First Round of Performers Announced for 'The 41st Annual CMA Awards'

First Round of Performers Announced for 'The 41st Annual CMA Awards'

Country Superstars Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, George Strait and Keith Urban to Perform on 'Country Music's Biggest Night'

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The star-packed lineup for "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" is beginning to take shape with the announcement today that Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, George Strait and Keith Urban will perform. "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"The CMA Awards is the industry's biggest single opportunity to expand the format and reach a broader audience with our music," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "And we have a strong slate of nominees and an incredible pool of music to draw from. We are dedicated to delivering the best-of-the-best and this is a great start."

CMA's reigning Entertainer of the Year, Chesney received four nominations this year for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Musical Event with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw on Lawrence's "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," and Music Video of the Year for "You Save Me" directed by Shaun Silva. His latest album, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates was released Sept. 11.

McBride also had four nominations for the 2007 CMA Awards including Female Vocalist, Single, Song and Music Video of the Year for "Anyway," which she co- wrote with brothers Brad and Brett Warren. McBride could pick up an additional trophy as producer for Single of the Year for the inspiring ballad. McBride released Waking up Laughing in April.

Rascal Flatts was nominated for Entertainer and Vocal Group of the Year. The Entertainer of the Year category has only been won by two groups in CMA Awards history: Alabama (1982, 1983, 1984) and Dixie Chicks (2000). Rascal Flatts has swept the Vocal Group of the Year category the past four years. The next album by Rascal Flatts, Still Feels Good, will be released Sept. 25.

A 2006 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Strait tied with Brad Paisley for the most CMA Awards nominations with five. Strait's nominations include Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album for It Just Comes Natural (co- produced by Tony Brown), Musical Event with Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson for the live version of "Hey Good Lookin'," and Single of the Year for "Wrapped." Strait could win two additional trophies as producer for Single and Album of the Year.

Urban, CMA's reigning Male Vocalist of the Year, received three nominations for Entertainer, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, which he co-produced with Dann Huff. Urban has won the Male Vocalist Award every year he has been nominated (2004-2006). He won Entertainer of the Year in 2005. Look for his greatest hits package in stores Nov. 20.

Tickets for the 2007 CMA Awards are on sale now and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (615) 255-9600; or in person at the Sommet Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). Ticket prices begin at $164 (excluding applicable service/handling fees), with prices increasing depending on seating level.

"The 41st Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer, and Robert Deaton is the Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

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 2007 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Mary Kay(R) is the Official Beauty Sponsor. Additional promotional partners include Crisco(R), Gibson Guitar(R), Greased Lightning(R) Cleaning Products and The Yankee Candle Company.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Country Music Association

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

Web site:

http://www.cmaawards.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For CMA Awards information, history and high-resolution images visit CMApress.com. Media may also register for credentials at this site which is for media only and is not intended for public use. The public should be directed to CMAawards.com.

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