Wednesday, November 10, 2010

It's Country's Biggest Night

The 44th Annual CMA Awards will be presented in Nashville tonight. Viewers will enjoy performances by Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Kid Rock, Reba, George Strait, Sugarland, and others. Gwyneth Paltrow will make her debut on the CMA Awards performing with Vince Gill. Plus, Sheryl Crow and the night’s top nominee Miranda Lambert will perform together in a tribute to Loretta Lynn’s 50th anniversary as a recording artist. Presenters this year include Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, and ABC television stars JoAnna Garcia (Better With You) and Ty Pennington (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition). You can catch the show live on ABC tonight.

What can you expect to see?
- The rumored opening act is Brad Paisley and Keith Urban backing Carrie Underwood while she sings "Songs Like This."
- Dierks Bentley will be using a fog machine during his performance.
- Brad Paisley will debut a new song called "This Is Country Music."
- Multiple costume changes from Carrie Underwood. Last year she had nine dresses, plus an outfit for her performance.
- A visually exciting performance from Sugarland.
- A lot of a slimmed-down Miranda Lambert. She’s performing twice and has nine nominations. (And it’s her birthday. She’s throwing a pizza party after the show.)

And now, some fun facts about the CMA Awards….
- The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. It was not a televised event. Eddy Arnold was named the first Entertainer of the Year.
- The first CMA Award trophy was designed in 1967 by Frank Waggoner. It was crafted in walnut and designed to resemble a “chart bullet.” Today, the trophy is a fine Italian crystal obelisk that is 15 inches tall and 7.5 pounds.
- The first live telecast of the CMA Awards aired in 1969.
- In 1978, the CMA Awards were simulcast on radio for the first time.
- In 1981, the Horizon Award was presented for the first time to Terri Gibbs.
- In 1985, the Music Video of the Year Award was presented for the first time to Hank Williams Jr. for “All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight.”
- In 1991, President and Mrs. George Bush attend the broadcast, hosted by Reba McEntire.
- Sonny James, Bobbie Gentry, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, Mac Davis, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Anne Murray, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood have all served as hosts for the CMA Awards.
- This year is Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s third time hosting the CMA Awards.
- There are 12 categories at the CMA Awards.
- CMA Awards winners are chosen in three rounds of voting.

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