ARTISTS’ CHARITIES WIN BIG AT THE “2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS”
04/15/08
NASHVILLE – April 15, 2008 – The biggest winner of the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS is charity as CMT ONE COUNTRY, CMT’s pro-social initiative, will gift $5,000 ($10,000 total in the coveted VIDEO OF THE YEAR category) to the winner(s) in each category’s charity of choice. The AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program emerges as the night’s big winner, garnering a $15,000 donation from three-time winner, Kellie Pickler. Taylor Swift helped secure a $10,000 donation for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with her wins for VIDEO OF THE YEAR and FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR. In total, CMT ONE COUNTRY will award $70,000 on behalf of the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS winners. Visit CMTONECOUNTRY.com to learn more information about the winning artists’ charities.
A complete list of the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS winners and the charities who will receive their donation are below:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $10,000 donation split between St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of Taylor Swift and MusiCares on behalf of video director, Trey Fanjoy
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) on behalf of Trace Adkins
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of Taylor Swift
GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt on behalf of Rascal Flatts
DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to the American Liver Foundation on behalf of Sugarland
USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to the AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program on behalf of Kellie Pickler
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation split between The Philadelphia Soul Foundation on behalf of Bon Jovi and Nashville Humane Association on behalf of LeAnn Rimes
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to the AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program on behalf of Kellie Pickler
SUPPORTING CHARACTER OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (PKD Foundation) on behalf of Rodney Carrington
WIDE OPEN COUNTRY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation split between Thistle Farms on behalf of Alison Krauss and TurtleWill on behalf of Robert Plant
TEARJERKER VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to the AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program of Kellie Pickler
COMEDY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to the Target House at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on behalf of Brad Paisley
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
· $5,000 donation to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Michael Salomon
Hosted by music’s hottest father and daughter, Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS aired live from Nashville’s Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 14 and included performances by Carrie Underwood, Sugarland with Little Big Town and Jake Owen, Brad Paisley with special guest, Hank Williams, Jr., Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn as well as Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. The 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will encore Tuesday, April 15 at 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Saturday April 19 at 9:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 20 at 4:30 p.m. All times listed are ET/PT.
Visit CMT's press-only web site www.cmtmusicawardspress.com
for more information about the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
CMT One Country, CMT's pro-social initiative, was launched in the fall of 2005 to promote civic participation and inspire CMT viewers to take action and bring about important change in their communities. CMT One Country partners include America’s Second Harvest, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Network and the USO (United Service Organizations). Led by Advisory Board members President Jimmy Carter, Maya Angelou and General Colin Powell, whose combined service to America is legendary, CMTONECOUNTRY.com aims to offer tools to help anyone start making a difference immediately. For more information: www.CMTONECOUNTRY.com.
CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 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.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Natasha Powell
615/335-8412
natasha.powell@cmt.com
