Sneak Peak of Historic Music Video Airs Tuesday, Sept. 20 on “Dancing with the Stars” All Leading Up To “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” Airing Nov. 2 on ABC
NASHVILLE – Reaction to the release of the “Forever Country” single has been immediate and overwhelming as fans respond to the message of life on the road, love for the fans, and the joy of “making music with my friends.”
“Forever Country” is a fresh take on three Country classics: John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Denver, Nelson, and Parton are all former CMA Entertainers of the Year.
“We all thought this music was something special, but to see the reaction from the fans and our friends at Country radio has been so rewarding,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And it is only the beginning, with the companion music video sneak peek on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Tuesday night. Now the fans will not only get to hear these great performances, but see the artists in a dreamlike setting.”
Immediately following the sneak peek on “Dancing with the Stars,” fans will be directed to ForeverCountry50.com to see the full-length version of the music video.
“Forever Country” features 30 CMA Award-winning acts. The single was produced by CMA Award winner and CMA Board member Shane McAnally and the video was directed by Grammy Award-winning director Joseph Kahn.
Following the global roadblock of the “Forever Country” single, which premiered on hundreds of Country radio stations simultaneously on Sept. 16, interest skyrocketed and #ForeverCountry quickly became a top trending topic on Twitter, while the single quickly became a Top 10 on digital retailers, topping the Country sales list.
Fans fell in love:
“#ForeverCountry is incredible! It feels like a love letter to every Country fan out there, young and old,” said Joey Grillo (@JoeyGrillo_).
“#ForeverCountry is everything I love about Country Music in one. This is why I fell in love with the genre so many years ago,” said Alyssa (@alyssaa711).
“Just listened to the first radio play of #ForeverCountry. Such a great mix of voices old and new and a great celebration of Country Music,” said Alastair Clark (@cheesemeister97).
As part of the U.S. radio roadblock, CMA’s radio partners (except for CBS) launched a “Forever Country” sweepstakes allowing fans to enter for their chance to win the “Ultimate CMA Awards Experience.”
The winner of the sweepstakes will be granted two tickets to “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” round trip coach airfare to Nashville, two nights of hotel accommodations, the opportunity to walk the CMA Awards Red Carpet, sit in the Red Carpet fan section, present an official CMA Broadcast Award at the pre-broadcast Awards ceremony, and receive a $250 Visa gift card for food and transportation. Fans can learn more and enter to win at ForeverCountry50.com.
While listeners were getting their first listen across the Country radio universe, ABC’s “Good Morning America” announced the full list of talent for the music video and released a 90-second, behind-the-scenes video teaser on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo.
Universal Music Group Nashville is exclusively partnering with CMA to market and distribute “Forever Country” worldwide. The song is available now at all digital retail and streaming outlet partners. CMA profits from the sales and streaming of “Forever Country” will benefit music education causes through the CMA Foundation.
“The 50th Annual CMA Awards” will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
For more information on “Forever Country” visit ForeverCountry50.com.
For more information on “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” and to sign up for CMA emails and exclusives, visit CMAawards50.com.
