FINAL NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR “2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS” WITH MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION VOTES CAST BY FANS AT CMT.COM.
03/15/06
Faith Hill Leads with Most Nominations, But Still Is a Close Race As Votes Are Spread Evenly Among Country's Top Stars. The Fifth Annual CMT MUSIC AWARDS Premiere Live on Monday, April 10
NASHVILLE – March 15, 2006 – Country superstars and fiery newcomers make strong contenders in the race for top honors at the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, it was announced today at a press conference hosted by multi-platinum artist Trace Adkins and singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert. More than 1.2 million votes were cast at CMT.com to determine the finalists for the genre’s only fan-voted awards show. The 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere live from The Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville on Monday, April 10 at 8 p.m., ET.*
Faith Hill leads with four nominations, three of which also include husband Tim McGraw for their video “Like We Never Loved At All,” which is up for Video, Collaborative and Video Director of the Year. Hill’s “Mississippi Girl” rounds out her total nominations for Female Video of the Year. Also on top with three nominations each are McGraw, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney. Country newcomers make a strong debut in the 2006 nominations lineup as well, with first time nods for Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland and Little Big Town.
No CMT Awards show would be complete without a few surprises, and this year is no exception as Hollywood stars make the list for Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon’s rendition of the Johnny Cash and June Carter duet “Jackson.” In addition, Bon Jovi brings a little rock flair to the list for his duet “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” which features Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles.
Fans can vote online at CMT.com through April 7 to determine the winners in each category. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced during the live awards telecast, and voting held online at CMT.com throughout the show.
For a full list of nominees click on “Final Nominees.”
CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 80.9 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at www.cmt.com.
*EDITORS: The 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere LIVE on Monday, April 10 at 8:00 p.m., Eastern and 7:00 p.m., Central; and at 9:00 p.m., Mountain and 8:00 p.m., Pacific (tape delayed).
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PRESS CONTACT:
Amanda Murphy 615-335-8408 amanda.murphy@cmt.com
Cindy McLean 615-335-8404 cindy.mclean@cmt.com
