First Presenters Announced for 'The 43rd Annual CMA Awards'

Love And Theft to Host Pre-Tel Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The excitement is building as the
first group of presenters are announced for "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards,"
hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and airing live from the Sommet
Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC
Television Network.

The first celebrities announced as Awards presenters during "Country Music's
Biggest Night(TM)" are NASCAR superstar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of
ABC's "The Middle" Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton;Julianne Hough; nominee
Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for "Boots On");
nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of the Year); Kellie Pickler; CMA Award winner
LeAnn Rimes; and ABC News's Robin Roberts, co-anchor of "Good Morning America"
and host of the upcoming "Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access
Nashville" ABC television special (airing Nov. 10).

In addition, hot emerging trio Love And Theft will host the Pre-Telecast
Awards, which are given out during the half-hour before the televised event
begins. Among the Awards presented during this time are the CMA Broadcast
Awards, which recognize the Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year in
four categories (small, medium, large, and major market) as well as the
National Broadcast Personality of the Year.

Performers already announced include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny
Chesney and Dave Mathews, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady
Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius
Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban,
and Zac Brown Band, with more to be named soon.

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, located 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway,
in Nashville). Ticket prices begin at $110 for Upper Level. Great Lower Level
seats are also available. 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.

SOURCE Country Music Association

Wendy Pearl or Scott Stem, both of CMA, +1-615-244-2840; Denise Carberry,
PFA-NY, +1-212-334-6116; Lisa Scalzo, ABC-NY, +1-212-456-7109