'The 40th Annual CMA Awards' To Be Broadcast Live November 6

'The 40th Annual CMA Awards' To Be Broadcast Live November 6

Superduo Brooks & Dunn To Host "Country Music's Biggest Night" Airing For The First Time On The ABC Television Network

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Country Music Association announced today that "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" will air live Monday, Nov. 6 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on the ABC Television Network from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn. Superduo Brooks & Dunn return to host the gala for the third consecutive year.

"The 40th Anniversary should be an amazing show," Kix Brooks said. "Everybody'll be there - just like New York. You have that many distractions and everybody forgets how many times you screw up!"

"We're pushing our luck," partner Ronnie Dunn deadpanned without missing a beat.

"It's our 40th Anniversary and we are ready to make this the most outstanding Awards broadcast to date," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "We are back in Nashville after our very successful excursion to New York City in 2005; Brooks & Dunn are back as hosts, after doing an incredible job the past two years; and we are looking forward to tapping into the creativity and enthusiasm of our new network partner, ABC."

"ABC is passionate about our partnership with Country Music and we are thrilled and honored to have the CMA Awards on our network. As one of the biggest events on television, the CMA Awards value to us as a marquee event is enormous as the Awards joins the lineup of our two other premiere award specials, the Oscars and the American Music Awards," said Andrea Wong, Executive Vice President, Alternative Series, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "To debut with the 40th anniversary is a historic occasion and a special opportunity for us to showcase our commitment to further enhancing and building the CMA Awards in the years to come."

The CMA Awards moved from September to November sweeps in 2003 and the placement right before the important holiday retail sales season has been good for the Country Music industry. In 2005, the Awards were a success on many levels - increased awareness in the media and marketing capital of the world; widespread critical acclaim for the depth and diversity of the performers; and consumer response at retail.

In 2006, the CMA Awards move from Tuesday to Monday night. "Moving to Monday offers some additional benefits for the Awards," Genovese said. "Monday is a bigger night in terms of households watching television, and airing the day before new product hits record stores and having a full sales week should have a positive impact on our business."

The 2005 CMA Awards, held Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden, won the night in viewers and key demographics, according to final national Nielsen ratings. The CMA Awards were first in households (11.1/17), viewers (17.73m), adults 18-49 (5.4/13), and adults 25-54 (6.7/15). The Awards were Tuesday's No. 1 program in households, viewers and adults 25-54. According to Nielsen, the CMA Awards was the No. 10 program of the week. Research estimates that more than 36 million viewers watched all of part of the ceremony. Currently, the CMA Awards is the top-rated music, awards program of the television season.

At the helm of this ratings winner was Brooks & Dunn and they are back in 2006, with their endearing blend of humility and humor.

"They have done a terrific job in a tough, but important role for the Awards," Genovese said. "But that's not really surprising. Kix and Ronnie are consummate entertainers. They have it all - a sense of humor, talent, credibility, and the respect of our artist community. The CMA Awards are in good hands with these guys manning the podium."

Since blasting onto the scene with their No. 1 debut single "Brand New Man" in 1991, Brooks & Dunn have had 23 No. 1 singles, sold more than 28 million albums and picked up 15 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1996. They hold 13 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Awards - a record for the category.

"We couldn't ask for better ambassadors for Country Music and the CMA Awards," Genovese said. "The Awards recognizes the best of our format. Our artists and music resonate with people from all walks of life and that's what makes this 'Country Music's Biggest Night.'"

The eligibility period for the 2006 CMA Awards is July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. All voting for "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" will be conducted on-line. The first ballot and instructions will be e-mailed June 28 to CMA members in good standing who are eligible to vote. Voting for the first ballot closes at 5:00 PM/CT, July 14.

The second ballot will be e-mailed to CMA members Aug. 8. Voting for the second ballot closes at 5:00 PM/CT, Aug. 23. The final nominees in each of the 12 categories will be announced Aug. 30. The third and final ballot will be e-mailed to CMA members Oct. 10. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends at 5:00 PM/CT, Oct. 24.

The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards were broadcast on NBC television for the first time - making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971 and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005. The CMA Awards is traditionally one of the Top 5 highest-rated award programs of the year. The 2005 broadcast ranked behind only the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes during the 2005-06 television season for award shows among total viewers.

"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer, Robert Deaton is the Consulting Producer. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2006 CMA Awards.

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl, or Scott Stem of CMA, +1-615-244-2840; or Mozell
Miley of ABC Media-NY, +1-212-456-6444

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-resolution, downloadable 2006 CMA Awards logo, Brooks & Dunn image, and photography from the 2005 CMA Awards is available at CMApress.com. The site is password protected for media use only.

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