THE BAND PERRY TO OPEN THE "49TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS" WITH EXPLOSIVE PERFORMANCE

MIRANDA LAMBERT AND GEORGE STRAIT WILL PERFORM A MERLE HAGGARD TRIBUTE MEDLEY WITH A PRESENTATION BY GARTH BROOKS

HUNTER HAYES TO MAKE SPECIAL PERFORMANCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE "CHILD HUNGER ENDS HERE" CAMPAIGN

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE AND LUKE BRYAN WILL PERFORM WITH NITRO CIRCUS ACTION SPORTS STARS, LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, SUNDAY, APRIL 6 ON CBS

The 49TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS will open with an explosive performance by The Band Perry, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 6 (8:00-11:00PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The broadcast will also feature a slate of special performances by Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, George Strait and Florida Georgia Line.

These artists join previously announced performers including Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Toby Keith, Justin Moore, Kip Moore, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum with legendary musician Stevie Nicks.

The Band Perry will open this year's telecast with an action-packed performance of their new single, "Chainsaw." Miranda Lambert and George Strait will perform a tribute medley in honor of Merle Haggard's prolific 50 years in country music, including "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down" and "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive." Additionally, Garth Brooks will present Haggard with the Crystal Milestone award. Hunter Hayes will perform his hit song "Invisible" in conjunction with ConAgra Foods' Child Hunger Ends Here campaign. Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line will perform "This Is How We Roll" at the 4TH ANNUAL ACM FAN JAM via live remote at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, with action sports stars from Nitro Circus showing off their incredible BMX skills and more.

Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming week.

The 49TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan and R.A. Clark are executive producers. Barry Adelman is producer. Bob Romeo is the executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

RATING: To Be Announced

Official CBS ACM URL: http://www.cbs.com/shows/academy_of_country_music/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AcademyOfCountryMusic

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ACMawards