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Steve Wynn celebrates a relationship with Garth Brooks to present a series of special engagements at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Concerts begin December 11, 2009.

The Chairman of the Board and CEO of Wynn Resorts describes the first time he saw Brooks perform for friends: "Everything about Garth's performances--his artistry, the range of his voice and connection with his audience--is something that I haven't seen since the Rat Pack. In show business, for a single performer to lift an entire audience emotionally to the point where they pray it doesn't end, is an extraordinary and unique thing that only a few gifted people can do. But that is what I experienced when I saw Garth on stage, alone with his guitar, doing a history of his personal journey in music. I watched a man create instant love in real time, right before my eyes. Now we have the privilege at Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas to share this extraordinary, intimate experience with everyone," says Wynn.

"Steve Wynn has done what I thought was impossible. He has given me a chance to sing again for the people, while at the same time never missing a day with my children," says Brooks. "I am naturally nervous, but it feels good to be out from under the low ceiling of 'retirement' I put on myself."

About Garth Brooks

Certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as the #1 selling solo artist in U.S. history, Garth Brooks has sold in excess of 128 million albums. He is the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million mark. His most recent release, The Ultimate Hits, has been certified five times platinum. Garth became the first artist to put out a simultaneous edition of his latest collection for a charitable cause. November 6, 2007 saw the launch of the pink edition of The Ultimate Hits available only at the Susan G. Komen Web site. His body of work--including the groundbreaking No Fences, Ropin' The Wind, The Hits, and Double Live--propelled country music as a genre to the front pages of newspapers worldwide and the covers of magazines, to the point where Forbes declared on its cover, "Country Conquers Rock," and featured Garth in a major music piece. According to RIAA, Garth is the top-selling solo artist of the 20th century.

The key to his record-setting success lies within the personality and talent of Garth Brooks. It has been said that through the 1990s, Garth's only real competition was himself. He brought daring individualism and a love of music to the table. His wide range encompasses a variety of styles which include working class blues, honky tonk, bluegrass and arena rock. His easy-going, approachable charisma was matched only by his fearless willingness to take chances and step outside the lines. He has had an unprecedented run so far, and opened the doors for many more country artists to follow.

Garth has received every accolade the recording industry can bestow on an artist, including, two Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, five World Music Awards, 12 People's Choice Awards and 36 Billboard Music Awards. He was named Artist of the '90s at the 1997 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, received the Artist Achievement Award at the 1997 Billboard Music Awards and was named Artist of the Decade at the American Music Awards in 2000 and the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1999.

In the midst of one of the most successful careers in music history, Garth retired in 2001, delivered his last record for Capitol Records and moved back to Oklahoma to raise his children. While in retirement, when called upon by events greater than his own self-interest, he returned to the stage. The latest of these was when the President himself requested that Garth headline President Obama's Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. He performed as Barack and Michelle Obama, their girls, Joe and Jill Biden and a crowd of over 300,000 lined the mall from the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the Washington Monument. It was a moment in history when all did the "wave" to Garth's performance of "Shout," while the President sang along. Once again, Garth was called upon by the NBC network to perform for President Obama's very first late night TV appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. When the Governor of California asked for Garth's help, he responded by performing five concerts in two days, where proceeds from 83,000 tickets sold were donated to efforts to prevent fire catastrophes. Portions of the live concerts were shown as a TV special titled, "Garth Brooks: Live in L.A," where viewers donated to the organization Fire Intervention Relief Effort (FIRE).

SOURCE Wynn Las Vegas

Taylor Swift, who The New York Times described as "one of pop's finest songwriters, country's foremost pragmatist, and more in touch with her inner life than most adults," has surpassed the 10 million milestone for record sales. This 10 million number represents actual full albums sold - in addition, Taylor has sold over 20 million paid song downloads, more than any artist in country music history.

19-year old Taylor, who writes all of her own material, released her now quadruple-platinum self-titled debut CD in October of 2006 on Big Machine Records, and followed it up with the Fearless album two years later. Fearless was the country's top selling album for the first 33 weeks of this year, and now has sales of more than 4 million copies in the US and Gold and Platinum certifications in fourteen countries spanning five continents.

