REESE WITHERSPOON WILL BE A PRESENTER AT "THE 42ND ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"

Rodney Atkins and Kellie Pickler Will Perform

"Country Music's Biggest Night�" continues to grow as Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is the first presenter announced for "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards." Nominees Rodney Atkins and Kellie Pickler have been added as performers. "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Previously announced performers include co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, along with Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and The Wailers, the Eagles, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.

Witherspoon first appeared on the CMA Awards in 2005, when she co-presented an award with Joaquin Phoenix, her co-star in the Johnny Cash bio picture, "Walk the Line." The actress, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in that movie, has also starred in "Legally Blonde," "Rendition" and "Sweet Home Alabama," among others. Witherspoon, who was raised outside Nashville, will appear next in "Four Christmases," due in theaters on November 26.

Atkins is nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year. Earlier this year Atkins joined Paisley on the "Bonfires and Amplifiers" tour, and more recently completed Brooks & Dunn's "Cowboy Town" tour. His album, "If You're Going Through Hell," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, and spawned four No. 1 singles. Atkins is currently working on a new album that will be released in 2009.

Pickler is nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year. Her self-titled second album recently debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. She is one of only six Country artists to debut their first and second albums at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country Albums Chart in the SoundScan era. Pickler's current single is "Don't You Know You're Beautiful."

"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the producer. Paul Miller is the director. 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.