October 9, 2003

TOP NOMINEE TOBY KEITH, MARTINA MCBRIDE, GEORGE STRAIT AND SHANIA TWAIN TO PERFORM ON "THE 37TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS," LIVE FROM THE GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE IN NASHVILLE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Leading CMA Award nominee Toby Keith, Martina McBride, George Strait, and Shania Twain will all perform on THE 37TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS, live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 5 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET; delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. All-time leading CMA Award winner Vince Gill will host for the 12th consecutive year.

Toby Keith is nominated this year for seven awards: Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for Unleashed; and Song, Single, Music Video and Vocal Event of the Year for "Beer For My Horses," a duet with Willie Nelson. Keith is also eligible to win two additional awards in the Single and Album of the Year categories as co-producer.

Reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride is nominated again this year in the same category. She won her first CMA Female Vocalist award in 1999.

George Strait is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year. Strait has received 71 CMA Award nominations -- more than any other artist -- and has won 15 times.

Shania Twain, who appeared on the 2002 CMA Awards for the first time after a three year hiatus, will be performing on the special again this year.

Previously announced performers are Alan Jackson with Jimmy Buffett, Dolly Parton with Norah Jones, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Patty Loveless.

THE 37TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the producer. Paul Miller will direct the special from a script by David Wild.

RATING: To Be Announced

• * *

Press Contacts: Beth Feldman            CBS     212/975-3183 bstollerfeldman@cbs.com
                Susan J. Marks  CBS     323/575-2118 susan.marks@tvc.cbs.com
                Wendy Pearl             CMA     615/664-1627
                Scott Stem              CMA     615/664-1625