40th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS Announces Line Up for New Artists Show Presented by Chevrolet, an American Revolution

40th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS Announces Line Up for New Artists Show Presented by Chevrolet, an American Revolution

Academy of Country Music Awards' New Artist Nominees Big & Rich, Josh Gracin, Julie Roberts, Josh Turner and Gretchen Wilson Set to Perform

BURBANK, Calif., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Academy of Country Music announced the lineup for the 2nd annual New Artists' Show, a concert held the night before the 40th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS which is broadcast LIVE from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 17th, 2005 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

On Monday, May 16, 2005, country's newest superstars Big & Rich, Josh Gracin, Julie Roberts, Josh Turner and Gretchen Wilson -- all of whom are nominated in the Top New Artist category for this year's 40th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS -- will showcase their talents in an intimate performance setting in the Mandalay Bay Ballroom.

"Chevy's commitment to supporting country music's up-and-coming stars has been significant and very visible during the last few years, and the community really appreciates their support," said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "In that spirit, the Academy is thrilled that Chevrolet has come on board to sponsor the New Artist Show for the first time ever."

Multi-platinum Big & Rich, first-time nominees and founders of the Muzik Mafia, are up for three awards including Top New Artist, Top Vocal Duo and Video of the Year (for "Save A Horse, Ride a Cowboy"). John Rich has also received two additional nominations as associate producer of Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman" (nominated for Single Record of the Year) and "Here for the Party" (nominated for Album of the Year).

Former Marine and "American Idol 2" finalist, Josh Gracin, has stormed the country music world with his self-titled debut album, which is rapidly approaching gold status. His first single, "I Want To Live," was also his first hit -- climbing the charts to #4. His second single, "Nothin' to Lose," went all the way to #1.

The hit single "Break Down Here" and the premiere of the CMT documentary "In The Moment" launched media darling Julie Roberts in front of the faces of millions. Since then she has celebrated gold certification of her self-titled debut album and currently stars as the face and voice of ABC's "Good Morning America."

Josh Turner's debut album, "Long Black Train," certified gold in just 12 weeks and is now certified platinum. His single by the same name is the longest running single in the history of Radio and Records' country chart.

Gretchen Wilson skyrocketed to fame with 2004's "Here For The Party," the critically-acclaimed debut quadruple-platinum album that yielded multiple hits including her first single "Redneck Woman" which she performed live on television for the first-time on last year's Academy of Country Music Awards. Wilson is nominated for five Academy of Country Music Awards this year, including Top New Artist, Top Female Vocalist, Single Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Video of the Year.

The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 with a mission to support, promote, and enhance the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The Academy, which is comprised of 3,800+ professional members and a newly established Associate Membership, is headquartered in Burbank, CA. For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and the Academy of Country Music, please visit www.acmcountry.com.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is produced for television by dick clark productions. The show is executive produced by Dick Clark and R.A. Clark, and produced by Barry Adelman. The executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo, and the executive in charge is Fran LaMaina.

Southwest Airlines is the official airline of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS will be broadcast LIVE from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 17th, 2005 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS Television Network.

Source: Academy of Country Music

CONTACT: Brooke Primero or Melissa Armstrong both of BNC, +1-310-854-4800, for Academy of Country Music

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

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