THE "2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS" STAGE HEATS UP WITH MORE PERFORMERS

Country Favorites Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry and Hank Williams, Jr. To Take the Stage

Host Toby Keith Will Also Perform

First-Time Mainstage Performances for Eric Church and Pistol Annies

NASHVILLE - May 23, 2012 - The star power on the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS stage is getting hotter with the addition of Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry and Hank Williams, Jr. as performers on this year's show. The 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will air live on Wednesday, June 6 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com.

Toby Keith, who was previously announced as host of this year's show with actress Kristen Bell, will return to the stage as the only artist to have performed at every CMT MUSIC AWARDS since its 2002 launch. Also added to the lineup this year are Eric Church and Pistol Annies, both first-time mainstage performers; GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR nominees and fan favorites Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry; and country legends Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr.

Additionally, Luke Bryan is slated to perform on this year's show and will also host the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR SPECIAL premiering Saturday, June 2 at 2:00 p.m., ET/PT. Bryan will present the nominees for the coveted VIDEO OF THE YEAR category in the one-hour special.

Previously announced performers include Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band. Fans can vote online at CMT.com, and on their mobile device at CMT Mobile or the CMT Insider app available on iPhone, iPad and Android now through June 4 to determine the winners. The five finalists for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com, CMT mobile, on the CMT Insider app and via text message throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner.

Michael Dempsey will executive produce the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS alongside director Joe DeMaio. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT.

For more information as it becomes available, follow CMT on Twitter (@FollowCMT), hashtag #CMTawards and become a fan of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS on Facebook.

CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.