ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AND CBS ANNOUNCE "ACM SESSIONS"

New Online Concert Series

"ACM Sessions" Debuts with ACM Awards Co-Host Luke Bryan, Now Available on CBS.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 - Country music fans everywhere can now experience performances from their favorite artists with today's launch of "ACM Sessions," a new online concert series from the Academy of Country Music and CBS Interactive. The new series, available on CBS.com, brings fans year-round access to country music's biggest stars with on-demand performances and interviews.

The first "ACM Sessions" performance launched today and features two-time ACM Award winner Luke Bryan. The performance was taped in front of a live audience at the legendary Whiskey a Go Go on Hollywood's Sunset Strip and features Bryan performing some of his hits and songs off his new album, Spring Break... Here to Party, along with a Q&A about his music and upcoming role as co-host of the 48TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

"'ACM Sessions' is a great addition to our wealth of music programming, including 'Live on Letterman,' the GRAMMYs, 'Last.fm Sessions' and more, and gives us an opportunity to bring fans regular access to the superstars we feature during the annual Academy of Country Music Awards," said Marc DeBevoise, EVP and GM, Entertainment, News and Sports, CBS Interactive. "Working with the Academy of Country Music to extend our partnership into an ongoing music series is a great opportunity to continue our long-standing tradition of supporting musicians and grow our focus on music and performances."

CBS.com will offer country music fans a host of other features and programming leading up to the "48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards." In addition to "ACM Sessions," CBS.com will play host to the "Road to the ACM Awards," a web series chronicling Dierks Bentley, Eli Young Band and Hunter Hayes' ACM journey, as well as photo galleries, contests - including the opportunity to win a trip for two to the 2014 ACM Awards or a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 - and more. Fans can also vote for the ACM Awards' two fan-driven categories, Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

During ACM Weekend and the live broadcast, fans can follow CBS.com's Social Media Ambassador, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Michelle Stafford, as she goes backstage, interviews this year's performers and nominees, checks out rehearsals and hits the red carpet to bring fans VIP access to the ACM Awards. To follow Michelle, visit http://www.cbs.com/shows/academy_of_country_music/follow-michelle/ or follow her on Twitter @TheRealStafford.

Fans can watch "ACM Sessions" on-demand on CBS.com at http://www.cbs.com/shows/academy_of_country_music/luke-bryan/. Additionally, the show is available on-demand through CBS properties and select CBS Audience Network partners[1].

About Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is a multiple ACM Award winner, winning Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Artist, and currently is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for tailgates & tanlines, and Vocal Event of the Year for "The Only Way I Know" with Jason Aldean and Eric Church. Currently, he is headlining his first major tour, the "Dirt Road Diaries Tour," and has earned five platinum singles.

About CBS Interactive

CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, is the premier online content network for information and entertainment. With more than 280 million people visiting its properties each month, CBS Interactive is a top Web property globally. Its portfolio of leading brands, which include CNET, CBS.com, CBSNews.com, CBSSports.com, GameSpot, TV.com and Last.fm, span popular categories like technology, entertainment, sports, news and gaming. Follow CBS Interactive on Twitter: twitter.com/cbsi and on Facebook.

About the Academy of Country Music

Founded in Southern California in 1964, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) is a fan-focused artist and industry-driven organization, providing the financial resources to ensure the on-going philanthropic work of ACM LIFTING LIVES, the charitable arm of the Academy which works to improve lives through the power of music. The Academy has a rich history in the entertainment industry, having been founded when Southern California was a hotbed of emerging country music and when Westerns were a staple of television programing and film production. Comprised of more than 3,800 professional members nationwide, the ACM is headquartered in Encino, Calif. Fans can get the latest information and updates on the "48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards" and "ACM Sessions" on Facebook or by following @ACMAwards on Twitter.