Country Music stars Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift host CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock as it airs 9-11 p.m. EST on Monday, Sept. 8, on ABC. "With these three beautiful and talented young women as our hosts and our 5.1 surround-sound mix, this year's special will feel physically different from anything we've done before," said Executive Producer Robert Deaton. "It will connect more directly with the television audience. And it will present the artists the way they should be presented, as the biggest touring and selling acts of any genre. Because that's what they are." Filmed in Nashville June 5-8 and directed by Gary Halvorson, the special features performances from several of today's most exciting Country Music stars including the hosts (Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift) and Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam. There's a new look for this year's special, the fourth consecutive summer ABC-TV has given viewers a taste of one of the signature American music festivals, which was launched in 1972 as Fan Fair. A huge Barco MiTRIX LED screen at the back of the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field complements each artist's performance with brilliant displays across its 30-feet-by-60-feet face. With 18 HD cameras capturing every angle and a helicopter circling above for dramatic overhead shots of the stage, the visuals promise to be as memorable as the music. In addition to the performances, CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock will follow Bucky Covington as he tries his hand as a tour guide, giving viewers a taste of the scope of CMA Music Festival, which dominates Downtown Nashville for four days each summer. John Rich of Big & Rich tells the tale of the rise of his friend Gretchen Wilson, who went from bartender to singer in Nashville honky tonks before making it big with hits including "Redneck Woman." Taylor Swift also gives an impromptu street performance on the steps of the Ryman Auditorium and signs autographs at the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall. Certain fans are surprised to learn they've been chosen for a "lucky day" meet and greet with their favorite stars. Faith Hill surprises admirers Juliette Warren and David Newton from Australia. Sarah and Elizabeth Marince, two young aspiring artists from Pittsburgh, Pa., take a trip with Julianne Hough to her recording studio and Kellie Pickler spends time with fans from Connecticut - Rob Levasseur from East Hartford, Nick Manciero from Bethany and Dan Orlowski from Woodbidge. Keith Urban meets Cara Corbett, Alex Hamel and Stephanie Hayward from Toledo, Ohio.
