SOUTHERN ROCKERS LYNYRD SKYNYRD RETURN TO "CMT CROSSROADS" FOR AN ALL-NEW EPISODE WITH COUNTRY RENEGADE BRANTLEY GILBERT PREMIERING JUNE 27 ON CMT

NASHVILLE - May 8, 2015 - Southern Rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd will team up with rowdy country chart-topper Brantley Gilbert next month when CMT presents an all-new episode of CMT CROSSROADS. A decade after Lynyrd Skynyrd made their first appearance on the flagship music series, the band returns to collaborate with platinum-selling Gilbert for the first time on the CMT CROSSROADS stage in Franklin, Tenn. CMT CROSSROADS: LYNYRD SKYNYRD AND BRANTLEY GILBERT will premiere Saturday, June 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT only on CMT.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose story began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, have maintained and continue to build their legacy as one of the most influential bands of our time. With a catalog of over 60 albums, sales beyond 30 million worldwide they've been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and both Rolling Stone Magazine and VH1 have recognized them as one of the "100 Greatest Artists Of All Time." Lynyrd Skynyrd has had three albums go 2x Platinum, one platinum and one gold with their last record, Last of a Dyin' Breed, debuting at #14 on the Billboard Top 200. This summer the band will release "Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans," a live concert CD/DVD set which will be available via Loud & Proud Records in partnership with Blackbird Presents. "One More For The Fans" features performances of songs from Skynyrd's extensive catalog of music by the band themselves joined by an extraordinary collection of special guests. Now led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, the band also includes Mark "Sparky" Matejka (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards), with The Honkettes - Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase - on background vocals, the band continues to sell out shows and headline festivals around the world, confirming that Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations.

Gilbert's GOLD-certified third studio album JUST AS I AM notched the third-highest Country debut of 2014 and landed in the Top 5 Best Selling Country Albums of 2014. The project also scored Favorite Country Album at the American Music Awards, producing 2X PLATINUM #1 smash "Bottoms Up," GOLD-certified "Small Town Throwdown" and emboldened "One Hell Of An Amen." One year after the original album's debut, Gilbert will continue the momentum releasing JUST AS I AM PLATINUM EDITION on May 18. The rebel-rousing hit singer/songwriter penned every song on his latest project, which features five unreleased tracks, in addition to a remix of the chart-topping "Bottoms Up" featuring rapper T.I. On May 17, Gilbert will vie for Top Country Artist and Top Country Album at the Billboard Music Awards, airing live from Las Vegas on ABC at 8/7c. The Georgia native took home the first ever, fan-voted Renegade Award earlier this year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards recognizing an artist who breaks boundaries while remaining true to themselves. He has racked up five #1 singles, impressive albums sales, multiple award show nominations from the CMA, ACM, ACA, ACC and CMT Music Awards, in addition to being named 2013 ACM Awards New Male Vocalist of the Year. Gilbert will join select dates of Kenny Chesney's THE BIG REVIVAL TOUR this summer. For tour dates and more visit, www.brantleygilbert.com.

CMT CROSSROADS is produced by Kathryn Russ. John Hamlin, Margaret Comeaux and Bill Flanagan serve as executive producers for CMT.

CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. CMT, CMT.com and CMT Radio offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and are the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT App, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.