CMT Viewers Select the Finalists for the '2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS'

CMT Viewers Select the Finalists for the '2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS'

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- CMT viewers have selected the finalists for the 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, country music's only fan-voted awards show. Today, country star Terri Clark announced the finalists at a press conference in Nashville. Voting is now open again for fans to vote online at CMT.com through Friday, April 8 to determine the CMT MUSIC AWARDS winners.

Winners will be announced on the 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS telecast Monday, April 11 from 8:00-10:00 PM, ET* on CMT. Hosted by comedy kingpin Jeff Foxworthy, the annual awards show will feature performances by Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Big and Rich, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and more. The four finalists for Video of the Year will be announced during the live awards show telecast, and fans will be able to vote during the live telecast at CMT.com to determine the winner of this coveted award. Category finalists, as announced today, are:

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a male artist; Awarded to the artist - Keith Urban - "Days Go By" - Kenny Chesney - "I Go Back" - Tim McGraw - "Live Like You Were Dying" - Toby Keith - "Stays In Mexico"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a female artist; Awarded to the artist - Gretchen Wilson - "When I Think About Cheatin'" - Martina McBride - "How Far" - Reba McEntire - "Somebody" - Terri Clark - "Girls Lie Too"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS GROUP/DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a group or duo; Awarded to the artists - Big & Rich - "Holy Water" - Lonestar - "Mr. Mom" - Montgomery Gentry - "If You Ever Stop Loving Me" - Rascal Flatts - "Feels Like Today"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; Awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo) - Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss - "Whiskey Lullaby" - Jimmy Buffett with Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and George Strait - "Hey Good Lookin'" - Nelly featuring Tim McGraw - "Over And Over" - Shania Twain with Billy Currington - "Party For Two"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS HOTTEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR Sexiest video; Awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) - Keith Urban - "You're My Better Half" - Kenny Chesney - "Old Blue Chair" - Sara Evans - "Suds In The Bucket" - Toby Keith - "Whiskey Girl"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video from an artist's major label debut album; Awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo) - Big & Rich - "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" - Gretchen Wilson - "Redneck Woman" - Josh Gracin - "I Want To Live" - Julie Roberts - "Break Down Here"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MOST INSPIRING VIDEO OF THE YEAR Video that celebrates the human condition in a positive and optimistic way; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) - Big & Rich - "Holy Water" - Joe Nichols - "If Nobody Believed In You" - Martina McBride - "God's Will" - Tim McGraw - "Live Like You Were Dying"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Video with the best direction (video that best captures the mood, tempo, and intensity of the song); Awarded to the video director for work on a specific video and accepted by the director and the artist - David Hogan - Gretchen Wilson - "Redneck Woman" - Michael Salomon - Toby Keith - "Stays In Mexico" - Rick Schroder - Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss - "Whiskey Lullaby" - Shaun Silva - Kenny Chesney - "I Go Back"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video of the year; Awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Final four nominees announced on live telecast; final voting held online during the live telecast. - Big & Rich - "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" - Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss - "Whiskey Lullaby" - Gretchen Wilson - "Redneck Woman" - Keith Urban - "Days Go By" - Kenny Chesney - "I Go Back" - Rascal Flatts - "Feels Like Today" - Tim McGraw - "Live Like You Were Dying" - Toby Keith - "Stays In Mexico"

Tickets for the 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 615-255-9600, and online at CMT.com and ticketmaster.com.

CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches 77.1 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at http://www.cmt.com/ .

*EDITORS: The 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premieres LIVE on Monday, April 11 at 8:00 PM, Eastern and 7:00 PM, Central; and at 9:00 PM, Mountain and 8:00 PM, Pacific (tape delayed)

Source: CMT

Contact: Cindy McLean, +1-615-335-8404, or cindy.mclean@cmt.com , or Jama Bowen, +1-615-335-8405, or jama.bowen@cmt.com , both of CMT

Web site: http://www.cmt.com/

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