Former CMA Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban will perform an intimate version of "The Christmas Song" during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.   Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles hosts the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from "American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian ... Read more

Tim Nichols, Rivers Rutherford, and Leslie Satcher Join Host Bob DiPiero CMA Songwriters Series once again returns to New York City’s Joe’s Pub, on Sunday, Dec. 18 (6:30 and 9:00 PM/ET). This incredibly popular series gives music fans an inside look at the art of songwriting from some of Nashville’s most talented tunesmiths. Writers participating in this event are Tim Nichols (“Live Like You Were Dying” recorded by Tim McGraw, ... Read more

Reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Sugarland will perform the Christmas classic "Silent Night" during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. The duo's Jennifer Nettles will host the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from "American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian ... Read more

ABC Marks its Top-Rated Wednesday in 2 Years, its Best Performance Any Night This Season and the 2nd-Biggest Non-Sports Number for Any Net on Any Night of Fall ‘11  Up Year to Year with Young Adults, Key Men, Key Women and Teens, ABC’s “CMA Awards” Equals its 2nd-Best Adult 18-34 and Highest Men 18-34 Numbers in 7 Years  “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” (8:00-11:00 p.m.) With its broadcast of “The ... Read more

The Country Music Association has selected Belmont University senior student Bennett Farkas as the recipient of the 2011 CMA Close Up Award of Merit. The award was created in 2007 to honor the student who demonstrated the most creativity, dedication and promise in covering the 2011 CMA Music Festival on assignment from CMA.   Farkas was presented the award during the backstage press conference coverage of "The 45th Annual CMA ... Read more

FOX News Channel entertainment producer Ashley Dvorkin was presented the 2011 CMA Media Achievement Award backstage in the media center during the "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" by CMA Board member and industry publicist Jessie Schmidt.   "It is such an honor to receive this Award from the CMA member publicists," said Dvorkin. "Thank you to everyone involved. It's a true pleasure to work with you, and I'm very proud ... Read more

Two-Hour Special Tapes Tonight at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Featuring Performances by Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Sugarland, Keith Urban and Vince Gill Performs with Miss Piggy! NASHVILLE - Country's biggest stars as well as cross-genre musical innovators come together to celebrate the holidays on "CMA Country Christmas," which tapes in ... Read more

Jason Aldean and The Band Perry Pick Up Two Awards Each; Kimberly Perry Picks Up A Solo Award for Song of the Year; Newlyweds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Named Male and Female Vocalist of the Year It was a night of new victors and returning champions at "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" Wednesday night in Nashville.   Taylor Swift won her second CMA Entertainer of the Year trophy. Newlyweds ... Read more

The New 10-Year Agreement Extends Partnership Through 2021 The ABC Television Network and the Country Music Association have extended their broadcast agreement through 2021 announced ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee and CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. The new agreement assures broadcasts of the CMA franchises including the "CMA Awards," the "CMA Festival: Country's Night to Rock," and the "CMA Country Christmas" for another decade.   "We are thrilled ... Read more

The McClymonts have received the 2011 CMA Global Country Artist Award. The Australian sisters - Brooke, Samantha, and Mollie McClymont - were presented with the honor during the annual CMA International Reception held on Nov. 7 as part of festivities around "The 45th Annual CMA Awards." The Award was presented by CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore.   "Wow, after five months of living here in Nashville, to have picked ... Read more

During the annual CMA International Reception held on Nov. 7 as part of festivities around "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," Ralph Murphy, songwriter, producer and VP of ASCAP Nashville, was given the 2011 Jo Walker-Meador International Award. The Award was presented by CMA CEO Steve Moore.   "The industry has been more than generous with all the Irish, the Canadians, the Norwegians, the Australians, the Dutch, the Germans - everyone ... Read more

ESPN sportscaster and "Good Morning America" correspondent Erin Andrews, actor Josh Dallas (star of ABC's "Once Upon a Time"), 2011 World Series MVP and   St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, actress Ginnifer Goodwin (star of ABC's "Once Upon a Time"), actor Kellan Lutz (star of the "Twilight" movie series and the upcoming "Immortals"), Muppet icon Miss Piggy, Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet (star of ABC's "Modern Family"), actress Emily ... Read more

CMAawards.com to Go Live from the #CMAawards Red Carpet The Country Music Association has surpassed one million digital fans, followers and subscribers. The total includes audiences on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as well as mobile subscribers and “CMA Exclusive” e-mail subscribers. And the figure is growing daily as excitement builds for “The 45th Annual CMA Awards.” “With this accomplishment, CMA has surpassed all competing award show organizations, including the Grammy ... Read more

Downtown Nashville will be making a few traffic adjustments in preparation for “The 45th Annual CMA Awards,” airing on the ABC Television Network, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (7:00-10:00 PM/CT) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Production set-up for the CMA Awards will require special traffic patterns.   Saturday, Nov. 5 Beginning at 9:00 AM/CT, Demonbreun Street will close between Fourth Avenue South and Fifth Avenue South.   Sunday, Nov. 6 At ... Read more

Two-Year Commitment Begins with Autographed Camaro To Be Auctioned Off To Benefit Music Education Initiative Chevrolet, the official ride of Country Music, is joining forces with the Country Music Association (CMA) to shine a light on music education by partnering with Keep the Music Playing, CMA’s music education initiative. To kick off their two-year commitment to Keep the Music Playing, Chevy has donated a 2012 Camaro convertible which will be ... Read more

Exclusive Rehearsal Footage and Interviews Available in Three Video Highlights Packages With Feeds Beginning Monday, Nov. 7 CMA will provide up-to-the-minute rehearsal footage and interviews with nominees and performers appearing on “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” in three Video Highlights Package feeds beginning Monday, Nov. 7. “The 45th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 ... Read more

"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" is a week away, but the nominees were already celebrating last night at a dinner in their honor at The Pinnacle at Symphony Place in Nashville. "Keith Urban proposed the idea of CMA hosting a private event to honor all of our nominees," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "It was a great idea and an excellent opportunity for our nominees and CMA Broadcast ... Read more

Matt Nathanson to Perform with Sugarland Laura Bell Bundy to Host and Present Awards During Pre-Telecast Ceremony "American Idol" runner-up Lauren Alaina, 2005 CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and six-time CMA Award winner Reba, and 1997 CMA Horizon Award winner LeAnn Rimes are the first artists and celebrities to be announced as presenters on "The 45th ... Read more

"THE 45th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS" ARE SOLD OUT For the third consecutive year, all available tickets for "Country Music's Biggest Night(tm)" have been sold. "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," hosted for the fourth year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.    "The Awards have sold out the past two years, but this ... Read more

Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton has invited legendary singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins to join him during a performance of the classic hit "Footloose" as the opening song for "The 45th Annual CMA Awards." "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers for ... Read more