Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley to host CMA Awards
Brad Paisley, right, and Carrie Underwood perform a tribute to Eddy Arnold at the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in May in Las Vegas. The pair have been tapped to host another country music awards show: They will host the 42nd Annual CMA Awards Nov. 12 in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press photo)
In the past few years, Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood has found success as a reality TV contestant, a hitmaking singer, a songwriter and a tour headliner. Now, she is getting the chance to add awards show host to her resume.
Underwood and Brad Paisley, the reigning CMA female and male vocalists of the year, will host the 42nd Annual CMA Awards, the Country Music Association announced today.
It is the first time either one of them has hosted the show, according to the news release. The CMA Awards will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 12 on ABC.
“I am so excited to host a show I grew up watching, and am so thrilled to spend this night with the fans and Brad,” Underwood said in the release. “It’s going to be a party!”
The Checotah-raised star toured with Paisley in 2006, and the two became fast friends. They also are both members of the Grand Ole Opry. They teamed last year to record the duet “Oh Love” for Paisley’s 2007 album, “5th Gear.”
“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to host the awards show,” Paisley said in the release. “We’re going to have a good time – start to finish.”
Tammy Genovese, CMA chief executive officer, said in the release that Underwood and Paisley are well-suited to the hosting duties.
”We are excited to have our reigning male and female Vocalist host the CMA Awards this year,” she said. ”In addition to their musical talent, Brad’s quick wit and Carrie’s gracefulness will serve them well in this role. CMA is happy to offer both of them their first opportunity to host a nationally televised network awards show. ”
In addition to hosting, Underwood and Paisley will perform on awards show. Other performers confirmed for the event include Brooks & Dunn (which includes Tulsan Ronnie Dunn), Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. More performers are expected to be announced soon.
The pair also will be competing for awards during the show.
Underwood received two nominations, female vocalist and album of the year for her sophomore release, ”Carnival Ride.” It is her first nomination in the album category; the album features four songs she co-wrote and was produced by Mark Bright.
The 2005 “American Idol” winner, Underwood has earned nine career CMA nominations since her first in 2006. She has won a total of four CMA Awards, including back-to-back female vocalist honors in 2006 and 2007. She also received the Horizon Award for rising stars in 2006 and single of the year for “Before He Cheats” in 2007.
Paisley has four nominations going into this year’s awards show, including entertainer; male vocalist, which he won last year; song for “Letter to Me,” which he penned; and music video of the year for “Waitin’ on a Woman,” co-starring Andy Griffith and directed by Jim Shea and Peter Tilden.
Since 2000, the country star has won nine CMA Awards, including Horizon (2000); male vocalist (2007); and album of the year for “Time Well Wasted” (2006). He has won the musical event prize twice, in 2004 with Alison Krauss for “Whiskey Lullaby” and in 2006 for “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Dolly Parton. He also won vocal event in 2001 for “Too Country” with Bill Anderson, George Jones and Buck Owens.
In addition, Paisley has dominated the video of the year category, winning three times: in 2002 for “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song);”in 2004 for “Whiskey Lullaby” (again with Krauss), and in 2007 for “Online.”
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.
-BAM
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