Taylor's 10 million albums sold include the following:

    Taylor Swift                          4,369,749 units US
    Fearless                              4,020,725 units US
    Taylor Swift & Fearless               1,297,059 units International
    Beautiful Eyes                        256,822 units (Wal-Mart only)
    The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection   151,844 units

Taylor has had singles top both the Country and Pop radio charts, and sold more albums last year than any other recording artist, in any genre of music. Her #1 single "Love Story" has become a global sensation, topping airplay charts worldwide, in countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Taylor just celebrated her 4th consecutive #1 single in the US, and her fifth #1 out of her last six singles released.

Her sophomore release, Fearless, was voted 2009's Album of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, and reached double-platinum in just four weeks. Fearless was the year's biggest debut for any female artist, and the fourth highest debut of 2008, over all. Now quadruple-platinum, Fearless has spent more weeks in the #1 position atop Billboard's Top 200 all-genre CD sales chart than any other album this decade. Taylor currently holds the Billboard all-genre record for most Top 20 debuts in a calendar year. Taylor's first-ever headlining tour, the TAYLOR SWIFT FEARLESS 2009 TOUR, is the hottest ticket on the market, with capacity crowds packing arenas around the globe. This summer Taylor sold out a show at Madison Square Garden in one minute, and one at Los Angeles' STAPLES center in just two minutes.

In 2009 Taylor was awarded the Academy of Country Music's Crystal Milestone Award, given for Outstanding Achievement in Country Music. Taylor was the 2nd artist in history to receive this prestigious award -- Garth Brooks received the award in 2007. Also this year, Taylor won CMT Music Awards for Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year, awards she was also honored with in 2008. In addition, she won 2009 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Female Artist and Choice Music Album - Female Artist. Taylor was named 2008's Favorite Female Country Artist at the American Music Awards, and Top New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. She was named Choice Breakout Artist at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards, and was honored as the 2008 Superstar of Tomorrow at the 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards, making her the first musician to ever receive this prestigious award. In 2007 she won the CMA Horizon Award, as well as the Nashville Songwriters Association International's Songwriter / Artist of the Year, and she received a GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist.

To hear music from Taylor Swift, log on to: www.taylorswift.com or www.myspace.com/taylorswift.

For Fearless album art and downloadable photos of Taylor Swift, log on to www.bigmachinerecords.com and click the media tab.

SOURCE Big Machine Records

The announcement of the final nominees for the 2009 CMA Awards will be carried live on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from the "Good Morning America" studios in the heart of New York City's Times Square on the ABC Television Network.

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on ABC and is hosted for the second year by reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood. (shown below)

The final nominees in select categories will be announced by Darius Rucker, who has quickly established himself as a fan and industry favorite with three No. 1 singles to his credit, and Lee Ann Womack, a former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year with 18 career CMA Awards nominations to her credit. The live announcements will take place during the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour of the morning news program.

"I was so honored to perform at the 2008 CMA Awards Show, and I feel privileged to be a part of this year's nominee announcement," said Rucker.

Rucker first came to prominence as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the pop group Hootie & The Blowfish, whose 1994 debut, Cracked Rear View, sold more than 16 million copies to become one of the best-selling albums in history. In early 2007, Rucker signed with Capitol Records Nashville and has since been embraced by the Country Music community with his chart-topping 2008 debut, Learn To Live - an album that has produced three consecutive No. 1 singles. Rucker's transition has been highly praised, with The New York Times proclaiming he has "one of the year's most vibrant Country albums." Rucker is currently on tour with Rascal Flatts.

"The excitement that comes with the announcements of the CMA Award nominations brings me such delight every year," Womack said. "I can remember watching the Awards as a young Texas girl and dreaming of one day being a part of something that brings such honor to what I've always been so passionate about. It's a time to celebrate the artists, songwriters, musicians, producers and the industry in general."

Womack has sold more than six million albums, won two Grammy's, numerous other milestone awards, and received notoriety for her last album There's More Where That Came From. Released February of '05 on CD and classic vinyl, There's More swept CMA Award trophies the fall of the same year for Album of the Year and Single of the Year ("I May Hate Myself In The Morning"). She is also recognized for No. 1 singles "The Fool," "A Little Past Little Rock," "I'll Think Of A Reason Later," and the mega smash "I Hope You Dance." Womack's current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, and The New York Times, to name a few. Debut single "Last Call" was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year in the "Best Female Country Vocal Performance" category. Visit www.leeannwomack.com to see the video for her latest, "Solitary Thinkin'."

