NASHVILLE – The star-packed lineup for “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” grows even stronger with the announcement today that Dave Matthews will join previously announced performer Kenny Chesney on “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm).”
Other performers already announced include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band. “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Paisley and Underwood, airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Chesney and Matthews will perform “I’m Alive,” which they recorded together for Chesney’s Lucky Old Sun album. The song was originally recorded by Willie Nelson. The Matthews/Chesney duet is the current single from Chesney’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2.
Chesney, the four-time and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year (2004, 2006-2008), is tied with Garth Brooks as the top winner in this category. He has received seven CMA Awards, including Album of the Year in 2004 for When the Sun Goes Down, which he co-produced with Buddy Cannon. This year, he has three nominations: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, and Musical Event with Mac McAnally for “Down the Road.” Chesney has sold more than 25 million albums, achieved 19 No. 1 hits, debuted five albums at No. 1 on the all genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and for the last eight years has sold more than one million concert tickets annually, making him the biggest ticket seller in any genre in this century.
Matthews will be making his debut appearance on the CMA Awards. The singer/songwriter/actor has sold more than 32 million albums as leader of the acclaimed Dave Matthews Band and won three Grammy Awards. Dave Matthews Band’s current album is the Platinum-certified Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart in June. This accomplishment ties them with Metallica as the only bands in chart history to debut five consecutive studio albums at No.1. With over 16 million tickets sold, Dave Matthews Band was named the top-drawing American band in the world by Billboard.
Tickets for the 2009 CMA Awards can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Sommet Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). Ticket prices begin at $110 for Upper Level. All ticket prices include sales tax, but exclude applicable service/handling fees.
“The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
