• Local, State and Nat'l News

Academy of Country Music Partners with Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Dec. 4-13

For the third consecutive year, the Academy of Country Music will host the Academy of Country Music Stage at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) held in Las Vegas from Thursday, December 4th through Saturday, December 13th.  New country artists will take the Academy of Country Music Stage in the Cowboy Corral, a special area created by Las Vegas Events, to entertain NFR fans inside the Cox Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The event is free to NFR fans and open to all ticket holders.

The Academy of Country Music Stage will include performances from Kristy Lee Cook, Whitney Duncan, Randy Houser, Jake Owen, Jack Ingram, Crystal Shawanda, Aaron Watson, The Carter Twins, Trailer Choir, and the Zac Brown Band. Doors will open at the Cowboy Corral at 5:00 PM/PST during the week and 4:00 PM/PST on the weekend. Music performances on the Academy of Country Music Stage begin at 5:45 PM/PST on weekdays and at 4:45 PM/PST on weekends. Rodeo performances begin at 6:45 PM/PST during the week and on the weekend at 5:45PM/PST.

“The Academy of Country Music is proud to present a slate of such talented newcomers in country music,” said Michelle Goble, Director, Membership and Events for the Academy of Country Music. “NFR is a great opportunity to showcase talent and we’re thrilled that our reigning New Male Vocalist, Jack Ingram, will be our closing artist.”

The Academy of Country Music Stage artist line-up is as follows:

• Thursday, December, 4, 2008 – Trailer Choir, 5:45pm
• Friday, December 5, 2008 – Jake Owen, 5:45pm
• Saturday, December 6, 2008 – Kristy Lee Cook, 4:45pm
• Sunday, December 7, 2008 – Aaron Watson, 4:45pm
• Monday, December 8, 2008 – Crystal Shawanda, 5:45pm
• Tuesday, December 9, 2008 – The Carter Twins, 5:45pm
• Wednesday, December 10, 2008 – Whitney Duncan, 5:45pm
• Thursday, December 11, 2008 – Randy Houser, 5:45pm
• Friday, December 12, 2008 – Zac Brown Band, 5:45pm
• Saturday, December 13, 2008 – Jack Ingram, 4:45pm

Specific dates and times on additional entertainers during the Wrangler NFR can be found at www.NFRexperience.com.