CMT TO PREMIERE "2018 AMERICANAFEST(R)" A NEW MUSIC SPECIAL FEATURING PERFORMANCES FROM THE AMERICANA HONORS & AWARDS SHOW

INCLUDING BRANDI CARLILE, BUDDY GUY, FANTASTIC NEGRITO, I'M WITH HER, IRMA THOMAS, JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT, JOHN PRINE, K.D. LANG, LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL, MARGO PRICE, NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS, ROSANNE CASH, TYLER CHILDERS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nov. 19, 2018 - CMT Announced today that it will air the 90-minute special "2018 AMERICANAFEST(R)," featuring performances from the 17th annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony held earlier this year at Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium. The special celebrates the Americana genre and will not only feature performances from longtime fan favorites and present-day Americana artists, but will also include new, exclusive interviews. "2018 AMERICANAFEST" will premiere live on CMT on Thursday, December 6 at 9 pm ET/PT.

The new CMT special will celebrate music with a variety of performances from Americana artists including Brandi Carlile ("The Joke"), Buddy Guy ("Damn Right, I've Got The Blues"), I'm With Her ("Overland"), Irma Thomas ("Time Is On My Side"), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit ("White Man's World"), John Prine ("Summer's End"), k.d. lang ("Trail Of Broken Hearts"), Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real ("Forget About Georgia"), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats ("Hey Mama"), Fantastic Negrito, Nelson and Rateliff ("Fortunate Son"), Margo Price ("A Little Pain"), Rosanne Cash ("Everyone But Me") and Tyler Childers ("Nose On The Grindstone"). The group also comes together for a never-before-seen version of "Chain of Fools."

"Music lovers, even those who may not be familiar with Americana, will want to see this show," says Leslie Fram, SVP Music and Talent, CMT. "The level of performance and musicality with these artists is something extremely special and we hope these 90 minutes will entertain those who already love Americana music, and will turn more people into fans of the genre."

"We are beyond thrilled to bring this incredibly special show to CMT," adds Jed Hilly, Executive Director, Americana Music Association(R). "We hope that friends and families will be able to come together this holiday season and experience what makes Americana music a beautiful melding of genres that celebrates artists from all walks of life."

About CMT:

CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB). For more information, please visit CMT Press.

About the Americana Music Association(R):

The Americana Music Association(R) is a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. The Association produces events throughout the year; including AMERICANAFEST(R): The Americana Music Festival & Conference and the critically acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards program. The Americana Music Association(R) receives enormous support from the Tennessee Department of Tourism, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Mountain Valley Water, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC.