NASHVILLE, Tenn., (Country
Music Association) - The Big Apple hosts "Country Music's Biggest Night" when "The 39th Annual CMA Awards" is broadcast live Tuesday, Nov. 15 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the CBS Television Network from Madison
Square Garden in New York City.
"When the CMA Board of Directors made the decision to move the CMA Awards from Nashville to New York for this year, we made a commitment to take our best show and brightest talent to Madison Square Garden - and we hit the mark," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "We have touched on all the elements that make Country Music meaningful to anyone who loves great music."
"The 39th Annual CMA Awards," which is hosted for the second year by Brooks & Dunn, airs live Tuesday, Nov. 15 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the CBS Television Network from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Opening the three-hour gala is reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney. Other performers include Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss + Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Julie Roberts, George Strait, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Lee Ann Womack.
Garth Brooks will perform "Good Ride, Cowboy," his personal tribute to the late Chris LeDoux. Collaborations, which have always been a hallmark of the CMA Awards, include Bon Jovi performing with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland and Dolly Parton and Sir Elton John, performing together for the first time ever.
Also joining musical forces are Willie Nelson and Paul Simon, who will perform and then present CMA Song of the Year. Current "American Idol" Carrie Underwood will debut her first single "Jesus, Take The Wheel" and then present a CMA Award.
Previously announced presenters include Trace Adkins, Cowboy Troy, James Gandolfini, Billy Joel, Kris Kristofferson, Montgomery Gentry, Olivia Newton- John, Joe Nichols, LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna, and Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix, who star as June and Johnny Cash in the upcoming movie biopic "Walk the Line."
Vince Gill, who hosted the CMA Awards for a record 12 years (1992-2003), will introduce the formal induction of 2005 Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama, Glen Campbell and the late Deford Bailey.
Jamie O'Neal and duo Blue County (Aaron Benward and Scott Reeves) will present CMA Awards during pre-telecast festivities including the CMA Broadcast Awards.
For the first time ever, tickets for the 2005 CMA Awards are available to the general public. Tickets can be purchased by logging on to https://www.ticketmaster.com; calling (212) 307-7171 (or any local Ticketmaster outlet phone number); or in-person at the Madison Square Garden box office. Tickets to the 2005 CMA Awards can also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets across the nation. The ticket price is $250 (not including tax and service charges).
Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer of the CMA Awards. Paul Miller is the director and David Wild will script the ceremonies. MJI Programming, a division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, which includes Red Carpet coverage and a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. Chevy, an American Revolution, is the official automotive sponsor of the 2005 CMA Awards. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2005 CMA Awards. Additional promotional sponsors include Prilosec OTC(R), aolmusic.com, BMG Columbia House, Inc., Chase, Country Weekly, Creme Savers(R) Candy, Crisco(R), Gibson Guitars, Jack Daniel's, Kellogg's(R), Kmart(sm), Kodak, Lever 2000(R) and XM Satellite Radio(R). Charles Fazzino is the official artist of the 2005 CMA Awards. FilmMagic.com is the Official Photographer of the 2005 CMA Awards.
