Tim McGraw and A Vince Gill/Daughtry Duet are Among the Performers Added to the Lineup for 'The 43rd Annual CMA Awards'

Tim McGraw and A Vince Gill/Daughtry Duet are Among the Performers Added to the Lineup for 'The 43rd Annual CMA Awards'

Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, and Zac Brown Band to Perform on "Country Music's Biggest Night"

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The star-packed lineup for "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" grows dramatically with the announcement today that Tim McGraw will perform for the first time in four years, and that Vince Gill will duet with rock band Daughtry.

Other performers announced today include Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and Zac Brown Band. "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Previously announced performers include Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Underwood, and Keith Urban.

McGraw last performed on the CMA Awards stage in 2005, when he joined wife Faith Hill on "Like We Never Loved At All." His last solo performance on the CMA Awards was in 2004, when he opened the show with "How Bad Do You Want It?" The superstar, who has sold more than 40 million albums and dominated the charts with 30 No. 1 singles, has won 11 CMA Awards, including Entertainer (2001); Male Vocalist (1999, 2000); and Album of the Year (1998 for Everywhere; 1999 for A Place in the Sun). McGraw last received a CMA Award in 2007 for Musical Event of the Year on "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" with Tracy Lawrence and Kenny Chesney. McGraw will release his new album, Southern Voice, on Oct. 20.

In their debut CMA Awards performance, Grammy-nominated rock band Daughtry joins Country Music Hall of Fame member Gill for a duet of "Tennessee Line," which the superstars recorded together for Daughtry's new album, Leave This Town. That album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in July, becoming the group's second consecutive album to top the charts. Daughtry's self-titled first album, released in 2006, was the quickest-selling rock debut album in SoundScan history, selling more than five million copies worldwide.

Gill has won 18 CMA Awards, including Entertainer (1993, 1994), Male Vocalist (1991-1995), and Album of the Year (1993 for I Still Believe in You; 1994 for Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles). The singer/songwriter, who hosted the CMA Awards for 12 consecutive years (1992-2003), was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Aldean, who has a career total of two CMA nominations, recently celebrated topping the Billboard Top Country Singles chart for four weeks with his hit "Big Green Tractor." The song, which is from his album Wide Open, also topped the Billboard all-genre ringtone chart, a first for a Country artist.

Currington earned two nominations this year, Single and Music Video of the Year, both for "People Are Crazy," from his album Little Bit of Everything. He co-produced the single with Carson Chamberlain, while the video was directed by The Brads. Currington has a career total of three CMA nominations, as he was previously nominated in 2005 for Musical Event of the Year for his duet with Shania Twain on "Party for Two." The writers of "People Are Crazy," Bobby Braddock and Troy Jones, are currently nominated for Song of the Year.

Reigning New Artist of the Year Lady Antebellum received two nominations in 2009. The trio is up for Vocal Group and Single of the Year for "I Run to You," produced by Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley, from their Platinum-certified self-titled debut album. Lady Antebellum recently released "Need You Now," the first single from their upcoming new album of the same name, in stores Jan. 2010.

Lambert is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year. The fiery performer has a career total of seven CMA nominations. Her new album Revolution recently debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart. This accomplishment established Lambert as the third artist in the SoundScan era to have their first three albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.

Zac Brown Band received their debut three nominations in 2009 for New Artist, Vocal Group, and Single of the Year for "Chicken Fried," from their Platinum-certified album The Foundation. Lead singer Zac Brown also received a fourth nomination as co-writer of "Chicken Fried" (along with Wyatt Durrette) in the Song of the Year category.

Tickets for the 2009 CMA Awards 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. All ticket 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, and 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, logos and on-line media credential registration for the CMA Awards. 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
Denise Carberry, PFA/NY, +1-212-334-6116; or Lisa Scalzo, ABC/NY,
+1-212-456-7109

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

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Profile: International Entertainment