For the fourth consecutive year, the Academy of Country Music will host the Academy of Country Music Stage at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) held in Las Vegas from Thursday, December 3^rd through Saturday, December 12^th.  New country artists will take the Academy of Country Music Stage in the Cowboy Corral, a special area created by Las Vegas Events, to entertain NFR fans inside the Cox Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The event is free to NFR fans and open to all ticket holders.

The Academy of Country Music Stage will include performances from Ash Bowers, Easton Corbin, Halfway to Hazard, LoCash Cowboys, Sean Patrick McGraw , David Nail, Heidi Newfield, Joe Nichols, Sunny Sweeney, and Josh Thompson. Doors will open at the Cowboy Corral at 5:00 PM/PST expect on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 when they open at 4:00 PM/PST. Music performances on the Academy of Country Music Stage begin at 5:45 PM/PST expect on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 when they begin at 4:45 PM/PST. Rodeo performances begin at 6:45 PM/PST expect on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 when they start at 5:45PM/PST.

"The Academy of Country Music is excited to kick off the 10 nights of music with ACM award winner, Heidi Newfield and close with ACM award winner Joe Nichols." said Michelle Goble, Director, Membership and Events for the Academy of Country Music. "NFR is a great stage to showcase a wide variety of acts which include Texas touring bands, newcomers and established artists."

The Academy of Country Music Stage artist line-up is as follows:

• Thursday, December, 3, 2009 - Heidi Newfield, 5:45pm & 9:00pm
• Friday, December 4, 2009 - David Nail 5:45pm & 9:00pm
• Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Sunny Sweeney, 4:45pm & 8:00pm
• Sunday, December 6, 2009 - Easton Corbin, 4:45pm & 8:00pm
• Monday, December 7, 2009 - Josh Thompson, 5:45pm & 9:00pm
• Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - Halfway to Hazard, 5:45pm & 9:00pm
• Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - LoCash Cowboys, 5:45pm & 9:00pm
• Thursday, December 10, 2009 - Ash Bowers, 5:45pm & 9:00pm
• Friday, December 11, 2009 - Sean Patrick McGraw, 5:45pm & 9:00pm
• Saturday, December 12, 2009 - Joe Nichols, 5:45pm & 9:00pm

Specific dates and times on additional entertainers during the Wrangler NFR can be found at www.NFRexperience.com.  Additional information about Las Vegas can be found at www.visitlasvegas.com.