CHEAT TWEET:  #TimMcGraw #JenniferNettles #JasonAldean & more 2 perform, ACM PRESENTS: LIONEL RICHIE & FRIENDS – IN CONCERT, Apr. 13! http://bit.ly/y3pZce

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.  The concert will be taped April 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcast Friday, April 13 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) 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, 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,” withTim 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.”

“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,” said Orly Adelson, president of dick clark productions and executive producer of the special.

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 GRAMMY® Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe Award and a host of other awards from virtually every other major entertainment organization.  His catalog of timeless hits include “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 around the world.

          ACM PRESENTS:  LIONEL RICHIE AND FRIENDS – IN CONCERT is a produced by dick clark productions.  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.  

RATING:  To Be Announced

Photos will be available on www.cbspressexpress.com

Official CBS Website:  http://www.cbs.com/shows/acma/   

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AcademyOfCountryMusic

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/ACMawards

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CBS Press Contacts:

Andrea Ballas               818-655-1581             andrea.ballas@cbs.com

Kim Izzo-Emmet           212-975-3820             krizzo-emmet@cbs.com

CBS Photo Contacts:

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