"CMA CLOSE UP PRESENTS ROAD TO THE CMA AWARDS"

Thirty-Minute Special Showcasing 2011 CMA Awards Nominees to Air on Local ABC Affiliates

As excitement builds towards "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," the Country Music Association and the ABC Television Network are giving fans an exclusive sneak peek at "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)." "CMA Close Up Presents Road to the CMA Awards" is a half-hour special packed with artist interviews and highlights from past CMA Awards. The special will air on local ABC affiliate stations between FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 and WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9. Fans should check local listings or visit www.abc.com/cmaawards for exact dates and times in their cities.

Featuring interviews with Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Kristin Chenowith, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Chris Young, "CMA Close Up Presents Road to the CMA Awards" offers fans an opportunity to hear and see these artists' favorite memories from past CMA Awards, as well as to find out what it's like to be nominated and perform for the first time.

This special will air in more than 90 percent of ABC markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Houston, Miami and Nashville. Check local listings for times.

"This special was an incredible success last year," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. "This is a great opportunity to ramp up the excitement for the upcoming CMA Awards and increase awareness in each of these markets."

"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" will air live on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on the ABC Television Network. Paisley and Carrie Underwood return as hosts for their fourth consecutive year. Previously announced performers include Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Shelton, Sugarland, Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Young and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration, "You and Tequila," Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet, "Easy," Lionel Richie performing with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker, and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song, "Remind Me."

"CMA Close Up Presents Road to the CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Sarah Brock with Tigerlilly TV is the executive producer and writer.

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