Riley Ahlstrand proudly displays a piece of her Carrie Underwood memorabilia. An avid, CMA Music Festival and Underwood fan, Ahlstrand was the first to find out Carrie Underwood will be among the stars performing at this year’s CMA Music Festival. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

A trembling 15-year-old fan was the first to find out that Carrie Underwood will be among the stars performing at this year’s CMA Music Festival in Nashville.

Underwood took time out of her packed Super Bowl rehearsal schedule, where she is singing the National Anthem on Sunday, to call 15-year-old Riley Ahlstrand with the news. Ahlstrand, an ardent fan of the Festival, was being interviewed by a news crew from the Nashville ABC affiliate (WKRN) when reporter Brad Schmitt’s phone rang and he handed it to the wide-eyed teen.

On the line was Underwood to tell the nearly speechless girl that she would be performing at the Festival this year; and Ahlstrand heard it first.

“I always look forward to the excitement of CMA Music Festival,” said Underwood after the call. “Its fans like Riley that make the week so much fun.”

“This is the best thing that has ever happened, said Ahlstrand, with tears still streaming down her face. “I couldn’t have dreamed anything cooler than this!”

Ahlstrand came to WKRN’s attention after she sent an email to CMA: “My dream is to meet Carrie Underwood, and the CMA Music Festival is my absolute favorite thing…I want more than anything for Carrie Underwood to appear at CMA Music Festival this year. Thank you so much for everything that you do, and for putting on such a spectacular week June 10-13! This truly is the ultimate fan experience.”

“CMA Music Festival is about the fans and this was a terrific way to kick off what is sure to be a star-packed roster of artists performing this year,” said Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. “We have a long history of surprising our fans and creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and this is only the beginning.”

The 2010 CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13. Nashville’s signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. This unparalleled celebration of America’s music draws thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. CMA Music Festival was dubbed the “crown jewel of Country Music Festivals” by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s 2004, 2006, and 2008 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year.

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