NASHVILLE - "Country Music's Biggest NightT" is getting even
bigger with the announcement today that Brooks & Dunn,
Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Josh Turner and Carrie
Underwood will perform when "The 41st Annual CMA Awards"
airs live Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-1:00 PM/ET) on the ABC
Television Network from the Sommet Center in Nashville.
center>

"The slate of nominees for the 2007 CMA Awards speaks to the
strength, diversity and vitality of the format," said CMA Chief
Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "And this year's
Awards will reflect that in every performance."
The most lauded duo in CMA Awards history, Brooks & Dunn are
nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year again in 2007. They have won the
category a record 14 times and have received 45 career nominations,
which places them behind only Alan Jackson, George Strait and Vince
Gill for most nominations in the history of the Awards. Their new
album, Cowboy Town will be released Oct. 2. Ronnie
Dunn and Kix Brooks took three turns at
the host podium (2004-2006), but opted not to be back for a repeat
performance in 2007.
"It was never our intention to be the ongoing hosts of the CMA
Awards," they said. "Each of the three years we hosted was special.
We're just hoping to still be invited to the show!"
Paisley tied with George Strait for the most CMA Awards
nominations this year with five including Entertainer, Male
Vocalist, Album for 5th Gear (produced by Frank
Rogers and Chris DuBois), Single for
"Ticks," and Music Video of the Year for "Online," which was
directed by actor-turned-video director Jason
Alexander. This marks the fourth time since 2000 that
Paisley has topped the list of artists with the most nominations.
Paisley has received 38 career CMA Awards nominations, winning his
first CMA with Horizon Award in 2000. When 5th Gear
was released in June, it debuted at No. 1 on the Country sales
chart.
Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and
Kristian Bush make their debut in the Vocal Duo of
the Year category after receiving nominations for Vocal Group of the
Year and the Horizon Award in 2005 and 2006. Nettles received a solo
nomination in 2006 for her collaboration with Bon Jovi on "Who Says
You Can't Go Home." The duo's current Platinum album, Enjoy the
Ride was released in November 2006.
This is the
first year that Turner's name is on the list of nominees for Male
Vocalist of the Year. He was nominated for the Horizon Award in 2004
and 2006 and Song of the Year for "Long Black Train" in 2004. His
new album, Everything is Fine, is set to be released on
Oct. 30.
After winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon
Award in 2006, Underwood is back in 2007 with three nominations for
Female Vocalist, Single for "Before He Cheats," and Music Video of
the Year for the same song directed by Roman White.
Songwriters for "Before He Cheats," Josh Kear and
Chris Tompkins were nominated for Song of the Year.
Underwood's next album project, Carnival Ride, will be
released on Oct. 23.
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® is the Official
Beauty Sponsor. Additional promotional partners include Borders®
Books & Music, Carl Black Chevrolet, Gibson Guitar®, Greased
Lightning® Cleaning Products, Mr. Coffee® and The Yankee Candle
Company.