Montgomery Gentry to Host the 2nd Annual Academy of Country Music Celebrity Motorcycle Ride

Dierks Bentley, Lonestar, The Warren Brothers, Ira Dean of Trick Pony, Mark Wills, Shelly Fairchild, Trent Willmon & James Otto Will Join Montgomery Gentry on Ride Proceeds to Benefit Newly Created Academy of Country Music Charitable Foundation

BURBANK, Calif., March 11 -- Today the Academy of Country Music announced its 2nd Annual Academy of Country Music Celebrity Motorcycle Ride, a star-studded daylong trek through the Nevada desert that will benefit the newly established Academy of Country Music Charitable Foundation, an in-house organization designed to raise support, and embrace programs dedicated to the awareness, growth, and education of music.

As part of the festivities surrounding the 40th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, the Academy will host this scenic, half-day excursion beginning at the world's largest Harley-Davidson dealership, Las Vegas Harley-Davidson. The 2nd Annual Academy of Country Music Celebrity Motorcycle Ride will take place on Sunday, May 15th, 2004. [Anyone interested in signing up for the ride should contact Brandi Brammer at (818) 842-8400 x.214 or visit the Academy's website at www.acmcountry.com.]

"Last year the Charitable Ride raised money for the Academy's Charitable Foundation by letting artists and fans get together and ride their bikes through the beautiful landscape that only Nevada has to offer," said Rod Essig, Vice President of the Academy of Country Music. "This year guarantees to be better than last year! I urge you all to sign-up and come join us."

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 is best known for presenting its annual ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, which are televised live on CBS and honor excellence among the industry's brightest stars. The Academy, which is comprised of 3,800+ professional members and a newly established Associate Membership, is headquartered in Burbank, CA. For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and the Academy of Country Music, please visit www.acmcountry.com.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

With a heartfelt commitment to the welfare of music and its community, the Academy of Country Music Charitable Foundation will endeavor to support and embrace programs dedicated to the awareness, growth, and education of music.

The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS will be broadcast LIVE from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on May 17th, 2004 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on The CBS Television Network.