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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CMA Awards Website) - For the first time ever, Female Vocalist of the Year nominee
Dolly Parton will perform with pop/jazz/folk singer
Norah Jones on "The 37th Annual CMA Awards" on Wednesday, Nov. 5 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST). The event airs live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. on the CBS Television Network. The duo will perform "The Grass Is Blue," a Parton song recorded by Jones for the upcoming Just Because I'm A Woman: The Songs of
Dolly Parton tribute album. This is the second unique pairing of artists set to perform on this year's CMA Awards; recently it was announced that reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year
Alan Jackson and
Jimmy Buffett will open the festivities with their first televised performance of their massive hit duet "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere."
"Once again, 'The CMA Awards' is the place for music fans to experience these rare, once-in-a-lifetime performances from their favorite artists," said CMA Executive
Director Ed Benson. "The unique combinations of Dolly & Norah and Alan & Jimmy will create those exciting magical moments that 'The CMA Awards' have become known for and music fans love."
Also adding their own special performance magic to "Country Music's Biggest Night " are Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Patty Loveless.
Brooks & Dunn have received 12 CMA Awards since 1992, including Entertainer of the Year in 1996 and an unprecedented ten wins as Vocal Duo of the Year (1992-1999; 2001-2002). This year they are nominated in four categories: Entertainer; Vocal Duo; and Song and Music Video of the Year for "Red Dirt Road."
Kenny Chesney is nominated for two CMA Awards this year: Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year. Billboard named Chesney's tour the Top Country Tour of 2002 while Pollstar declared that he was the top ticket seller among tours of any genre for the first quarter of 2003.
Norah Jones' multi-platinum-selling album Come Away With Me features her rendition of the classic Hank Williams song "Cold Cold Heart." She has also been a featured guest on two recent live Willie Nelson albums: Stars & Guitars and Live And Kickin'.
Patty Loveless has previously won five CMA Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year in 1996. She is nominated in that category again this year.
Dolly Parton has collected eight CMA Awards since receiving her first in 1968 for Vocal Group of the Year with duet partner Porter Wagoner. Her most recent CMA Award came in 1996 for Vocal Event of the Year for her duet with Vince Gill on "I Will Always Love You."
"The 37th Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network Wednesday, Nov. 5 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST). All-time leading CMA Award winner Vince Gill will host the gala event for the 12th consecutive year. Gill has received 18 CMA Awards since his first in 1990.