LIONEL RICHIE PERFORMS MUSIC FROM HIS UPCOMING COUNTRY DUETS ALBUM WITH LITTLE BIG TOWN, RASCAL FLATTS AND DARIUS RUCKER, LIVE ON "THE 45th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS," WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 ON ABC

Richie's Highly Anticipated Project, "Tuskegee," to Be Released on March 27, 2012

International music icon Lionel Richie will perform music from his upcoming Country duets album, "Tuskegee," with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker on "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," airing live WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) from the Bridgestone Arena on the ABC Television Network.

The highly-anticipated album will be released on March 27, 2012, on Mercury Nashville.

During the CMA Awards, Richie will perform a medley of classic hits including "Deep River Woman" with Little Big Town, who are nominated for CMA Vocal Group of the Year; "Stuck on You" with Rucker, who was named CMA New Artist of the Year in 2009; and "Dancing on the Ceiling" with Rascal Flatts, who are nominated for CMA Vocal Group of the Year, a trophy they've received six times (2003-2008). Richie himself is no stranger to the CMA Awards stage; in 1984 he performed "Lady" with Kenny Rogers, and in 1986 he performed "Deep River Woman" with Alabama.

Tickets for "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000. "The 45th 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.

For more information on the "CMA Awards," visit http://abc.go.com/shows/cma-awards.