Celebrate Country Music’s Most Anticipated Announcements on “Good Morning America,” ABCnews.com, ABC News Radio, “Live with Kelly and Michael,” and the Opry in Bryant Park
Hosted for the Eighth Time by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” Airs Live Wednesday, Nov. 4 on the ABC Television Network
NASHVILLE – For the first time, the highly-anticipated announcement of the final nominees for “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” will be carried across several ABC properties on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Delivering the news from New York City will be Kelsea Ballerini and Steven Tyler.
“ABC has been the network home of the CMA Awards for the past 10 years and they are a wonderful partner and champion for the format,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our milestone network anniversary and the finalists for Country Music’s Biggest Night™ than to include several of ABC’s premiere news and entertainment outlets in the announcement this year.”
At sunrise, Ballerini and Tyler will be at “Good Morning America” for the announcement of the final nominees in five categories live from the heart of Times Square on the ABC Television Network. The announcements will air in the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour segment of the top-rated morning news program on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
“When I was asked to announce the nominees for the ever-so-prestigious CMA Awards this year, I actually whispered, ‘They really want me?’ I’m just humbled by the open arms of the Country community and am honored to take part in this BIG moment,” said Tyler.
“I’ve grown up watching the CMA Awards and am such a fan of everything CMA does and represents,” said Ballerini. “To be able to announce the nominations for the Awards this year with THE Steven Tyler makes me beyond excited.”
In addition to announcing the finalists, Tyler will perform “Love is Your Name,” his debut single from his upcoming new album to be released early next year.
Following the announcements live on “Good Morning America,” Ballerini and Tyler will announce the remaining finalists at approximately 9:10 AM/ET in several other categories on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo. The Yahoo-ABC News Network is the No. 1 Source for General News online.
The Country takeover doesn’t end there.
Following “Good Morning America” Tyler will visit the set of nationally-syndicated “Live with Kelly and Michael” to talk about his Country project and the newly-announced nominees.
Tyler is the iconic songwriter and prolific voice of the best-selling American rock band, Aerosmith. Tyler is considered one of music’s most recognizable and dynamic frontmen and has been cited by Rolling Stone as “one of the greatest singers of all time.” Tyler and Aerosmith have sold more than 150 million records worldwide, he has won four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and an Emmy Award. In addition to having nine No. 1 one hits, 25 Gold, 18 Platinum and 12 multi-Platinum album certifications, Tyler, along with the rest of his band members were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2013, Tyler was awarded with the Founder’s Award at the ASCAP Pop Awards and was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Tyler is currently working on his highly anticipated solo album with Big Machine Label Group, his first Country single ‘Love Is Your Name’ debuted on May 13, 2015 and garnered nearly 5 million video views in its first week.
While Tyler visits “Live with Kelly and Michael,” Ballerini will be behind the microphone for a special ABC News Radio satellite tour to talk about the Awards nominees and her breakthrough year.
Later in the month, Ballerini will make her late night TV debut on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” when she appears on the program Sept. 30.
Ballerini launched to stardom with the release of her No. 1, Gold-certified debut “Love Me Like You Mean It.” Abuzz with shout-outs from superstars Taylor Swift, Underwood, and Little Big Town, she is the first solo female artist in nine years to hit No. 1 with her debut Country single and one of only 11 women to have ever hit the top of the charts with a debut. Racking up media acclaim, the Black River Entertainment recording artist has been touted by Billboard magazine as “Country’s Next Queen,” praised by Rolling Stone as one of the “10 Artists You Need To Know” from all genres and selected as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country.
Her breakout hit “Love Me Like You Mean It” and catchy new single “Dibs” are featured on her debut album The First Time that landed Top 5 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. Produced by Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey, Ballerini wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs on the project. She is currently on the road playing major festivals, headline club dates and select shows with Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Underwood, and Keith Urban and will join Dan + Shay’s “Just The Right Kind of Crazy Tour” this fall.
After the announcements and radio calls, Ballerini is slated to appear in the Third Annual Bryant Park Concert Series, “Nashville’s New Music in New York,” which is presented by the Grand Ole Opry, Southwest Airlines, and NASH-FM 94.7. She will perform a free acoustic concert at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park with the Opry’s signature microphone stand a replica of the famed circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House.
A group of music educators from CMA Foundation partner Education Through Music (ETM) will also have the chance to attend the special performance as Ballerini’s guests. ETM partners with inner-city schools to provide music as a core subject for all children, and utilizes music education as a catalyst to improve academic achievement, motivation for school, and self-confidence.
“Being a part of so many choirs and music groups through my school growing up really helped me discover my passion for music. Those teachers inspiring and encouraging me is the fingerprint of my career. I am so honored to share today with this special group of educators, CMA, and the Opry,” stated Ballerini.
Following the announcements on “Good Morning America” and ABCnews.com, CMA will release the full slate of 2015 CMA Awards nominees as well as the finalists for CMA’s Broadcast Station and Personality of the Year. Information will be shared as it is announced on CMA’s social platforms and website.
The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by more than 7,400 professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. Winners of “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible members of CMA. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
“The 49th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer and Paul Miller is the Director. The CMA Awards will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
