Martina McBride

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC ANNOUNCES 2011 ENDOWMENT

TO ACM LIFTING LIVES

ON BEHALF OF ARTISTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN

“GIRLS NIGHT OUT: SUPERSTAR WOMEN OF COUNTRY” SPECIAL

The Academy of Country Music is announcing a $661,000 endowment to ACM Lifting Lives, made on behalf of the artists who participated in the taping of “Girls Night Out: Superstar Women of Country” concert special in Las Vegas in April. Ticket proceeds from the taping went to ACM Lifting Lives®.

Honorees The Judds, Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Reba and Carrie Underwood along with special performers Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, the JaneDear girls, Little Big Town, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton all participated in the taping, with more than 8 million viewers tuning in to the special on CBS in April.

“ACM Lifting Lives thanks these artists for generously donating their time and talent for the taping,” said Gayle Holcomb, Chairman of ACM Lifting Lives. “We are grateful to them and for the opportunity to continue serving our many wonderful beneficiaries.”

About ACM Lifting Lives

ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.   Each year, ACM Lifting Lives provides grants to music therapy and music education programs.  Other giving includes serving members of the country music community who face unexpected medical or financial hardship through the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund and partnering with artists to improve lives through music. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

Photo:  Honorees from “Girls Night Out: Superstar Women of Country” (Getty Images/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music & dick clark productions)