LITTLE BIG TOWN PARTNERS WITH ACM LIFTING LIVES(R) TO PERFORM SONG TO RAISE AWARENESS OF CHILD HUNGER IN THE UNITED STATES, DURING SPECIAL MOMENT ON THE "47TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS," TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS ON SUNDAY, APRIL 1 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

ACM Lifting Lives Joins Hunter Hayes and ConAgra Foods to Present "Here's Hope," An Original Song Co-Written by Hayes to Benefit "Child Hunger Ends Here"

ACM Award winners Little Big Town will partner with ACM Lifting Lives(R) to perform "Here's Hope," an original song co-written by singer-songwriter and ACM New Artist of the Year nominee Hunter Hayes, to shed light on child hunger in the United States. This special musical moment, presented by ConAgra Foods' "Child Hunger Ends Here" campaign, will be performed during the 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 1 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Hayes will introduce the powerhouse quartet, who will be joined onstage by the Clark County Children's Choir, to bring this powerful 2012 ACM Lifting Lives moment to viewers.

"When I first learned about ACM Lifting Lives a few years ago, I immediately asked to be part of this amazing organization," said Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town. "Lifting Lives seeks out needs and takes care of people. They work hard at giving both children and adults comfort, contentment and happiness. We are so honored and excited to be a part of the very special Lifting Lives moment to end child hunger on the ACM Awards. We can't wait!"

After learning that more than one in five children in America do not know where their next meal is coming from, Hayes, along with industry-leading songwriters Luke Laird and Barry Dean, was inspired to pen "Here's Hope." By using the power of music to touch hearts, the song was written to inspire consumers to join the fight against child hunger.

"What I didn't realize - and what most people may not know - is that child hunger is not a far away problem; it's a problem right here in our own backyards," said Hayes. "The good news, though, is that this is a problem we can all help solve together. My hope is that through music, we can inspire people to get involved and finally put an end to child hunger in our country."

ACM Lifting Lives, which works to improve lives through music, is spotlighting Hayes' personal passion for ending child hunger and his work with the ConAgra Foods' "Child Hunger Ends Here" campaign, which will donate up to five million meals this school year to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

"Lifting Lives is dedicated to improving lives through the power of music," said Lisa Huddleson, Executive Director, ACM Lifting Lives. "By partnering with ConAgra Foods, Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes and consumers, we want to use a song in the telecast to raise awareness about how we can all help eradicated child hunger in the United States."

"ConAgra Foods is proud to partner with the Academy of Country Music, Hunter Hayes and Feeding America to help solve the issue of child hunger," said Chris Sinta, Director of Consumer Promotions and Sponsorships for ConAgra Foods. "We believe this partnership, and the performance of �Here's Hope' by Little Big Town, will drive home the fact that more than one in five children don't know where their next meal is coming from, raise awareness of our commitment to ending child hunger and reinforce how everyone can help."

This year's ACM Lifting Lives show moment with Little Big Town marks the fourth consecutive year of moving performances which have highlighted worthy causes and provided support on behalf of their beneficiaries during the live Awards telecast.

For more information on how to join the fight against child hunger and how to participate in the ConAgra Foods "Child Hunger Ends Here" program, please visit www.childhungerendshere.com.

About ACM Lifting Lives

ACM Lifting Lives(R) 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. Since 2009, the ACM Lifting Lives on-stage moment has raised over $200,000 for designated charities. Downloads and direct donations of Toby Keith's performance on the 45th annual telecast, and Darius Rucker's performance on the 46th annual telecast raised funds and awareness for Wounded Warrior Project and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center respectively. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

The 47th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry, is produced for television 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