love" and "Endless Love."  

By defying boundaries, blending genres and ignoring trends to remain true to his heart, the gifted storyteller has shaped popular culture as his music has served as the soundtrack of several generations worldwide.  His music has remained at the forefront of his fans' milestone moments – first kisses, first wedding dances, first break-ups and first children.  It’s impossible to separate those memories and his music because they are inextricably intertwined. 

About ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert

The ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends - In Concert special will feature country music collaborations with the legendary Lionel Richie featuring duets and solo performances with some of today’s most incredible country artists.  The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, April 2, 2012 at 7:30 PM PT, to air 9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT on Friday, April 13, 2012 on the CBS Television Network.  Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers.  Barry Adelman is producer, and Bob Bardo is the executive in charge of production. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. Ticket sales from the special will benefit ACM Lifting Lives. For more information, log onto www.ACMLiftingLives.org or www.ACMcountry.com or follow us on Twitter at @ACMawards for more immediate updates.

Media Contacts:

Joanna Cichocki / Alicia Mohr

PMK•BNC

(310) 854-4800

Joanna.Cichocki@pmkbnc.com / Alicia.Mohr@pmkbnc.com