'2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS' Star Power Intensifies as Performers and Presenters Are Announced

'2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS' Star Power Intensifies as Performers and Presenters Are Announced

Host Jeff Foxworthy Welcomes Heart and Dierks Bentley to Stellar Musical Performance Line-Up

Appearances by Kyle Busch, Deana Carter, Jeff Daniels, Drea de Matteo, Bill Engvall, Gina Gershon, Dennis Hopper, Shooter Jennings, Larry the Cable Guy, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, LeAnn Rimes, Julie Roberts, William Shatner, Shania Twain, Van Zant, Brian Vickers, Lee Ann Womack and the Warren Brothers

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The star power of the 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS continues to intensify with the addition of hot country stars and celebrities from across the entertainment and sports worlds. Powerhouse duo Heart and platinum-selling Dierks Bentley have joined the stellar live musical performance line-up which includes previously announced performers Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Big & Rich, Keith Urban, and Gretchen Wilson. The 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, is country music's only fan voted awards show and this year's only country awards televised from Nashville. CMT will telecast the 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS on Monday, April 11 at 8:00-10:30 PM, ET.*

Appearances will include NASCAR star Kyle Busch, Deana Carter, Jeff Daniels ("Because of Winn Dixie," "Terms of Endearment"), Drea de Matteo ("Joey," "The Sopranos"), Bill Engvall ("Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie"), Gina Gershon ("Face/Off"), Dennis Hopper ("Apocalypse Now," "Easy Rider"), Shooter Jennings, Larry the Cable Guy ("Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie"), Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, LeAnn Rimes, Julie Roberts, William Shatner ("Boston Legal"), Shania Twain, Van Zant, NASCAR star Brian Vickers, Lee Ann Womack and the Warren Brothers

Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride and Reba McEntire will present country icon Loretta Lynn with the prestigious Johnny Cash Visionary Award. Lynn will be honored by friends and family in a moving tribute featuring appearances by Elvis Costello, Crystal Gayle, Faith Hill, Sissy Spacek, Keith Urban and Wynonna.

Fans may vote online at CMT.com through Friday, April 8 to determine the CMT MUSIC AWARDS winners.

CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 77.1 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at http://www.cmt.com/ .

*EDITORS: The 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premieres LIVE on Monday, April 11 at 8:00 PM, Eastern and 7:00 PM, Central; and at 9:00 PM, Mountain and 8:00 PM, Pacific (tape delayed).

Source: CMT

CONTACT: Cindy McLean, +1-615-335-8404, or cindy.mclean@cmt.com , or
Jama Bowen, +1-615-335-8405, or jama.bowen@cmt.com , both of CMT

Web site: http://www.cmt.com/

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