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Official Awards Website to Launch Twitter Experience; Popular “My Picks” Application Returns; ABC.com, Jake Owen Team Up for “The Countdown To Country Music’s Biggest Night”
NASHVILLE – “Country Music’s Biggest Night™” will be more interactive than ever, thanks to new and returning features on CMAawards.com and ABC.com linked to “The 2009 CMA Awards.” Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” will air Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., on the ABC Television Network.
After the success of CMA’s first “Tweet ‘N’ Greet” during “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock” television special on ABC earlier this year, the bar is being raised with “The CMA Awards Twitter Viewing Party.” Hosted on CMAawards.com, the Microsoft Silverlight-driven Twitter client will feature CMA Awards related tweets, live photos from the Red Carpet, discussion questions, and more. Two Twitter feed columns will feature fans as well as “insiders” that include artists, CMA staff, credentialed media, volunteers, and others as they experience the CMA Awards live and in-person. “The CMA Awards Twitter Viewing Party” will also allow registered Twitter users to tweet directly from the CMAawards.com site and join in the live fan discussion before, during and after the gala.
Available on Facebook and CMAawards.com, “My Picks” once again allows fans to share their choices for “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” top winners. Participants can pick their favorite CMA Awards nominee within each of the six artist-specific categories: Entertainer, Male, Female, Vocal Group, Vocal Duo, and New Artist of the Year. While the “My Picks” results will have no sway on the choosing of the final and official CMA Award winners, fans can post their results to their Facebook page, MySpace page, personal blog or website where they can share their choices and invite their friends to participate and post their choices. “My Picks” will also feature links to the nominated artists’ Webpages and iLike profiles. The application was created with the help of Nashville software development company, Firefly Logic.
“We know our Country fans and viewers want the inside scoop on the CMA Awards, and we want to engage them in compelling and entertaining ways,” said Dan Bowen, CMA Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Communications. “We are excited to provide the online community an opportunity to closely connect with CMA events and with each other.”
As previously announced, ABC.com will once again feature daily behind the scenes Webisodes leading up to “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards.” Hosted by CMA New Artist of the Year nominee, Jake Owen, “The Countdown To Country Music’s Biggest Night” will premiere on Wednesday, Nov. 4 with episodes running through Nov. 12.
Performers for the 2009 CMA Awards include hosts Paisley and Underwood, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Dave Mathews, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, , Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. Announced presenters include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Neil Flynn, Patricia Heaton, Julianne Hough, Randy Houser, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Robin Roberts. Love And Theft will host the Pre-Tel activities. Additional artists and presenters will be announced soon.
Tickets for the 2009 CMA Awards can be purchased by logging on to CMAawards.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.