In addition to the nominee announcements, Chuck Wicks will announce the finalists for the 2009 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year in four categories (small, medium, large, and major markets) as well as the finalists for the CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year live on Premiere Radio Networks from their New York studios.

"I am thrilled once again to be able to announce the Broadcast Nominees," explained Wicks. "Country radio has been so supportive of me this year and I'm happy to be able to be back again and be a part of these special announcements."

RCA Nashville recording artist Wicks found an instant hit with his first single, "Stealing Cinderella," from his debut album, Starting Now. The song climbed to No. 5 and was the first single from a new Country artist to crack the Top 5 in 2008. His follow-up single, "All I Ever Wanted," also soared up the Country charts and marked his second consecutive Top 15 hit. After a hugely successful run as the opening act on the final leg of Brad Paisley's "Bonfires & Amplifiers" Tour in 2007, Wicks rejoined Paisley in 2008 for the "Hershey's Presents the Paisley Party Tour." In 2009, Wicks has been on tour on his own playing at festivals across the country.

The audio announcement of the CMA Awards nominees and Broadcast Awards finalists will be available via satellite and FTP from CMA's official radio partner Premiere Radio Networks. Premiere has provided outstanding, radio coverage of the CMA Awards nominations for more than a decade.

As part of their comprehensive 2009 CMA Awards radio package, Premiere Radio Networks will offer the 2009 CMA Awards Nominations Special hosted by Senior Producer of Country Programming Rosemary Young, a preview special, Red Carpet features, a live feed of the Awards gala, and a backstage wrap up show. Any Country radio station interested in receiving the radio package, including the nominations feed, may contact Premiere Affiliate Relations at (818) 377-5300.

The 2008 CMA Awards, held in Nashville during November Sweeps (Nov. 12), ranked behind only the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards during the 2008-2009 season for awards shows among total viewers. With "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards," ABC won Wednesday evening in both total viewers (15.9 million) and adults 18-49 (5.0/13). According to Nielsen research, 34.6 million unique viewers 2+ watched six minutes or more of the program.

The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 plus industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards were broadcast on NBC television for the first time - making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971 and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005 before moving to ABC in 2006.

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

ABC News' "Good Morning America" is co-anchored by Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts. Chris Cuomo is the news anchor and Sam Champion is the weather anchor. The Emmy Award-winning morning news broadcast airs live Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 AM/ET on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the senior executive producer and Tom Cibrowski is the executive producer of ABC News' "Good Morning America."

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2009 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music.

SOURCE Country Music Association

Dimmick Ranch in association with the County Line Foundation presents Live On The County Line featuring Grammy Award Winner Dwight Yoakam in an unprecedented, one night only, country music festival on Saturday, August 29th at the Dimmick Ranch in Piercy, CA.

Few entertainers have attained the iconic status of Dwight Yoakam. Perhaps that is because so few have consistently and repeatedly met the high standard of excellence delivered by the Kentucky native no matter what his endeavor. Since the start of his music career, Dwight Yoakam has proven he's more than just another guy with a guitar and a hat. He has risen from hot country star to being one of country music's biggest influences. While doing that, he has also become a critically acclaimed actor.

The singer-songwriter has sold more than 23 million albums worldwide -- not bad for a hillbilly in a long white Cadillac. Among his many Top 10 Country hits are Yoakam's originals "Little Ways" and "Please, Please Baby" (both from 1987's Hillbilly Deluxe), "I Sang Dixie" (from 1988's Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room), and "Fast As You" (from 1993's multi-platinum This Time). Equally popular have been Dwight's takes on country standards like Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man" and the #1 smash "Streets Of Bakersfield," which Dwight recorded with the song's originator, Buck Owens.

Additional acts are "alternative country's golden goddess" Kelly Willis, John Doe & the Sadies, the "First Lady of Rock-n-Roll" Wanda Jackson, and I See Hawks In LA.

The one day festival will feature great food and unique vendors plus premier onsite camping at Cooks Valley Campground. Tickets and camping ON SALE NOW. For a list of ticket outlets and to purchase online visit www.liveonthecountyline.com. This show will sell out so get your tickets early. For more information contact the Dimmick Ranch at 707.247.3400