This year the two-day festival will take place on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 at the King's Hall in Belfast.

International icons among the line-up confirmed so far include the legendary Randy Travis, Martina McBride and Ray Price. These artists will join over 60 International, UK and Irish acts performing on three separate stages in the King's Hall. The bank holiday weekend event which attracted thousands to Dungannon last summer, has been organised by Ireland’s fastest growing tour promoter, JW Promotions, in association with media sponsors UTV.

James McGarrity, JW Promotions, said: "We are thrilled that to confirm an amazing line up of artists for this years event and to have the continued support from UTV. This year UTV CountryFest 09 moves to Belfast’s impressive indoor venue. We are also delighted to reveal that this year the event and many of the performing artists are working with NI Charity Meningitis Trust with a very special UTV CountryFest 09 CD which will be launched later this Spring.”

UTV CountryFest ‘09 Headline acts Randy Travis, Martina McBride and Ray Price are among the most talented country music artists in the world. Each artist is renowned for there own individual singing style and international success. Randy Travis has sung with legendary vocalists such as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson. His distinctive heartfelt singing style has made him a hit favourite of country music fans globally. To date, he has sold more than 25 million records and is one of the top-selling solo country artists of all time.

Grammy award winner and four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride has racked up 16 million in sales, 22 top 10 singles—including six number ones with crossover success in multiple genres and a slew of national television appearances in her illustrious 15-year career. Martina, a producer, artist and writer continues to scale new artistic heights is currently in the studio working on her upcoming album.

Ray Price’s membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame is deserved recognition for a man who has used remarkable resources of talent, will and taste to help craft Country music. His hits helped draw pop stars to the songs represented by Nashville publishers, and his recording career is synonymous with the rise of Nashville as a recording centre

This year an exclusive Country-Fest Double Album CD will be released in support of the Meningitis Trust in Northern Ireland. All the acts that will appear on the UTV-Country Fest have been asked to take part in a project that is expected to raise thousands of pounds for the charity. Interest from acts not only in Ireland but also stateside has been overwhelming with many artists contributing a song to the album.

UTV CountryFest 09 will see over 60 international and Irish artists perform over the two-day festival.