FIRST PRESENTERS ANNOUNCED FOR "THE 44th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS," WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

"Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)" continues to get bigger as Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Jerrod Niemann, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, Chris Young and NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon are announced as the first group of presenters for "The 44th Annual CMA Awards," airing WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Previously announced performers include Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Underwood and Keith Urban. In addition, special performances will feature Gwyneth Paltrow in her live Country Music singing debut, performing with Vince Gill; top nominee Lambert with Sheryl Crow in a tribute to Loretta Lynn's 50th Anniversary as a recording artist; and Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson.

Bryan received his first CMA nomination this year in the New Artist of the Year category. His current album is Doin' My Thing.

Corbin received his first two CMA nominations this year. He is nominated for New Artist and Single of the Year (for "A Little More Country Than That"). He released his self-titled debut album earlier this year.

Gordon is a racing superstar, having won the NASCAR Cup Series four times, the Daytona 500 three times and the Brickyard 400 four times.

The four members of Little Big Town are Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook, and they are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year. To date, Little Big Town has had a total of eight CMA Awards nominations. Their current album is The Reason Why.

McGraw has won a total of 11 CMA Awards, including Entertainer (2001), Male Vocalist (1999, 2000) and Album (1998 for Elsewhere and 1999 for A Place in the Sun, both of which he co-produced). He will release Number One Hits on Nov. 30.

Niemann received his first CMA Awards nomination this year in the New Artist of the Year category. His current album is Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury.

Pickler has a career total of two CMA Awards nominations. Her current album is Kellie Pickler.

Rimes won the CMA Horizon Award in 1997. She is currently recording a new album to follow up her last release, Family.

Rucker is the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year. His recently released new album is Charleston SC 1966.

The Band Perry received their first CMA Awards nomination this year in the Vocal Group of the Year category. The band, made up of siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry, recently released their self-titled, debut album.

Young received his first CMA nomination this year in the New Artist of the Year category. His current album is The Man I Want to Be.

"The 44th 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.