Stage and Screen Superstar & Country Icon Reba McEntire to Host For the 10th Time the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music's Party of the Year(TM)

Stage and Screen Superstar & Country Icon Reba McEntire to Host For the 10th Time the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music's Party of the Year(TM)

TELECAST TO AIR LIVE FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS SUNDAY, MAY 18th AT 8:00 PM ET/PT ON CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

ENCINO, Calif., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy of Country Music announced today the return of Reba McEntire as host of the 43rd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, an event which honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Reba McEntire is a country music legend who has been delivering number one songs for more than 20 years and has sold more than 50 million records over the course of her incredible career. Her name and voice are synonymous with country music. In 2001, after conquering the country music world many times over, McEntire set her sights on Broadway, where she starred in the hugely successful revival of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun." Soon after, she began work on her hit WB sitcom, "Reba," for which she was awarded a 2001 People's Choice Award and a 2004 Golden Globe nomination.

Reba's current album, "Duets," debuted at the top of the pop and country charts in late 2007 and has already earned a top two single and platinum sales status. "Reba #1's," her compilation album, celebrated platinum certification in 2006 and is a celebration of a career that has included 33 #1 songs, 29 albums, multiple awards and countless shows and performances.

"I am celebrating my tenth anniversary of hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards," said Reba McEntire. "I'm excited to honor country music's greatest talent at this spectacular awards show."

This year's telecast, which is produced by Dick Clark Productions, Inc., will mark the unprecedented tenth time that McEntire has hosted the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. She has won 11 Academy of Country Music Awards and has 41 nominations total. In 2001 she was awarded the first annual Academy of Country Music / The Home Depot Humanitarian Award for her outstanding philanthropic work. In 2003, the Academy of Country Music awarded her the title of "Leading Lady" in recognition of her status as the all-time leading winner in the Top Female Vocalist category with seven wins.

About the Academy of Country Music

Founded in 1964, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC is an artist and industry-driven organization, that provides the financial resources to ensure the on-going philanthropic work of its Charitable Fund. The Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund promotes and supports music education and humanitarian programs that transform the human spirit. Through its charitable donations, the ACMCF works towards promoting Learning Through Music and Healing Through Music. The Academy is comprised of more than 4,500 professional members and more than 40,000 associate members and is headquartered in Encino, Calif.

About the Academy of Country Music Awards

The 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by Dick Clark Productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. The show is executive produced by R.A. Clark, and produced by Barry Adelman. The executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo.

For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC and the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, please visit http://www.acmcountry.com/. For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC CHARITABLE FUND, please visit http://www.acmcf.org/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The Academy of Country Music

CONTACT: Julie Smith, jsmith@bncpr.com, or Enjoli Duval,
eduval@bncpr.com, both of BNC, +1-310-854-4800, for The Academy of Country
Music

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

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Profile: International Entertainment