NASHVILLE, TN. (Country
Music Association) - One of the most anticipated announcements at the 2004 CMA Awards Press Conference wasn't just the stellar list of artist nominees, but who would take over hosting duties for "Country Music's Biggest Night" when "The 38th Annual CMA Awards" airs live Tuesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on the CBS Television Network.
After perennial host Vince Gill stepped down in January, just who would host the CMA Awards became one of the most highly discussed and anticipated announcements of the past year, and the decision is now official:
Multi-Platinum, multi-talented duo Brooks & Dunn will host the 2004 CMA Awards with a variety of special guests including music superstar Shania Twain.
"It was going to take someone special to step into this vital, high-profile role. Vince Gill left some big shoes to fill - so, we are thrilled to have two outstanding artists to fill them with Brooks & Dunn," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "They have the perfect combination of humor, artistic integrity, and the respect of the industry. Not to mention they have been on the receiving end of the CMA Awards for more than a decade.
The podium is familiar turf for Ronnie and Kix. We know they will feel right at home and are a perfect fit for the CMA Awards."
"The CMA Awards are a chance to recognize the best music of the past year - and to come together as a community," said guitarslinging singer/songwriter Kix Brooks. "For us, it's all about honoring our peers - and we are honored to have been asked."
"Who wouldn't want to host Country's biggest night?" added rafter-scraping vocalist Ronnie Dunn. "To be able to be a part of bringing all these great acts together - and then sharing it with Country Music fans across the country, that's pretty awesome. So know, we're ready and looking forward to it."
The announcement was made today during the 2004 CMA Awards Press Conference at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn. The invitation-only event followed the announcement of 2004 CMA Awards finalists on the CBS Television Network and CMT. During the press conference, Benson said that in addition to Shania Twain other special guest artists would be announced soon.
"After months of careful consideration, the CMA TV Committee and show executives decided that using other artists anchored by Ronnie and Kix during the three-hour, live primetime broadcast would keep the pacing fresh and exciting for the viewers on the biggest night of the year for Country Music," Benson said. "And it will give a larger number of artists access and exposure to a vast network audience leading into the important fourth-quarter record sales season."
Brooks & Dunn have been in the Grand Ole Opry House collecting CMA Awards every year since Vince Gill began his unprecedented, 12-year stint as host of the CMA Awards. It was that year - 1992 - that Brooks & Dunn were not only nominated for the Horizon Award and Album of the Year for their sextuple Platinum debut 'Brand New Man,' in addition to winning their first of 11 Duo of the Year Awards. Consistently recognized for Single, Song, Album and Video of the Year, the 27-million selling pair also won the prestigious CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1996.
"They have the talent, longevity and humor to pull off a job that is a lot harder than it looks," said Robert Deaton, who chairs CMA's TV Committee. "These guys are consummate entertainers, but at the heart of what they do is a respect for the Awards and the entire artist community."
Twain was named CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1999. Her most recent album 'Up!' has earned Diamond (10X Platinum) album sales certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. In fact, she is the only artist in history to have three consecutive 10x Platinum certified albums with 'The Woman In Me' (12X Platinum) and 'Come On Over' (19X Platinum) rounding out the list.
More than 40 million viewers watched all or part of the 2003 CMA Awards sweeps broadcast (12.8/20), making it the No. 3 show of the week - the highest CMA Awards ranking since 1992.
"The 37th Annual CMA Awards" delivered its best ratings since 1997 in households, 1996 in viewers, 1998 in adults 25-54, and 2000 in adults 18-49.
While the broadcast experienced spikes in many key demographics, including adults 25-54 and adults 18-49, perhaps the greatest barometer of the show's success came in the form of album sales. All performers on the Awards saw sales increases (as did many presenters, nominees and Award-recipients).
According to Nielsen SoundScan, the increase in CD sales for artist appearing ranged from 10 to 170 percent, proving the far-reaching impact of the CMA Awards.
The industry professional members of the Country Music Association vote to determine CMA Awards nominees and winners. The CMA Awards are produced by Walter C. Miller, directed by Paul Miller and scripted by David Wild. MJI Programming, a division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, which includes Red Carpet coverage and a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event.
