ACM "SALUTE TO THE MILITARY" PRESENTED BY NRA COUNTRY RAISES $50,000 TO SUPPORT MILITARY

Photo L to R:

Wayne LaPierre/NRA and Bob Romeo/ACM

Credit: Getty Images for ACM

NASHVILLE, TN (April 3, 2012) – The ACM Concert – Salute to the Military Presented by NRA Country was a resounding success, as some of country music’s hottest stars came out to perform for a great cause. The free, open-to-the-public celebration for military families and country music fans was part of THE ACM EXPERIENCE that took place on Saturday, March 31st at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

Military ID holders were invited to a reserved section for the concert, which included a very special onstage moment as three worthy military-inspired charitable organizations received donations from NRA Country Caresand ACM Lifting Lives®. Folds of Honor Foundation accepted $20,000, Wounded Warrior Project received $20,000, and Nellis Air Force Base Youth Programs was presented with $10,000.

The memorable evening featured performances by ACM Song of the Year winner Lee Brice, Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers, Bradley Gaskin, JT Hodges, Kip Moore, Craig Morgan, John Rich, ACM Vocal Duo of the Year winner Thompson Square. The show was hosted by Robin Meade, singer and anchor of HLN's "Morning Express with Robin Meade."

THE ACM EXPERIENCE was the first-ever, free, open-to-the public country music lifestyle event created for fans during The Week Vegas Goes Country®, the week prior to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The fan-focused three-day event included the ACM BBQ Throwdown, ACM EXPO, the Ram Ride and Drive and more, was held March 30-April 1, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The events culminated in the ACM Fan Jam, a ticketed event hosted by Zac Brown Band, on Sunday, April 1, 2012. The ACM Fan Jam was part of the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on the CBS Television Network.