Underwood First CMA Music Festival Performer

Carrie Underwood surprised one of her biggest fans last week with a phone call telling her she will be among the stars performing at this year’s CMA Music Festival Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13 in Nashville.

Underwood took time out of her packed Super Bowl rehearsal schedule, where she sang the national anthem last night, to call 15-year-old Riley Ahlstrand with the news. Ahlstrand, an ardent fan of the Festival, was being interviewed by WKRN News 2’s Brad Schmitt when Underwood called him and Ahlstrand to share the news.

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.”

Underwood’s video for “Temporary Home” debuted on iTunes with a two-day exclusive, Feb. 2-3, and shot to No. 1. Now it is in Hot Shot rotation on CMT and in Turbo rotation on GAC.

Looking ahead, Underwood will make her first appearance at the prestigious Hollywood Bowl on Sat., Oct. 2, with a concert performance that will involve the renowned Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Fans can also be watching for Carrie on upcoming covers of Cosmopolitan and Allure.