2012 ARIZONA COUNTRY THUNDER TAKEN OVER BY TOP COUNTRY SUPERSTARS BLAKE SHELTON, DIERKS BENTLEY, AND DUO BIG & RICH!

Last day to purchase Early Bird tickets for $99 is November 30
Brand new RSVD Seating offers opportunity to purchase seats closer to stage!


Florence, AZ (November 11, 2011) – Country fans get ready, because today festival organizers for Country Thunder announced three of the four headliners, and they are country megastars Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, and duo Big & Rich! The upcoming festival will mark the 19th year for Country Thunder Arizona and the line-up is proving that things keep getting better with time! The festival is scheduled for April 12-15, 2012 and will take place at its home at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Arizona.

Phoenix native Dierks Bentley will officially kick off the festival on Thursday night, taking the stage in front of thousands of fans who will be ready to show him that he is definitely not the only who wants to have fun tonight! With eight No. one hits, 10 GRAMMY nominations and over five million album sales under his belt, his anthemic new “Home” is the second single off his upcoming album scheduled for release in early 2012.

Fresh-off their Xtreme Muzik Tour, multi-platinum duo Big & Rich will headline Friday's show with a raucous-raising performance. Comprised of Kenny Alphin and The Celebrity Apprentice winner John Rich, the duo has garnered multiple GRAMMY, ACM, CMA and CMT Music Award nominations. Their hits include their infectious smash-hit single, "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" as well as "Comin' to Your City," "8th of November" and "Lost in this Moment."

Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year for the second consecutive year, Blake Shelton, will perform at the festival in Arizona on Saturday. Shelton continues to be the "most versatile of contemporary country singers" (The New York Times") with his hit single "God Gave Me You" recently holding the No. 1 spot on the country charts for three weeks. He is the only country artist to achieve three No. 1 hits in this calendar year and the single is Shelton's fifth consecutive No. 1 in 19 months.

Once again, Country Thunder is proud to offer six varieties of camping for those looking for the full festival experience. Sites vary from the primitive offerings of Crazy Coyote Camping for the rowdier folks, to the rustic “Preferred Camping”, offering a prime location near the entrance facing the main stage – act quickly as “Preferred Camping” sells out quickly and there are only a few spots left! For those interested in camping with modern amenities, “Big Rig” campsites are available and feature skybox tickets, meals, RV power, and water. Please visit www.countrythunder.com for further information on all campsites and to reserve your spot today.

The last day to purchase Early Bird tickets for only $99 will be November 30, 2011, so don’t delay. With the announcement of Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich and Blake Shelton as three of the four headliners, one can only guess who will take the stage Sunday! New this year, the festival is offering the opportunity to purchase seats closer to the stage with (GA) RSVD seating with prices ranging from $200-$375. A map of the new seating is available online at www.countrythunder.com or call 866-802-6418 for information.

Tickets, camping, and amenity add-ons can all be purchased online at www.countrythunder.com or by phone at (866) 802-6418. Additional artists will be announced soon, so for all things Country Thunder please visit www.countrythunder.com or www.facebook.com/countrythunderusa to stay up-to-date on one of the nation’s premier outdoor camping, music, and entertainment festivals!