CMT Announces the Final Nominees for the '2007 CMT Music Awards'

CMT Announces the Final Nominees for the '2007 CMT Music Awards'

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood Lead With Three Nominations Each

Multi-Platinum Rascal Flatts Added to the Performance Line-up, Allowing Viewers to Vote for the 'Flatt Out Fan Favorite'

CMT to Stream Awards Show Live Online at CMT.com and on CMT Radio for Second Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Country superstars Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood lead the final nominees for the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, it was announced today at a CMT press conference hosted by nominated duo, Sugarland. Also announced was the addition of triple nominated Rascal Flatts to the performance line-up for the show, putting a new twist on their performance by letting CMT viewers choose their "Flatt Out Fan Favorite," the song that will open the sixth annual awards show. The 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will air live from Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m., ET.*

For the first time since 2003, the Dixie Chicks make the final nominees list, garnering two nominations, along with Sugarland and newcomers Jason Aldean and The Wreckers. Toby Keith also snags two nominations, hoping to hold on to his designation as the most-awarded CMT MUSIC AWARDS artist. Other notable nominees include Josh Turner who picks up his first nomination in the MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR category, among established country favorites Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Toby Keith. Sting picks up his first CMT MUSIC AWARD nomination along with Sheryl Crow for their duet, "Always On Your Side," in the newly-created WIDE OPEN COUNTRY VIDEO OF THE YEAR category.

Fans can vote online at CMT.com through Friday, April 13 to determine the night's winners of the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, airing live on Monday, April 16 at 8 p.m., ET*. Fans can also vote online for the "Flatt Out Fan Favorite," from the following Rascal Flatts hits: "Life Is A Highway"; "Me and My Gang"; or "Fast Cars and Freedom."

The final nominees for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the show, and fans can vote at CMT.com, as well as via mobile phone, throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner. Log on to CMT.com to view streaming clips of nominated videos.

Below is a complete list of final nominees for the 2007 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).

* Jason Aldean -- "Amarillo Sky"
* Kellie Pickler -- "Red High Heels"
* Taylor Swift -- "Tim McGraw"
* The Wreckers -- "Leave The Pieces"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS WIDE OPEN COUNTRY VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Video that aired on CMT during WIDE OPEN COUNTRY and pushes the boundaries of country music; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).

* Jack Ingram -- "Love You"
* Jimmy Buffett -- "Bama Breeze"
* Johnny Cash -- "God's Gonna Cut You Down"
* Sheryl Crow and Sting -- "Always On Your Side"

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.

* Paul Boyd / Gary Allan -- "Life Ain't Always Beautiful"
* Roman White / Carrie Underwood -- "Before He Cheats"
* Shaun Silva / Kenny Chesney -- "You Save Me"
* Wes Edwards / Jason Aldean -- "Amarillo Sky"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists
* Dixie Chicks -- "Not Ready To Make Nice"
* Little Big Town -- "Good as Gone"
* Rascal Flatts -- "Life is A Highway"
* Rascal Flatts -- "What Hurts the Most"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists
* Big & Rich -- "8th Of November"
* Brooks & Dunn -- "Building Bridges"
* Sugarland -- "Want To"
* The Wreckers -- "Leave The Pieces"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.
* Carrie Underwood -- "Before He Cheats"
* Faith Hill -- "Stealing Kisses"
* Gretchen Wilson -- "California Girls"
* Sara Evans -- "You'll Always Be My Baby"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.
* Josh Turner -- "Would You Go With Me"
* Kenny Chesney -- "You Save Me"
* Tim McGraw -- "My Little Girl"
* Toby Keith -- "A Little Too Late"

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 and via mobile phone during the show.

* Carrie Underwood -- "Before He Cheats"
* Dixie Chicks -- "Not Ready to Make Nice"
* George Strait -- "The Seashores of Old Mexico"
* Keith Urban -- "Once In a Lifetime"
* Kenny Chesney -- "You Save Me"
* Rascal Flatts -- "What Hurts the Most"
* Sugarland -- "Want To"
* Toby Keith -- "A Little Too Late"

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy returns as host for the third consecutive year when the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS airs live from Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m., ET.* The CMT MUSIC AWARDS remain country music's only fan-voted awards show.

For the second year in a row, CMT will simulcast the awards live online at CMT.com and on CMT Radio, making the broadcast available to nearly 150 CMT radio affiliates. In addition, exclusive content will live on CMT.com and its broadband channel CMT Loaded, on CMT Mobile and on URGE, MTV Network's digital music service.

Tickets to the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS at The Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville go on sale Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m., CT and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 615-255-9600, online at CMT.com and ticketmaster.com.

Visit CMT's press-only 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS Web site www.cmtmusicawardspress.com for more information and downloadable photos.

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

*EDITORS: The 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere LIVE on Monday, April 16 at 8:00 PM, Eastern and 7:00 PM, Central; and at 9:00 PM, Mountain and 8:00 PM, Pacific (tape delayed).

Web sites: http://www.CMT.com
http://www.cmtmusicawardspress.com

Source: CMT

CONTACT: Cindy McLean, +1-615-335-8404, or cindy.mclean@cmt.com, or
Natasha Powell, +1-615-335-8412, or natasha.powell@cmt.com, both of CMT

-------
Profile: intent