Vince Gill will be pulling triple duty during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.   Gill will perform the upbeat Christmas classic "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and later join Miss Piggy in a special duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Gill also contributes background vocals to his wife Amy Grant for "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)." Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles ... Read more

Best-selling Contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant will be joined by her husband Vince Gill for a breathtaking performance of “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” during “CMA Country Christmas,” airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.   Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will host the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from “American Idol” runner up Lauren Alaina, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie ... Read more

Country Music star Darius Rucker performs a rockin' version of the Christmas hit "Winter Wonderland" during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles will host the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from "American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Brian Setzer with special ... Read more

The Middle Tennessee State University CMA EDU chapter welcomed Craig Campbell, President of Campbell Entertainment Group, as a guest speaker during last night's meeting. The students received an inside look at the role of a publicist including how an artist's publicity activities are booked and coordinated with the record label and management. Campbell also gave a brief overview of his career in the industry and offered advice to the students ... Read more

Four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride rings in the holidays, with a soaring rendition of "Please Come Home for Christmas" during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles will host the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from "American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, ... Read more

The wildly popular CMA Songwriters Series returned to the Library of Congress' Coolidge Auditorium last night in Washington, D.C. with performances from Clint Black, Patty Loveless, Tim Nichols and host Bob DiPiero. The packed house was filled with Washington dignitaries including Susan H. Vita, Chief of the Library's Music Division. Read more

The iconic CMA Music Festival will once again take over the Downtown Nashville campus for four days this summer, Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10, 2012. The event that USA Today calls "the crown jewel of Country Music festivals" started in 1972 as Fan Fair®. More than 40 years later, the legendary festival has become Nashville's signature music event, which annually attracts thousands of fans from all 50 states and around the globe ... Read more

"American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina will perform "Grown-Up Christmas List" during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.   Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles will host the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer with special guest Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Vince ... Read more

Former CMA Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban will perform an intimate version of "The Christmas Song" during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.   Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles hosts the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from "American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian ... Read more

Tim Nichols, Rivers Rutherford, and Leslie Satcher Join Host Bob DiPiero CMA Songwriters Series once again returns to New York City’s Joe’s Pub, on Sunday, Dec. 18 (6:30 and 9:00 PM/ET). This incredibly popular series gives music fans an inside look at the art of songwriting from some of Nashville’s most talented tunesmiths. Writers participating in this event are Tim Nichols (“Live Like You Were Dying” recorded by Tim McGraw, ... Read more

Reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Sugarland will perform the Christmas classic "Silent Night" during "CMA Country Christmas," airing Thursday, Dec. 1 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. The duo's Jennifer Nettles will host the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from "American Idol" runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian ... Read more

ABC Marks its Top-Rated Wednesday in 2 Years, its Best Performance Any Night This Season and the 2nd-Biggest Non-Sports Number for Any Net on Any Night of Fall ‘11  Up Year to Year with Young Adults, Key Men, Key Women and Teens, ABC’s “CMA Awards” Equals its 2nd-Best Adult 18-34 and Highest Men 18-34 Numbers in 7 Years  “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” (8:00-11:00 p.m.) With its broadcast of “The ... Read more

The Country Music Association has selected Belmont University senior student Bennett Farkas as the recipient of the 2011 CMA Close Up Award of Merit. The award was created in 2007 to honor the student who demonstrated the most creativity, dedication and promise in covering the 2011 CMA Music Festival on assignment from CMA.   Farkas was presented the award during the backstage press conference coverage of "The 45th Annual CMA ... Read more

FOX News Channel entertainment producer Ashley Dvorkin was presented the 2011 CMA Media Achievement Award backstage in the media center during the "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" by CMA Board member and industry publicist Jessie Schmidt.   "It is such an honor to receive this Award from the CMA member publicists," said Dvorkin. "Thank you to everyone involved. It's a true pleasure to work with you, and I'm very proud ... Read more

Two-Hour Special Tapes Tonight at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Featuring Performances by Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Sugarland, Keith Urban and Vince Gill Performs with Miss Piggy! NASHVILLE - Country's biggest stars as well as cross-genre musical innovators come together to celebrate the holidays on "CMA Country Christmas," which tapes in ... Read more

Jason Aldean and The Band Perry Pick Up Two Awards Each; Kimberly Perry Picks Up A Solo Award for Song of the Year; Newlyweds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Named Male and Female Vocalist of the Year It was a night of new victors and returning champions at "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" Wednesday night in Nashville.   Taylor Swift won her second CMA Entertainer of the Year trophy. Newlyweds ... Read more

The New 10-Year Agreement Extends Partnership Through 2021 The ABC Television Network and the Country Music Association have extended their broadcast agreement through 2021 announced ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee and CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. The new agreement assures broadcasts of the CMA franchises including the "CMA Awards," the "CMA Festival: Country's Night to Rock," and the "CMA Country Christmas" for another decade.   "We are thrilled ... Read more

The McClymonts have received the 2011 CMA Global Country Artist Award. The Australian sisters - Brooke, Samantha, and Mollie McClymont - were presented with the honor during the annual CMA International Reception held on Nov. 7 as part of festivities around "The 45th Annual CMA Awards." The Award was presented by CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore.   "Wow, after five months of living here in Nashville, to have picked ... Read more

During the annual CMA International Reception held on Nov. 7 as part of festivities around "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," Ralph Murphy, songwriter, producer and VP of ASCAP Nashville, was given the 2011 Jo Walker-Meador International Award. The Award was presented by CMA CEO Steve Moore.   "The industry has been more than generous with all the Irish, the Canadians, the Norwegians, the Australians, the Dutch, the Germans - everyone ... Read more

ESPN sportscaster and "Good Morning America" correspondent Erin Andrews, actor Josh Dallas (star of ABC's "Once Upon a Time"), 2011 World Series MVP and   St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, actress Ginnifer Goodwin (star of ABC's "Once Upon a Time"), actor Kellan Lutz (star of the "Twilight" movie series and the upcoming "Immortals"), Muppet icon Miss Piggy, Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet (star of ABC's "Modern Family"), actress Emily ... Read more