Keith Urban Brings the Audience to Its Feet at the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS

Keith Urban Brings the Audience to Its Feet at the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS

Carrie Underwood Emerges as the Evening's Big Winner

Keith Urban Wins Video of the Year

Hank Williams Jr. Receives Johnny Cash Visionary Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrie Underwood took home two trophies as the evening's big winner for the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS announced tonight on CMT's live telecast from Nashville. Hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS not only revealed the winners in nine categories, but also featured country legend Hank Williams Jr. accepting the Johnny Cash Visionary Award, a moving tribute to the late Buck Owens and a show-stopping closing performance by Video of the Year winner, Keith Urban that brought the crowd to its feet.

As country music's only fan-voted awards show, more than three million fans logged on to CMT.com to vote for their favorite videos. For the first time, fans could also log on CMT.com to watch a live simulcast of the show. A complete list of winners appears below.

As host of the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, Jeff Foxworthy pulled out all the stops in the opening number as he was joined by his "Dancing With the Stars" dance partner, Lisa Rinna. Jeff's red sequined top and black stretch pants rivaled Lisa's glittery costume as the two danced to their own version of "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," before introducing Trace Adkins who sang the song before a roaring crowd.

Keith Urban won the coveted Video of the Year honor for his video "Better Life." Fans voted live via CMT.com and text message to determine the winner during the live broadcast (ET/CT only). After winning, Urban closed the evening with his award-winning single and a rousing tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina that included members of displaced choirs from the disaster regions.

Country icon Hank Williams Jr. faced a standing ovation as he accepted the Johnny Cash Visionary Award from presenters and friends Kid Rock and Gretchen Wilson. Williams was also honored by friends and family in a moving pre-taped tribute featuring Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Dierks Bentley, Kid Rock and Williams' daughter, Holly Williams.

Dwight Yoakam honored his late friend and mentor, the legendary Buck Owens in a moving tribute and a special performance of "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail."

Other show-stopping performances include Faith Hill ("Lucky One"), Kenny Chesney ("Beer in Mexico"), Carrie Underwood ("Jesus Take the Wheel"), Toby Keith ("Get Drunk and Be Somebody"), Gretchen Wilson ("All Jacked Up"), Rascal Flatts ("What Hurts The Most"), Sugarland ("Down in Mississippi"), Brooks & Dunn ("Believe") and Trace Adkins ("Honky Tonk Badonkadonk").

Joining Foxworthy onstage were such celebrity presenters as Wynonna, Kenny Rogers, Lisa Rinna, Kid Rock, Martina McBride, Jewel, Kelly Preston, Caroline Rhea, Sela Ward, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Billy Currington, Miranda Lambert, John Corbett, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Jack Ingram, Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry, professional bull riding star Ty Murray, The Wreckers (Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp) and newcomer Ashley Monroe.

Below is a complete list of winners for the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS:

CMT MUSIC AWARDS BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video from an artist's major debut album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo).

* Carrie Underwood - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS HOTTEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Sexiest video, awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).

* Billy Currington - "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS GROUP / DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group or duo; awarded to the artists.
* Rascal Flatts - "Skin (Sarabeth)"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

The best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (male, female or group/duo).

* Bon Jovi feat. Jennifer Nettles - "Who Says You Can't Go Home"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Video with the best direction (video that best captures the mood, tempo, and intensity of the song); awarded to the video director for work on a specific video and accepted by the director and the artist.

* Sophie Muller/Faith Hill with Tim McGraw - "Like We Never Loved At All"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.
* Carrie Underwood - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.
* Kenny Chesney - "Who You'd Be Today"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MOST INSPIRING VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Video that celebrates the human condition in a positive and optimistic way; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).

* Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton - "When I Get Where I'm Going"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Final four nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

* Keith Urban - "Better Life"

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 82.2 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at http://www.cmt.com/ .

CMT will re-telecast the 2006 CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 10 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT; Tuesday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT; Tuesday, April 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT; Wednesday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, April 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT; Saturday, April 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET/PT; Saturday, April 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT

Source: CMT

CONTACT: Cindy McLean, +1-615-335-8404, cindy.mclean@cmt.com, or Amanda
Murphy, +1-615-335-8408, amanda.murphy@cmt.com, or Lisa Chader,
+1-615-335-8405, lisa.chader@cmt.com, all of CMT

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

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