Paisley & Underwood to Host CMA Awards

The reigning CMA Male and Female Vocalists of the Year, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, will reunite to host The 43rd Annual CMA Awards. This will be the second consecutive time that Paisley and Underwood have hosted Country Musics Biggest Night(tm). The 43rd Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, November 11 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. I am thrilled to get the chance to co-host the CMAs for a second time with my pal, Carrie, said Paisley. This year well pull out all the stops, like a miniature poodle balancing act, tightrope walking, and a new world record for the number of costume changes by my co-host. Dont miss it! I regret to inform Brad that I do not have a poodle, and I would appreciate it if he asks me permission before he tries on all my dresses this year, responded Underwood. But all kidding aside, Im really excited to be hosting again this year with Brad, as we celebrate another wonderful year of Country Music! Its going to be a great show! Paisley has won 11 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award in 2000, including Male Vocalist (2007, 2008) and Album (2006 for Time Well Wasted). He also won: Musical Event twice, first in 2004 with Alison Krauss for Whiskey Lullaby, and the second time in 2006 for When I Get Where Im Going with Dolly Parton; 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 Im Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin Song); the second time in 2004 for Whiskey Lullaby (again with Krauss), and third in 2007 for Online. He is currently tied with Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw at No. 5 on the list of top CMA Award winners. A consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, Paisley has earned three Grammy Awards. He has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums that have accumulated sales of over 10 million units, including the Double Platinum-certified Time Well Wasted. His most recent album, American Saturday Night, was released on June 30 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboards Top Country Albums sales chart. He has 14 No.1 singles - the last 10 consecutive - extending a streak already unmatched by any other Country artist in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS-monitored airplay. He is also a featured performer on CMA Music Festival: Countrys Night to Rock, airing Monday, August 31 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Underwood has received five CMA Awards in her young 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). After wrapping her 2008 concert tour with 1.2 million fans in attendance, she launched into 2009 as the first Country artist in history to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from her first two albums; I Told You So became her 10th single to top a key sales or airplay chart and her fifth consecutive chart-topper from Carnival Ride. To date, Underwood, who has also won four Grammy Awards, is the U.S. best-selling American Idol winner, with album sales over 10 million. She will release a new album on Nov. 3 on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville with producer Mark Bright, who helmed 2007s hit-filled Carnival Ride, as well as seven tracks (including four No. 1 singles ) from Underwoods blockbuster 2005 debut, Some Hearts. The 43rd Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer. Paul Miller is the director. David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABCs selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.