NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Country
Music Association) - For the first time in 2008, the Country
Music Association is producing a live, 30-minute television special co-hosted by "Dancing with the Stars" champion and rising Country star
Julianne Hough and the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry
Craig Morgan, featuring the star-studded
Red Carpet arrivals for "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards."
"I'm so excited to be a part of the CMA Awards pre-show," said Hough. "This will be my first time at the CMA Awards and it is definitely the Biggest Night in Country Music. I am looking forward to interviewing the artists that have inspired me and that I've looked up to over the years."
"What a great day," Morgan said. "I was in New York City just leaving the 'Good Morning America' studios when I heard that CMA had asked me to host their first ever Red Carpet special. I was and am extremely honored. It's gonna be a great night and I'm looking forward to working with Julianne Hough to bring all the excitement of the Red Carpet to the fans."
"CMA Awards Red Carpet Live! Presented by Chevy" is being made available to all ABC affiliates in the half hour leading up to the 2008 CMA Awards, which will be broadcast live Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"Country Music's Biggest Night will be even bigger and brighter with the addition of this exciting new program," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "And we are delighted that our valued partners at Chevy are making it possible for us to bring all the sparkle and glamour to fans across the country."
Kim Kosak, Chevrolet general director of advertising and sales promotions stated, "As The Official Ride of Country Music, Chevy has always been proud to be associated with the CMA Awards, and this year we are delighted to present the inaugural Red Carpet Live! special. We wish the best to all the artists involved in the show, and look forward to the fashion, music and fun of Country Music's Biggest Night."
Broadcast times for "CMA Awards Red Carpet Live!" vary by market. Check local listings for exact times in your city. The special will also be made available via ABC.com and ABC affiliate station Web sites.
The special features multi-camera coverage of the Red Carpet arrivals, with Hough and Morgan conducting celebrity and artist interviews and backstage access. The program will give viewers the ultimate VIP experience as they stroll down the Red Carpet alongside their favorite stars.
Mercury Nashville recording artist and two-time "Dancing with the Stars" champion Hough (pronounced "Huff") recently topped both the Billboard Country and Top 200 charts with her self-titled album, as well as with the infectious debut single "That Song In My Head." This year has taken Hough on tour with CMA Awards co-host Brad Paisley; awarded her an Emmy nomination; led her to the stages of Good Morning America and The View; seen her top Maxim's Hot 100 list; and grace the covers of CosmoGirl, Shape, USA Today and People. Hough sings "The Taste Is Gonna Move Ya" jingle for Wrigley's(TM) Juicy Fruit gum and supports Clothes Off Our Back, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and St. Jude. Her current single is "My Hallelujah Song" and her first holiday record titled The Julianne Hough Holiday Collection is currently available exclusively at Target.
Morgan, who was inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry just this week, has built his tremendous popularity with massive radio airplay of his signature hits, including: "Love Remembers," "Almost Home," "Redneck Yacht Club," "International Harvester," and "That's What I Love About Sunday," which was Billboard's Most Played Country Song of 2005. He has performed on the Grand Ole Opry more than 130 times, and plays over 200 sold-out concerts a year. Morgan is signed to Sony Music Entertainment's BNA Records, and released his fifth studio album, That's Why, last week. He spent 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Army before launching his music career, and makes a point to perform as often as possible at U.S. military installations both in the U.S. and abroad. He was awarded the USO Merit Award in 2006 for his tireless support of U.S. soldiers and their families.
"The CMA Awards Red Carpet Live! Presented by Chevy" is a production of the Country Music Association. Bill Bradshaw, Jr. is the Executive Producer. David Rumsey is the Producer/Director.
"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. 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.
