KENNY CHESNEY, REBA McENTIRE, MONTGOMERY GENTRY, GEORGE STRAIT AND MORE TO APPEAR ON THE "ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL" (WORKING TITLE), A NEW ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL TO TAPE MAY 18 IN LAS VEGAS FOR BROADCAST ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK IN DECEMBER

Special To Celebrate Rich Heritage of the Academy of Country Music

Country stars Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, George Strait and more will appear on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (working title), a new entertainment special to tape May 18 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for broadcast on the CBS Television Network in December. The special will celebrate the rich heritage of the Academy of Country Music.

Tickets for the taping of the special will go on sale to the public on Saturday, April 16 at the Mandalay Bay Box Office and Ticketmaster outlets.

The special will celebrate the Academy's 40 extraordinary years as an organization supporting, promoting and enhancing the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The two-hour special will look back into the history of the Academy and commemorate the strides the organization has made with a special nod to the Academy's founders, as well as acknowledging artists who have achieved Academy-related milestones in their careers.

Country music's best will take viewers through the career milestones of artists who have won the Academy's Triple Crown -- the Top New Male/Female Vocalist and/or Duo/Group, Top Male/Female Vocalist and/or Duo/Group and Entertainer of the Year. Those eligible to be honored with the Academy's Triple Crown include Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Mickey Gilley, Merle Haggard and Barbara Mandrell.

In addition, the special will acknowledge artists who have unique and outstanding individual Academy-related achievements, including artists who lead a category with the most number of wins or who have been honored by the Academy for humanitarian efforts.

The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 with a mission to support, promote, and enhance the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The Academy, which is comprised of more than 3,800 professional members and a newly established Associate Membership, is headquartered in Burbank, Calif.

The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (working title) is being produced by dick clark productions. Dick Clark and R.A. Clark are the executive producers; Barry Adelman, the producer; Jeff Margolis, the director.

RATING: To Be Announced