News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 18, 2003
ARTIST PERFORMANCES INCLUDED IN CBS’ “THE EARLY SHOW” COVERAGE OF THE CMA AWARDS NOMINEES PRESS CONFERENCE LIVE FROM GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE, TUESDAY, AUG. 26
CBS News Anchor Hannah Storm To Interview Martina McBride With Live Performances by Rascal Flatts and Darryl Worley
NASHVILLE – CBS-Television Network’s “The Early Show” coverage of the CMA Awards Nominees Press Conference Tuesday, Aug. 26 from the world-famous Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., continues to grow with interview segments and performances added to the planned coverage of the prestigious event.
“We are delighted to have national network attention for our announcements,” said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. “Anticipation is starting to build and the performances by our artists will add a whole new level of excitement to the announcement of our finalists for the CMA Awards. This is a wonderful platform and a great vehicle to raise awareness of the CMA Awards and our terrific artists.”
For the first time, the final nominees of select categories for the CMA Awards will be announced live during “The Early Show” with CBS News Anchor Hannah Storm, host and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride and special guests reigning CMA Horizon Award winners Rascal Flatts. The announcements will start at approximately 8:30 AM/EDT (7:30 AM/CDT). Earlier in the show, Storm will interview McBride and Rascal Flatts will perform. Following the announcements, Darryl Worley, who is participating in the announcement of the CMA Broadcast Award finalists, is also scheduled to perform.
Joining Worley to announce the CMA Broadcast Award finalists during the press conference will be Steve Azar, Jennifer Hanson, Buddy Jewell and Jimmy Wayne. Doors at the Grand Ole Opry House open to invited guests at 6:00 AM/CDT, with activities starting as early as 6:30 AM/CDT. All appearances, performances and times are subject to change.
In addition to the live coverage on CBS’ “The Early Show,” the entire announcements live via CBS’ satellite service; in addition, an edited video news release will be available via CBS’ satellite service mid-day Tuesday, Aug. 26. An audio feed of the press conference, as well as the announcement of the 2003 CMA Broadcast Award finalists, will be available via StarGuide, from CMA’s official radio partner MJI Programming, a division of Premiere Radio Networks. In Nashville, the event will be carried live on NewsChannel 5+. Radio stations interested in receiving the audio feed may contact MJI Programming at (212) 896-5272 or e-mail rhamilton@mji.com. For information about satellite coordinates for the live feed and VNR, please contact Cory Chapman at CMA (615) 244-2840 or by e-mail at cchapman@CMAworld.com.
Hosted by Vince Gill, “The 37th Annual CMA Awards” will be broadcast live on CBS (8:00–11:00 PM/EST) Wednesday, Nov. 5 from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. “The Early Show” is broadcast weekdays (7:00-9:00 AM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Michael Bass is the senior executive producer.