Robin Roberts photo by Donna Svennevik, courtesy of ABC.

ABC will kick off two nights of country music programing tonight at 10/9 CT with the hour-long special, In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All access Nashville, reports Music Row. The special will give viewers an exclusive look inside the homes and private lives of some of country’s biggest stars including Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Sugarland.

During his interview, Keith opened up to Robin about his marriage to Nicole Kidman, being a new father and  his struggle for sobriety. Kenny took Robin to his new Nashville home where he talked about love, life and misconceptions.“I learned a long time ago, several years ago, to quit reading what anybody writes,” Kenny said to Robin.  “I learned not to think about what other people think, I’m just trying, I’m just doing the best I can do to be myself.”

Robin joined Faith in the recording studio as she finished her first new album in six years; and Scotty in the classroom to discuss how he’s balancing his senior year of high school with his newfound fame. She also spent the day with Lauren, who shared what it’s been like to put out her first album while learning to drive. Continue Reading

ShareThis

(clockwise, l-r) Eric Stonestreet photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; Reese Witherspoon photo by John Russell, courtesy of CMA; Ginnifer Goodwin photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; and Kellan Lutz photo courtesy of 42 West.

ESPN sportscaster and “Good Morning America” correspondent Erin Andrews, actor Josh Dallas (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), 2011 World Series MVP and   St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, actress Ginnifer Goodwin (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), actor Kellan Lutz (star of the “Twilight” movie series and the upcoming “Immortals”), Muppet icon Miss Piggy, Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet (star of ABC’s “Modern Family”), actress Emily VanCamp (star of ABC’s “Revenge”), and Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon have been added as presenters on The 45^th Annual CMA Awards.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8-11 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

Previously announced performers for “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban performing a tribute to Glen Campbell; Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing select duets with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; Blake Shelton joined by Continue Reading

ShareThis

Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley will host the 2011 CMA Awards. Photo courtesy of the CMA.

This year, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood had to audition to host the CMA Awards like everyone else. While Brad’s job is apparently safe for the fourth year running, Carrie’s might be in jeopardy. A famous actress has set her sights on Carrie’s gig – and Carrie’s co-host! Take a look at the stiff competition Carrie is up against if she wants to host this year’s CMA Awards!

Carrie Underwood’s Guide To Award Shows >>

Brad Paisley’s Guide to Award Shows >>

Continue Reading

ShareThis

Faith Hill photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

For the first time in 5 years, Faith Hill is returning to the CMA Awards stage as a performer. She will debut her long-anticipated new single, “Come Home,” on the show and will make the song immediately available exclusively on iTunes following its premiere on country radio. The CMA Awards will air live on ABC on November 9 at 8/7 CT.

“I’m ready to get out onstage and do what I love most,” Faith said. “There is no better feeling than performing live – it’s overwhelming, exciting, nerve racking exhilarating, all at the same time.” Continue Reading

ShareThis

Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley will host the 2011 CMA Awards. Photo courtesy of the CMA.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have hosted the CMA Awards for the last three years so surely their hosting gig is safe, right? Carrie certainly thinks so, even as she and Brad have to wait their turn to audition for the role. Carrie’s confidence gets shaken, however, when a famous couple comes in to steal their job. Take a look at the video below to see who has their sights set on Carrie and Brad’s gig!

Carrie Underwood’s Guide To Award Shows >>

Brad Paisley’s Guide to Award Shows >> Continue Reading

ShareThis

Photo courtsey of Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Luke Bryan will be busy at this year’s CMA Awards on November 9. Not only is he nominated for New Artist and scheduled to perform during the live show, he will also serve as the red carpet correspondent for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Luke’s segment from the red carpet will air during Ellen on November 10.

Luke made his first appearance on Ellen in late September to perform his hit “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” He also portrayed ‘Pierre’ in Ellen’s ongoing soap opera drama, As The Tide Turns. Check out the hilarious clip below! Continue Reading

ShareThis

Lauren Alaina photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina, 2005 CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and six-time CMA Award winner Reba McEntire, and 1997 CMA Horizon Award winner LeAnn Rimes are the first artists and celebrities to be announced as presenters on The 45^thAnnual CMA Awards.

Singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson will perform his new single “Run” with the previously-announced Sugarland. Nathanson and Sugarland co-wrote “Run” and toured together earlier this year. The song is found on his Modern Love album, which also features his Billboard Hot AC Top 15 single “Faster.”

Singer/actress Laura Bell Bundy will host the Pre-Telecast Award Ceremony, where she will present Awards to the winners in three CMA Awards categories as well as to all of the recipients of the CMA Broadcast Awards. The winners of these Awards will be acknowledged during the television broadcast.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers for “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing Continue Reading

ShareThis

Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville; Kenny Loggins photo courtesy of Moir / Borman Entertainment.

Entertainer of the Year nominee Blake Shelton has invited singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins to join him for his performance of “Footloose” to open the 45th Annual CMA Awards. Written by Kenny and Dean Pitchford, the song and title of the classic motion picture was a three-week No. 1 hit for Kenny. With the remake of Footloose starring Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald in theaters now, Blake’s rendition of “Footloose” is climbing the charts.

See the Full List of CMA Nominees >>

In addition to Blake and Kenny, other artists previously announced to perform include fellow Entertainer of the Year nominees Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban, CMA New Artist of the Year nominees Chris Young, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Thompson Square and The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter and Rascal Flatts with Natasha Bedingfield. Continue Reading

ShareThis

Glen Campbell photo courtesy of Big Hassle PR.

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley and former CMA Entertainers of the Year Vince Gill and Keith Urban will pay tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Entertainer of the Year Glen Campbell during The 45^th Annual CMA Awards. The three guitar virtuosos’ performance saluting the legendary singer/musician will be a highlight of “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing a medley of hits with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker; and co-hosts Brad and Carrie in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song “Remind Me.”

Check Out Our Complete CMA Awards Section >>

Glen Campbell was named both CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1968, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The legendary performer has sold more than 45 million albums and recorded such classic hits as “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Galveston,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Southern Nights,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” As a musician, Glen was part of the much-heralded Wrecking Crew that performed on a variety of artists’ albums. His guitar prowess is featured on the Beach Boys‘ seminal album Pet Sounds and on Frank Sinatra‘s megahit “Strangers in the Night,” among others. He acted alongside John Wayne in the movie “True Grit,” and hosted The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on television from 1968-1972. Earlier this year, Glen announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He is in the midst of his successful Goodbye Tour after releasing his final album, the critically-acclaimed Ghost on the Canvas.

ShareThis

Lionel Richie and Shania Twain photo by Alan Silfen, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Lionel Richie has been added to the list of performers at this year’s CMA Awards. Lionel will debut select duets from his upcoming country duets album, Tuskegee. Lionel is scheduled to perform selections from the album with duet partners Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts. The CMA Awards will air live on ABC on November 9 at 8/7 CT.

Tuskegee contains 13 duets with some of the biggest names in country music. Other artists joining Lionel on the album include Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett.

“As my songwriting progressed, I realized that my songs perfectly translated to the country genre,” Lionel said. He was born and raised in Tuskagee, Alabama. “I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural,” he said. Continue Reading

ShareThis