News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 30, 2008
ABC.COM AND CMAAWARDS.COM READY FOR “THE 42ND ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”
ABC.com to Offer Daily Video Updates; “Thank You Cam” Provides Backstage Glimpse Moments After the Winners are Announced; “My Picks” Application Allows Fans to Share Their Favorite Nominees
NASHVILLE - With "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" fast approaching, ABC.com and CMAawards.com are abuzz with information and interactive experiences for Country Music enthusiasts.
"With the help of our wonderful partners at ABC, we've developed new tools to keep our Web-savvy fans informed and engaged in the days leading up to the 2008 CMA Awards," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese.
The Disney-ABC Television Group is offering daily coverage beginning Nov. 5 with "The Countdown to Country Music's Biggest Night" on ABC.com. Hosted by RCA recording artists Chuck Wicks, Jake Owen, and former Miss Tennessee Ashley Eicher, "Countdown to Country Music's Biggest Night" will cover the events that take place in the days leading up to the CMA Awards, featuring interviews with Country artists, exclusive behind the scenes access, daily news, event coverage, and much more. The Countdown will include nine daily shows, which will also be available at CMAawards.com and will be distributed to ABC's mobile partners and affiliates.
Produced in full by the ABC.com Digital Media Group, "The Countdown to Country Music's Biggest Night" features a new show each day through Nov. 12, when "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" airs live at 8:00-11:00 PM/ET on the ABC Television Network from the Sommet Center in Nashville. A final online recap will be available Nov. 13 with post-event/party coverage.
For the first time this year, ABC.com is offering a live backstage "Thank You Camera" for CMA Award winners to thank all those people who weren't acknowledged at the podium as well as a live show blog.
Available on both Facebook and CMAawards.com, "My Picks" will allow fans to share their choices for "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" top winners. Participants can pick their favorite CMA Awards nominee within each of the six artist-specific categories: Entertainer, Male, Female, Vocal Group, Vocal Duo and New Artist of the Year. While the "My Picks" results will have no sway on the choosing of the final and official CMA Award winners, fans can post their results to their Facebook page, MySpace page, personal blog or website where they can share their results and invite their friends to participate and post their choices. "My Picks" will also feature links to the nominated artists' webpages and iLike profiles. The application was created with the help of Nashville software development company, Firefly Logic.
Performers for the 2008 CMA Awards include Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who are hosting the gala for the first time, Lady Antebellum, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and The Wailers, the Eagles, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban. Reese Witherspoon is the first presenter to be announced. Additional artists and presenters will be added to the lineup and announced at a later date.
Tickets for the 2008 CMA Awards are on sale now and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (615) 255-9600; 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 Bronze-level seating (upper level), $327.75 for Silver-level seating (club level), and $382.50 for Gold-level seating (lower level). All prices include sales tax but exclude applicable service/handling fees.
"The 42nd 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, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2008 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Mary Kay® is the Official Beauty Sponsor of the 2008 CMA Awards. Additional promotional partners include Borders®, Carl Black Chevrolet, Durango Boot®, and Tetley® Iced Tea.
-30-
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.