Tuesday, May 19, 2009

ABC To Host Annual Block Party at CMA Music Festival in Nashville

How do you top the one-day ABC All Star Block Party, a hit at the 2008 CMA Music Festival? Simple: You make it twice as long and pack it with even more music, celebrities and activities during 2009 CMA Music Festival, June 11-14 in Nashville.

Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 12-13, the ABC Block Party, hosted by Cameron Mathison (ALL MY CHILDREN), promises entertainment for all ages. Held at the Hall of Fame Park (adjacent to Fifth Avenue between Broadway and Demonbreun), kids, along with more daring adults, can check out the two WIPEOUT obstacle courses. This fun-filled landscape somewhat tones down the challenges posed on the popular ABC WIPEOUT reality program, but hilarious (and painless) pratfalls, slips - in a word, wipeouts - are just as likely in this area next to the Dr Pepper-McDonald's Family Zone.

There will be plenty of music too, courtesy of the Divas of Daytime: Kathy Brier and Kassie DePaiva (ONE LIFE TO LIVE), and Bobbie Eakes (ALL MY CHILDREN), who are making their Nashville debut as a trio. In addition to performing Country and Southern rock favorites at the ABC Block Party Friday and Saturday, they will perform at a Saturday breakfast show at B. B. King's Blues Club, as well as an unplugged in the Durango Acoustic Corner inside the Greased Lightning Fan Fair Hall.

The Divas will also sign autographs, sit for Q&A sessions and mingle with fans at the ABC Block Party, along with their fellow ABC Daytime stars Bree Williamson (ONE LIFE TO LIVE); Thorsten Kaye (ALL MY CHILDREN); and Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Kimberly McCullough, Greg Vaughan, Laura Wright, and Rebecca Herbst (GENERAL HOSPITAL).

There will be special musical performances by several up-and-coming Country artists including Love and Theft, and Caitlin & Will (Friday, June 12) and Sarah Buxton (Saturday, June 13).

Beyond all that, the ABC Block Party will offer trivia contests (including one that pits experts on GREY'S ANATOMY against specialists in GENERAL HOSPITAL), Country line-dance lessons, a photo booth where people can take away a souvenir 4X6 photo from the ABC All Star Block Party, and more. ABC-branded souvenirs will be given away, including beach towels, cowboy hats, gift baskets, sunscreen and T-shirts. As a further respite from the anticipated heat, the network will distribute free snow cones.

"It's all about making sure that visitors to the Block Party feel like they're part of the network," added Marla Provencio, Executive VP, Marketing, ABC Entertainment. "Coming to CMA Music Festival allows us to deepen our engagement with potential viewers and strengthen our relationship with current fans of our shows."

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