Academy of Country Music will salute troops

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Academy of Country Music will pay tribute to members of the armed forces with its annual television special.

Merle Haggard, George Strait and Carrie Underwood are among the first performers to sign on to "ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops." The two-hour special will air May 20 on CBS.

Each year, the academy tapes a special a different theme on the day after its awards show, which will be held April 6 in Las Vegas. Past shows have focused on Strait and honored the women of country music.

Ticket sales for this year's show at the MGM Grand will be donated to the academy's charitable foundation ACM Lifting Lives. Other early performers announced include Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry and Florida Georgia Line.

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Online:

http://acmcountry.com