Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood Will Return To Host 'The 43rd Annual CMA Awards' Live From Nashville on ABC Television Network on Nov. 11

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood Will Return To Host 'The 43rd Annual CMA Awards' Live From Nashville on ABC Television Network on Nov. 11

Tickets Go On Sale Sept. 19.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The reigning CMA Male and Female Vocalists of the Year, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, will reunite to host "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards." This will be the second consecutive time that Paisley and Underwood have hosted "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)." "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"We are thrilled to have Brad and Carrie return as hosts after doing such a great job last year," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Both Brad and Carrie are in their prime as artists, as evidenced by them being named Male and Female Vocalist of the Year, respectively, last year. They each possess a great sense of humor and timing, which are two essential ingredients for hosting the Awards."

"I am thrilled to get the chance to co-host the CMAs for a second time with my pal Carrie," said Paisley. "This year we'll pull out all the stops, like a miniature poodle balancing act, tightrope walking, and a new world record for the number of costume changes by my co-host. Don't miss it!"

"I regret to inform Brad that I do not have a poodle, and I would appreciate it if he asks me permission before he tries on all my dresses this year," responded Underwood. "But all kidding aside, I'm really excited to be hosting again this year with my friend, Brad, as we celebrate another wonderful year of Country Music! It's going to be a great show!"

Paisley has won 11 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award in 2000, including Male Vocalist (2007, 2008) and Album (2006 for Time Well Wasted). He also won Musical Event twice, first in 2004 with Alison Krauss for "Whiskey Lullaby," and second in 2006 for "When I Get Where I'm Going" with Dolly Parton; Vocal Event in 2001 for "Too Country" with Bill Anderson, George Jones and Buck Owens; and Music Video of the Year three times, first in 2002 for "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song);" second in 2004 for "Whiskey Lullaby" (again with Krauss), and third in 2007 for "Online." He is currently tied with Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw at No. 5 on the list of top CMA Award winners.

Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has also earned him three Grammy Awards. He has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums that have accumulated sales of over 10 million units, including the Double Platinum-certified Time Well Wasted. His most recent album, American Saturday Night, released on June 30 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums sales chart. Paisley has 14 No.1 singles - the last 10 consecutive - extending a streak already unmatched by any other Country artist in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS- monitored airplay. He is also a featured performer on "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," airing Monday, Aug. 31 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Underwood has received 5 CMA Awards in her young career, including three consecutive wins as Female Vocalist (2006-2008), as well as Single of the Year (2007 for "Before He Cheats") and the Horizon Award (2006).

Underwood, after wrapping her 2008 concert tour with 1.2 million fans in attendance, launched into early 2009 as the first Country artist in history to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums, when "I Told You So" became her tenth single to top a key sales or airplay chart and her fifth consecutive chart-topper from Carnival Ride. To date, Underwood, who has also won four Grammy Awards, is the U.S. best-selling "American Idol" winner with album sales over 10 million. Underwood will release a new album on Nov. 3 on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville with producer Mark Bright, who helmed 2007's hit-filled Carnival Ride, as well as seven tracks (including four No. 1 singles ) from Underwood's blockbuster 2005 debut, Some Hearts.

Tickets for the 2009 CMA Awards will go on sale to the public on Sept. 19, and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Sommet Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). Ticket prices begin at $110 for Upper Level, $218.50 for Club Level, and $382.50 for Lower Level. All prices include sales tax but exclude applicable service/handling fees.

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. David Wild is the writer. 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.

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2009 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music.

Visit www.CMApress.com for CMA Awards history, photos, press releases, and logos. Media can also visit this site for on-line media credential registration for the CMA Awards, beginning Sept. 10. This is a protected site for the media only with restrictions on use. The public should be directed to www.CMAawards.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl or Scott Stem, both of CMA, +1-615-244-2840; or
Mozell Miley of ABC/NY, +1-212-456-6444; or Denise Carberry of PFA/NY,
+1-212-334-6116; or Darlene Bieber (for Brad Paisley), +1-615-851-4917, or
Jessie Schmidt (for Carrie Underwood), +1-615-851-4917

Web Site: http://www.cmaawards.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment