Carrie Underwood looked stunning...

Carrie Underwood looked stunning in Ryan Haber's "Glamorous" shoes as she hosted the 2011 CMAs.

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CARRIE UNDERWOOD IS FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCED TO PERFORM AT 2012 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

NASHVILLE – The iconic CMA Music Festival will once again take over the Downtown Nashville campus for four days this summer, Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10, 2012. The event that USA Today calls “the crown jewel of Country Music festivals” started in 1972 as Fan Fair®. More than 40 years later, the legendary festival has become Nashville’s signature music event, which annually attracts thousands of fans from all 50 states and around the globe and has raised millions of dollars for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The event will once again be filmed for an ABC Television special airing later in the summer, shining a national spotlight on both the Country Music format and Music City USA.

Five-time CMA Award winner Carrie Underwood is the first artist announced as performing on the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during CMA Music Festival. Underwood has sold more than 13 million albums; has placed 14 No. 1 singles at the top of the charts; won three CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards (2006-2008); and has co-hosted the CMA Awards for the last four consecutive years. After winning “American Idol” in 2005, she made one of her first public appearances at CMA Music Festival, and has been a strong supporter of the event ever since. Underwood last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2010.

Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Carrie Underwood talks skin care

CMA Awards 2011: Promo 1 - Donny & Marie Osmond

CMA Awards 2011: Promo 2 - Miss Piggy

Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley Access Hollwood 10/14/11 HD

Carrie Returns to Host "The 45th Annual CMA Awards"

From CMA...

BRAD PAISLEY AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD RETURN TO HOST “THE 45th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” LIVE FROM NASHVILLE ON ABC TELEVISION NETWORK NOVEMBER 9

NASHVILLE – Country superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, went directly to the fans today via Facebook to announce that they would be returning to host “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” for a fourth time in 2011. “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“We couldn’t ask for better hosts than Carrie and Brad,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They have the unique qualities of humor, talent, credibility, and natural rapport that makes them a hit with the fans and the industry audience. The CMA Awards are in great hands with Brad and Carrie at the podium.”

“Hosting the CMA Awards the past three years has been an incredible experience –I love it,” said Underwood. “I’m so honored to be asked back with my friend, Brad. The creative process of getting ready for the show is a blast, and I look forward to sharing Country Music’s Biggest Night with all the fans!”

“It’s hard to believe this will be our fourth year to host the CMA Awards – it’s such an honor to be invited back,” Brad added. “I love working with Carrie, she’s a class act and a complete balance to my non-class act. I’ll try my best to not mess it up.”

Paisley is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year. He has won 14 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award (now the New Artist Award) in 2000, including Male Vocalist (2007, 2008, 2009) and Album (2006 for Time Well Wasted). He won Musical Event of the Year three times, first in 2004 with Alison Krauss for “Whiskey Lullaby,” second in 2006 for “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Dolly Parton, and a third time in 2009 for “Start a Band” with Keith Urban. He claimed the Vocal Event of the Year trophy in 2001 for “Too Country” with Bill Anderson, George Jones, and Buck Owens and won Music Video of the Year three times, first in 2002 for “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” second in 2004 for “Whiskey Lullaby” (again with Krauss), and third in 2007 for “Online.” He is No. 5 on the list of top CMA Award winners of all time.

Brad Paisley – a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist, and entertainer – has sold more than 12 million albums and has earned 19 No. 1 singles since debuting in 1999. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Paisley’s innovative and entertaining 2010 “H20 World Tour” was ranked No. 1 Country tour for attendance by Pollstar. His 2011 tour, “H2O II: Wetter & Wilder,” continues the success with tour dates across the US, Canada, and also an international trek that includes London's O2 Arena, Dublin, Stockholm, Oslo, and more.

Underwood has received five CMA Awards in her career, including three consecutive wins as Female Vocalist (2006, 2007, 2008), as well as Single of the Year (2007 for “Before He Cheats”), and the Horizon Award (2006). Underwood, who has also won five Grammy Awards, adds hosting the CMA Awards to a jam-packed year which has seen so far her big screen debut in the motion picture “Soul Surfer” and a promotional trip to Australia for the release of PLAY ON: DELUXE EDITION.

Carrie Underwood is one of music’s most powerful vocalists and has amassed more than 13 million in US album sales and has achieved 13 No. 1 hits since her debut CD in 2005. Six of the No. 1 singles were co-written by Underwood. In 2010, she was the top-ranked female Country touring artist of the year for her “Play On Tour,” which performed in over 100 cities for one million fans throughout the US and Canada. Her career achievements include nearly 60 award trophies, including a membership in the Grand Ole Opry.

44th Annual CMA Awards Show

44th Annual CMA Awards Arrivals

Access Exclusive: Carrie Underwood To Open CMA Awards With Keith Urban & Brad Paisley

From Access Hollywood...

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Carrie Underwood will be busy at the CMA Awards on Wednesday - Access Hollywood has exclusively learned that in addition to co-hosting the ceremony, the country star will also be performing twice on Wednesday's big show!

A source exclusively told Access that the country cutie - along with Keith Urban and her co-host Brad Paisley - will open the show with her song, "Songs Like This."

The source also said Carrie will take the stage again to perform her hit, "Mama's Song." Carrie's mother, who stars in the video with the singer's husband Mike Fisher, will be in the audience. However, Mike is not expected to be at Wednesday's show, as he'll be on the road with his pro hockey team, the Ottawa Senators.

Carrie is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for "Play On."

Carrie Underwood CMA Rehearsal Pics

Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley rehearse on Monday, Nov. 8 at the Bridgestone Arena in Downtown Nashville for “The 44th Annual CMA Awards,” which will broadcast live on the ABC Television Network on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 8-11PM/ET, and be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.

>> More Pics

Photos Provided by Country Music Association.

SECOND ROUND OF PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR "THE 44th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"

NASHVILLE - The excitement is building for "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" with today's announcement that Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, George Strait, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban have been added as performers for "Country Music's Biggest Night(tm)." Previously announced performers include Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and the pairing of Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson. "The 44th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Paisley and Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Underwood has won 5 CMA Awards and received two nominations this year, including Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for Play On, which was produced by Mark Bright with one track co-produced by Bright and Max Martin. Underwood has won Female Vocalist three times (2006-2008). Should she win the Female Vocalist category again this year, she would tie McBride and Reba as the top winners in the category with four wins each.

Source: CMA

Your Exclusive Access to CMA Awards Tickets!

From CMA...



We've got your early hook-up for tickets to this year's CMA Awards! Join Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and all your favorite stars for "Country Music's Biggest Night™!"

Starting today, CMA EXCLUSIVE members can order their tickets to "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" happening Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena! Buy now before tickets go on sale nationwide Saturday, Sept. 18.

Choose from four levels of available seating. Order here with your special code: AWD10EXL

Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, LeAnn Rimes to be featured in TV special

From BAM's Blog...


Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and LeAnn Rimes are set to be featured on the ABC TV special “In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville,” which will air on Nov. 9, the night before the CMA Awards on ABC.

In addition to conducting interviews, Roberts will visit the homes of several country stars for the special.

Nominees in seven categories of the 44th Annual Country Music Association Awards were announced today, with Tishomingo native Miranda Lambert leading with five nominations. Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatt and Brooks and Dunn were other stars with Oklahoma ties to receive nominations today.

Lambert and Dierks Bentley will announce the nominees in the remaining five categories Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The 44th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Underwood and Paisley will co-host the event for the third year.

Watch for Carrie on ABC, 9/1

NASHVILLE - Summer gets even hotter when "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" airs Wednesday, Sept. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Singer, songwriter, actor, and 11-time CMA Award winner Tim McGraw serves as host for the annual celebration of America's music.

The special features performances by Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, McGraw, Justin Moore, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band filmed in front of a sold-out audience in June during CMA Music Festival in Nashville at LP Field, home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

Carrie Underwood Returns to host "The 44th Annual CMA Awards"

NASHVILLE - Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood reunite to host "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)" for a third time in 2010. "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Carrie and Brad have done a tremendous job hosting and we are very happy to have them back again this year," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "They have developed a natural rhythm and have a great rapport with the audience - both in the house and our fans watching at home. They each have a great sense of humor and timing, which are two essential ingredients for hosting a live awards broadcast."

