Gary Allan to Kick Off 2011 CMA Music Fest With Debut Riverfront Stage Performance

Gary Allan has been scheduled to help kick off the 2011 CMA Music Festival held in the heart of downtown Nashville on Thursday, June 9. Allan will perform on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage at 10:00AM CT, marking the first performance of his career on that stage. This is Allan's first performance at CMA Music Festival since 2006.

This year's CMA Music Festival marks the 40th anniversary of the event that draws fans from all over the world for the four-day music fest. The 2011 CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12.

The Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage are free and open to the public. This year's Riverfront lineup includes performances by Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Jack Ingram, Sammy Kershaw, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, Steel Magnolia, Frankie Ballard, Bucky Covington, Brett Eldredge, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Montana, Heidi Newfield, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, Darryl Worley, Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Holy, Lonestar, David Nail, Corey Smith, Mel Tillis, Chuck Wicks, the Bellamy Brothers, Terri Clark, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Josh Kelley, LoCash Cowboys, Jerrod Niemann, Troy Olsen and Sunny Sweeney.

Artists scheduled to perform at the LP Field stadium's Nightly Concerts include Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Kelly Clarkson, Sugarland, Easton Corbin, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Ashton Shepherd, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Josh Turner, Chris Young, the Band Perry, the JaneDear girls, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton.

More artists will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on the 2011 CMA Music Fest or to purchase tickets, visit the official website here or call 1-800-CMA-FEST. Ticket prices range from $115-$325, plus handling fees, for four-day passes. Single night tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are also available for $35, plus handling fees.