"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" Will Feature Natasha Bedingfield Performing With Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney Performing With Grace Potter

"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" Will Feature Natasha Bedingfield Performing With Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney Performing With Grace Potter

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The lineup for "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" continues to grow with today's announcement that Natasha Bedingfield and Grace Potter will make their debuts on "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)." Bedingfield will team with Rascal Flatts to perform their current single "Easy," while Potter will join her fellow nominee and four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney on their hit song "You and Tequila."

"The 45th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban, plus Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."

Bedingfield is best known in the U.S. for her smash hit "Unwritten," the title cut of her debut album which sold more than 2.3 million copies worldwide. Born in New Zealand and raised in the U.K., the international superstar has had a string of successful songs, including "These Words," "Single," "Love Like This," and more. Her current album is Strip Me.

Chesney is nominated for three CMA Awards this year, including Male Vocalist, and Musical Event and Music Video of the Year (both for "You and Tequila" with Potter). The song is featured on his most recent album, Hemingway's Whiskey. Chesney has won seven CMA Awards thus far, including four Entertainer of the Year Awards, which ties him with Garth Brooks for the most wins in this category. He has also received one Musical Event of the Year Award (in 2007 for "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw), one Album of the Year Award (in 2004 for When the Sun Goes Down), and an additional trophy for co-producing the 2004 Album of the Year.

Potter received her first two CMA nominations this year, Musical Event and Music Video of the Year, both for her performance with Chesney on "You and Tequila." She is the front woman for the group Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, who were named one of the "Best New Bands of 2010" by Rolling Stone. Their most recent album is Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, featuring the hit single "Paris (Ooh La La)."

Rascal Flatts is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year in 2011. The newest members of the Grand Ole Opry have received seven CMA Awards thus far, including the Horizon Award (2002) and six consecutive Vocal Group of the Year Awards (2003-2008). "Easy," their duet with Bedingfield, is found on their current album, Nothing Like This.

Tickets for "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" are on sale and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster outlets; by calling (800) 745-3000; or at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, located at 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). Ticket prices for the CMA Awards start at $110 for Upper Level seating. Ticket prices include tax, but exclude applicable service fees. Purchase tickets early for the best available seats. In 2009 and 2010, the CMA Awards sold out in advance.

"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. 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. Chevrolet(TM) is a Proud Partner of the CMA Awards and Official Ride of Country Music. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the 2011 CMA Awards. Macy's is the official presenting partner of the CMA Awards Red Carpet. CMA is a Proud Supporter of DRIVE4COPD.

SOURCE Country Music Association

Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl, CMA, +1-615-244-2840, or Scott Stem, CMA, +1-615-244-2840, or Denise Carberry, PFA, +1-212-334-6116, or Chandler Hayes, ABC, +1-818-460-6530, or Nicole Marostica, ABC, +1-818-460-6783

Web Site: http://www.CMAawards.com

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