NASHVILLE, TN (CMA Awards) - "Country Music's Biggest NightT" is getting even bigger with the announcement today that Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, and
Carrie Underwood will perform when "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" airs live Monday, Nov. 6 (8:00-1:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. The three-hour gala will be hosted for the third time by Kix Brooks and
Ronnie Dunn of superduo Brooks & Dunn.
"The slate of nominees for the 2006 CMA Awards speaks to the strength and vitality of the format," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "And this year's Awards will reflect that in every performance."
Jackson maintains his perch atop of the list of artists with the most career CMA Awards nominations in 2006 with 74. He is nominated for Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for Precious Memories. The album is a pared down collection of church standards Jackson recorded for his mother as a Christmas present in 2005. Initially, there were only 100 copies recorded.
After winning three consecutive Vocal Group of the Year Awards (2003, 2004, 2005), Rascal Flatts received their first nomination for CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year. The Entertainer of the Year Award has only been won four times by a group including Dixie Chicks (2000) and Alabama (1982, 1983, 1984). Rascal Flatts also received nominations for Vocal Group and Album of the Year for Me And My Gang. Rascal Flatts co-produced the album with Dann Huff. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Rascal Flatts is the No. 1 selling act of the year thus far, having sold more albums in 2006 than any other artist regardless of genre.
One of the breakout artists of the past year, Underwood definitely didn't miss the attention of CMA's voting members. She received four CMA Awards nominations - tying her with Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. They were her first CMA Awards nominations and they include Female Vocalist; the Horizon Award; and Single and Music Video of the Year for "Jesus Take The Wheel," which was also nominated for Song of the Year for songwriters, Hillary Lindsey, Brett James, and Gordie Sampson. The song is from Underwood's debut album Some Hearts, which made RIAA history with the fastest platinum certification for a female Country debut album. Currently RIAA certified as triple platinum for three million copies sold, Some Hearts is also Nielsen SoundScan's fastest-selling Country debut album by a female vocalist.
Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, and Brad Paisley have already been announced as performers, with more names to be added in the weeks leading up to the CMA Awards.
Tickets for "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" are now on-sale to the general public, and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (615) 255-9600; or in-person at the Gaylord Entertainment Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). The ticket price is $150 for Bronze level seating; $200 for Silver level seating (excluding applicable service/handling fees). CMA members, who are eligible to purchase tickets, will receive information on how to buy tickets via mail in early September.
"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer; Robert Deaton is the Consulting Producer. Premiere Radio Network 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 2006 CMA Awards. Chevy, an American Revolution, is the official ride of the 2006 CMA Awards. Additional promotional partners include aolmusic.com, Greased Lightning Cleaning Products, and Hallmark Cards. Charles Fazzino is the official artist of the 2006 CMA Awards.