"The CMAs are different from any other awards night," said Brad. "You're looking at a roomful of people who love each other. And any new viewer will be pleasantly surprised at what they relate to on the Awards and what they like that they had no idea they would like. For that reason alone, this is the most important night of the year for Country Music."

"It's all about Country Music," said Underwood. "We all live here. This is our community. The CMA Awards are in Nashville, the home of Country Music. It's great to come here and celebrate that every year."

Paisley has won 13 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award (now the New Artist Award) in 2000, including Male Vocalist (2007, 2008, 2009) and Album (2006 for Time Well Wasted). He also won Musical Event three times, first in 2004 with Alison Krauss for "Whiskey Lullaby," second in 2006 for "When I Get Where I'm Going" with Dolly Parton, and a third in 2009 for "Start a Band" with Keith Urban; Vocal Event in 2001 for "Too Country" with Bill Anderson, George Jones and Buck Owens; and Music Video of the Year three times, first in 2002 for "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song);" second in 2004 for "Whiskey Lullaby" (again with Krauss), and third in 2007 for "Online." He is No. 5 on the list of top CMA Award winners of all time.

Paisley is a consummate artist: a singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer. He has garnered three Grammy Awards and has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums, with sales of more than 11 million units. His most recent album, American Saturday Night, was ranked as Time magazine's 2009 No. 1 album of the year in any genre of music. Paisley's most recent No. 1 single, "Water," was his 17th chart topper - the last 13 consecutive. Paisley's innovative and entertaining "H2O World Tour" consistently sells out and will continue through November. His next album, Hits Alive, will include original studio tracks as well as live tracks from his concerts and will be released Nov. 2.

Underwood has received five CMA Awards in her career, including three consecutive wins as Female Vocalist (2006-2008), as well as Single of the Year (2007 for "Before He Cheats") and the Horizon Award (2006). Underwood, who has also won five Grammy Awards, adds hosting the CMA Awards to a whirlwind year which includes headlining over 100 concerts throughout the U.S. and Canada on her critically acclaimed "Play On Tour."

Carrie Underwood has amassed more than 12 million in U.S. album sales since her debut CD in 2005. She's consistently broken new ground by becoming the first American Idol winner to ever achieve 13 No. 1 hits and the first Country Music artist ever to achieve 10 No. 1 singles just on the strength of their first two albums. Her latest single, "Undo It," is the third consecutive chart-topping smash from her Platinum-certified Play On album. The song is one of seven tracks co-written by Underwood for Play On, and it becomes the sixth No. 1 of her career that she has co-written.

Source: Country Music Association

Great pics from the CMA red carpet

I think you'll enjoy some more pics from the CMA red carpet, compliments of News 2's Brad Schmitt...



For the latest entertainment news straight from Nashville, check out Brad at MusicCityTV.com.

Paisley & Underwood Are A Comedy Hit At The CMAs

Country stars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood turned into a hit comedy double act at the Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday night with a rapport that had stars including Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill crying tears of laughter.

>> More at thefox1049.com


Stars React to CMA Wins

Brad, who hosted the show with Carrie Underwood
for the second straight year, felt that the second time around was definitely more comfortable. “We both just had the best time,” Brad smiled. Brad also threw in a humorous one-liner about his Musical Event win with Keith Urban for “Start a Band.” “I really wanted to win that by myself,” he cracked.

>> More at countryweekly.com

The many dresses of Carrie Underwood

Well, folks. Carrie did an amazing job as co-host of the CMA Awards. The show was 3 hours of pure entertainment, thoroughly enjoyable. The chemistry between Carrie and Brad was a joy to behold and their comic timing was impeccable. As far as I'm concerned, Carrie and Brad should be the permanent hosts.


Of course, for any Carrie fan, Carrie's performance of "Cowboy Casanova" was one of the highlights of the evening. What else can I say. Wow, wow, WOW!



And last, but not least, Little Jimmy Dickens feigns a bit of rudeness, Kanye-style.

For dozens more Carrie pics, check out our newly updated CarriePHOTOS gallery!

CMAs - Listen Live Now!

If you're not near a TV or you're on the West Coast (like me) and simply can't wait for the ABC 8pm broadcast, listen live to the audio at WSIX.com!



>> Listen Live