CMT AND BELMONT UNIVERSITY PRESENT AN “INSIDER’S VIEW” FOR THE “2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS”
03/25/08
2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR Nominees Chuck Wicks and Luke Bryan will Provide an Inside Look At the Music Industry to Students
NASHVILLE – March 25, 2008 – CMT will be participating in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business’ "The Insider's View" seminar series on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m., CT in honor of the upcoming 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS. This special one-hour seminar, open to Belmont students, features artists Chuck Wicks and Luke Bryan who are both nominated for 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR.
“The Insider's View,” held on Belmont's campus in the Massey Performing Arts Center, is an informal forum that gives Curb College students an all-access pass to the inner workings of the entertainment and music industries. Wicks and Bryan will be discussing their experiences in the music industry with moderator, Harry Chapman, and will be taking questions from the audience.
RCA Nashville recording artist Chuck Wicks has garnered his first 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS nomination for USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR for his Top 5 hit, “Stealing Cinderella,” from his debut release, Starting Now. The video was directed by Kristin Barlowe. Wicks grew up on a family farm in Smyrna, Delaware and moved to Nashville 5 years ago to concentrate
on songwriting and pursue a career in music. Starting Now showcases Wicks’ vocal talent and the versatility of his songwriting.
Produced by Monty Powell and Dann Huff, the result is a compelling debut, a collection of songs that demonstrate a depth of artistry not usually found on a first album. Wicks’ debut single, “Stealing Cinderella,” was the fastest rising single from a debut artist in 2007 and Wicks is the first new artist to break the Top 5 in 2008. Also, after a hugely successful run as the opening act on the final leg of Brad Paisley’s Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour earlier this year, Paisley announced that Wicks will be back on the road touring with him this summer on the Hershey’s Presents: The Paisley Party.
Luke Bryan, Capitol Records’ hottest new recording artist, hails from Leesburg, Georgia. Luke heads in to 2008 with not only a 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR nomination, but also his first nomination from the Academy of Country Music for “Best New Male Artist.” The Georgia native is coming off a No. 2 debuting album I’ll Stay Me; a Top 5 debut single “All My Friends Say;” a multiple-week No. 1 single he wrote for Billy Currington, “Good Directions,” being chosen as Billboard’s 2007 country artist to watch and landing on “Best of 2007” lists for: Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Clear Channel Online Music & Radio to name a few. Bryan’s star continues to rise as he has been given the opportunity of a lifetime for a new artist being invited to be part of three major tours of country music’s biggest artists this year. Since January, Bryan has been opening for Trace Adkins’ “American Man” tour and Dierks Bentley’s “Throttle Wide Open” tour, and will be part of some of Kenny Chesney’s “Poets & Pirates” stadium dates this summer.
Hosted by music’s hottest father and daughter, Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS air live from Belmont’s Curb Event Center in Nashville on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT* on CMT and CMT.com. Including performances by Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn with a special performance by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS continues to be the genre’s only fan-voted awards.
Visit CMT's press-only web site www.cmtmusicawardspress.com for more information about the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS and media credentialing.
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.
Belmont University, host of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, is a fast-growing community of nearly 4,800 students who come from almost every state and more than 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. Our purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 12 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
*EDITORS: The 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere LIVE on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 PM, Eastern and 7:00 PM, Central; and at 9:00 PM, Mountain and 8:00 PM, Pacific (tape delayed).
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Cindy McLean 615.335.8404 cindy.mclean@cmt.com
Natasha Powell 615.335.8412 natasha.powell@cmt.com
