HLN TO AIR DISASTER RELIEF SPECIAL ON SUN, MAY 15

Robin Meade Has Close Ties to Country Music Community; Honored in Role to Help Raise Funds

NASHVILLE, TN (May 10, 2011)—CMT has tapped HLN anchor Robin Meade to co-host Thursday’s “Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert,” airing live from the Grand Ole Opry House stage and Studio A on Thu, May 12, 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. HLN will re-broadcast “Music Rebuilds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert” in its entirety on Sun, May 15, 9 p.m. ET/8p.m. CT, to build additional awareness and funds to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief effort in the South.

Meade will join ESPN's Erin Andrews and comedian Ron White as co-host for the evening of fundraising featuring country music superstars, including Hank Williams, Jr. and Alabama, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and Trace Adkins to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the recent and devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes. All money raised will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

“Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert” will highlight a number of regions affected by recent storm, tornado and flooding damage including Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Ala.; Natchez and Vicksburg, Miss.; Vidalia, La.; Dyersburg and Tiptonville, Tenn.; and Raleigh, N.C.

Red Cross phone lines will be open for HLN's re-air on Sun. Information is as follows: Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

Meade has spent a lot of time in Nashville songwriting and recording her debut album, featuring a number of today’s top stars. She is passionate about the music, and a strong believer in giving back.

“When I anchor stories about the recent storms in the South, my mind isn’t on the statistics, or the footage, or the sound bites, my thoughts are with that person who looks around and wonders, ‘what am I going to do now that everything is gone?’” said Meade. “I’m so touched by the resiliency of the storm victims, and the generosity of music fans and viewers to help these folks whose lives are now in disarray, and that’s what this telethon is going to be about, lifting up storm victims, letting them know, they’re not alone.”

In addition, Meade will provide live reports from the Grand Ole Opry House and interviews with featured musicians on Thu and Fri for her popular HLN morning show, “Morning Express with Robin Meade” (6 a.m. - 12 noon, ET).

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