More Star Power Added to "The 41st Annual CMA Awards"

- Reba McEntire to Perform Duet with LeAnn Rimes; Rodney Atkins, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift Added to Performance Lineup
- Multiple Artists to Host Segments of the Three-hour Gala, Including Sara Evans and LeAnn Rimes
- CMA Awards Presenters Announced Include Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, Jewel with Ty Murray, Kid Rock, Montgomery Gentry and Dwight Yoakam

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 -- "Country Music's Biggest Night(tm)" continues to grow with the announcement today that Reba McEntire will perform with LeAnn Rimes. Rodney Atkins, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift have also been added to the star-packed list of performers on "The 41st Annual CMA Awards," airing live WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-11:00 p.m., 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 first round of presenters also announced today will include 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 her recent album, "Reba Duets," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 - her biggest first-week album sales to date, more than 300,000 copies. Rimes' own album, "Family," was released October 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 November 6 and includes new music and a video collection -- 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. Additional artists and presenters will be added to the lineup and announced at a later date.

"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 and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

Source: ABC

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