More Stars of Country Music and NASCAR dded To Sprint Sound and Speed Line Up

December 20, 2005

Darrell Waltrip Among Additions

The list of music and racing stars slated to attend the inaugural Sprint Sound and Speed - Presented by SunTrust - A Celebration of Music & Motorsports continues to grow.

Sprint Sound and Speed will unite country music's top performers with NASCAR's top drivers for a two-day festival in downtown Nashville, January 13 and 14.

Proceeds from the inaugural event will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp for children with chronic medical conditions and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum charities.

Honorary co-chairs are Vince Gill and Kyle Petty and event highlights include displays of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and Grand-Am cars, historic artifacts from racing and country music legends, an auction of music and racing memorabilia, interviews with both current and legendary stars of NASCAR and country music, autograph sessions with artists and drivers, interactive fan attractions and a finale concert featuring Montgomery Gentry, LeAnn Rimes and Keith Anderson.

Events will take place at the Gaylord Entertainment Center and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In commenting on the growing list of participants, SunTrust Senior Vice-President, Director Sports and Entertainment Banking and festival chairman Brian Williams said, "This event is really taking on mammoth proportions.

The volume of calls from fans and media outlets across the country seem to confirm that we are on to something really big with Sprint Sound and Speed. Considering this is an inaugural event, we are especially excited for the two charities and the financial impact the event will have on them for years to come."

Artists scheduled to appear at Sprint Sound and Speed include: Trisha Yearwood, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Anderson, Julie Roberts, Darryl Worley, Diamond Rio, Jo Dee Messina, Ricky Skaggs, Lila McCann, Chely Wright, Andy Griggs, Shannon Brown, Erica Jo, Michael McDonald, Lee Greenwood, Cowboy Crush, Trent Tomlinson, Taylor Swift and John Stone. Drivers scheduled to appear include Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Michael Waltrip, Carl Edwards, Ernie Irvan, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and 2005 Grand American champs Wayne Taylor and Max Angelelli.

Supermodel Nikki Taylor is also scheduled to take part in the festivities. Special guest moderators include Eli Gold ("NASCAR Live" and the voice of Crimson Tide football), Clair B. Lang (XM Radio's "Dialed In"), Motor Racing Network announcer Danielle Frye, sports radio host Liz Allison and country music historian Robert K. Oermann.

Tickets to the Sprint Sound and Speed festival are $20, tickets to the finale concert are $30 and both are available at all TicketMaster outlets or by logging on to http://www.soundandspeed2006.com/ . A purchase of a festival and concert ticket also includes a free one-year subscription to Country Weekly and a commemorative Hatch Show Print poster.