GARTH BROOKS TO BE HONORED WITH THE CRYSTAL MILESTONE AWARD AT THE "43RD ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS," TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, SUNDAY, MAY 18 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Brooks Also Set To Perform During The Broadcast

Country music superstar Garth Brooks will be presented with the first-ever artist-bestowed Academy of Country Music Crystal Milestone Award on the 43RD ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sunday, May 18 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Brooks will also perform a special medley of his greatest hits during the broadcast.

The Academy of Country Music Crystal Milestone Award is given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement. This award was originally acknowledged during a presentation in Hollywood last fall celebrating the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) special recognition of Brooks' 123 million in unit sales. As the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million sales mark, Brooks has been certified as the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history. His most recent release, The Ultimate Hits, has been certified five times platinum.

"The Academy wanted to more formally recognize Garth's career achievements and success," said Bob Romeo, executive director of the Academy of Country Music. "We felt the only way to underline his unmatched contribution to the genre of country music was to recognize him on our Awards show."

"The ACM has always taken care of me and my music," said Brooks. "From Gene Weed to Bill and Fran Boyd, the ACM family has been a frontrunner in my career. I am flattered and humbled by what this award means. The fact that they have never awarded it before makes me feel the respect and the faith they have in me as an artist, and I will continue to work my butt off to make sure they are happy with their choice."

Brooks has won a total of 18 ACMs throughout his career, including Artist of The Decade in 1998. He has received every accolade the industry can bestow on an artist, including two Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, five World Music Awards, 12 People's Choice Awards and 36 Billboard Music Awards, among many others.

Brooks joins the list of previously announced performers on the broadcast, including artists Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, as well as Entertainer of the Year nominees Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts. Also, as previously announced, country music superstar Reba McEntire returns to host the show for the 10th time. Additional performers and a list of presenters will be announced shortly.

The 43RD ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is produced for television by dick clark productions. The show is executive produced by R.A. Clark and produced by Barry Adelman. The executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo. Louis J. Horvitz is directing.

RATING: To Be Announced