McEntire to Perform Duet with Rimes; Atkins, Lambert, and Swift Added To
Performance Lineup; Multiple Artists to Host Segments of the Three-hour
Gala Including Evans and Rimes
NASHVILLE - "Country Music's Biggest NightT" continues to grow with the
announcement today that Reba McEntire will perform with LeAnn Rimes.
Rodney Atkins, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift have been added to the
star-packed list of performers on "The 41st Annual CMA Awards," which
airs live Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television
Network from the Sommet Center in Nashville.
For the first time in the history of the CMA Awards, multiple artists
will share hosting duties during the three-hour gala including Sara
Evans and Rimes.
"The CMA Awards are a platform for reaching a large network audience
with our best and brightest stars," said CMA Chief Operating Officer
Tammy Genovese. "Providing additional on-air opportunities for several
of our artists to host segments of the program provides a different
point of view throughout the night and keeps the pace of the CMA Awards
fresh and exciting. These artists are personable, engaging, respected by
their peers and beloved by the fans. Having artists host the CMA Awards
is a cornerstone of this event - we are simply inviting a few more to
the podium."
The first round of presenters is also being announced including Luke
Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, Jewel with Ty Murray, Kid
Rock, CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year nominee Montgomery Gentry, and
Dwight Yoakam.
McEntire received two 2007 CMA Awards nominations for Female Vocalist of
the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for her duet "Because of You" with
two-time Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson, marking Clarkson's first CMA
Awards nomination. McEntire on the other hand solidified her position as
the female artist with the most nominations (45) in the history of the
CMA Awards. Only Alan Jackson, George Strait and Vince Gill have more.
McEntire's duet with Rimes, "When You Love Someone Like That," is from
McEntire's recent album, Reba Duets, which debuted at No. 1 on the
Billboard 200 - her biggest first week album sales to date with sales of
more than 300,000 copies. Rimes' own album, Family, was released Oct.
9. and also features the duet with McEntire.
Atkins received his first CMA Awards nomination in 2007 in the Horizon
Award category. His breakthrough album, If You're Going Through Hell,
was released in 2006. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country
albums chart and is certified Platinum.
Lambert received her first CMA Awards nomination in 2005 for the Horizon
Award. In 2006 she was nominated in the category again along with Music
Video of the Year for "Kerosene." In 2007, she is nominated for Female
Vocalist of the Year with Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, McEntire and
Carrie Underwood. Her current CD, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend debuted at No. 1
on the Country album sales chart when it was released in May.
Swift received her first CMA Awards nomination in 2007 for the coveted
Horizon Award. An enhanced version of Swift's Platinum-selling 2006
self-titled debut, The Taylor Swift Limited Deluxe Edition arrives in
stores Nov. 6 and includes new music and a video collection, including
three new songs from Swift and a behind-the-scenes video of her busy
life and career over the past year.
Performers previously announced for the 2007 CMA Awards include Big &
Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Eagles in their first-ever awards
show performance, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George
Strait, Sugarland, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.
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 Broadway and
Fifth Avenue, 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 AOL, LLC., Borders®
Books & Music, Carl Black Chevrolet, Coca-Cola®, Dr Pepper®, Gibson
Guitar®, Greased Lightning® Cleaning Products, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville,
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