THE "41ST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS" COUNTRY'S NIGHT TO SHINETM TO TAKE PLACE TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2006 AT A NEW VENUE, MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS

Three-Hour Entertainment Special to be Broadcast Live on the CBS Television Network

The Academy of Country Music today announced that the 41ST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS ceremony, honoring country music's top performers as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Tuesday, May 23, 2006 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

This is the fourth year the Academy of Country Music Awards will take place in Las Vegas, and the first year that the show will be based at MGM Grand.

"The Academy has enjoyed a lot of success in Las Vegas, and we're thrilled to move to a larger venue to accommodate the overwhelming response we've received," said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "With approximately 4,000 more seats opening up this year for fans and industry, May 23, 2006 truly will be Country's Biggest Party of the Year�."

"We look forward to hosting the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand," said Richard Sturm, President and COO for MGM Mirage Entertainment and Sports. "MGM Mirage has hosted many successful awards shows over the past 10 years, and we anticipate another sensational evening for the country music industry and its fans."

The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 with a mission to support, promote and enhance the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The Academy, which is comprised of more than 3,800 professional members and a newly established Associate Membership, is headquartered in Burbank, Calif. For more information on the 41ST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and the Academy of Country Music, please visit www.acmcountry.com.

The 41ST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is produced for television by dick clark productions. The show is executive produced by Dick Clark and R.A. Clark, and produced by Barry Adelman. The executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo, and the executive in charge is Fran LaMaina.