Country Music puts its best boot forward tonight:

Icons, legends, international superstars, divas, newcomers and stalwarts will perform and appear during "The 36th Annual CMA Awards," broadcast live Wednesday, Nov. 6 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on the CBS Television Network from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn.

In 2001, more than 38 million people tuned in to watch the CMA Awards. The Awards tied in households and won the night in viewers on a very competitive night during fall sweeps. So, how do you follow that kind of success?

"Again we are focused on the music," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "Extra attention is being paid not only to what the show looks like, but how it sounds, so that we can deliver to the many millions of viewers a true representation of the extraordinary artists we have in Country Music."

New to the lineup for the CMA Awards are presenters Loretta Lynn, Trace Adkins, Steve Azar, Richie McDonald of Lonestar and Marty Roe of Diamond Rio. Presenting Awards prior to the broadcast are John Michael Montgomery and Chris Cagle.

Loretta Lynn has been a staple of Country Music since the 1960s. The Kentucky-born singer and songwriter won her first CMA Award at the inaugural celebration in 1967 when she was named Female Vocalist of the Year, a prize she has been nominated for a total of 12 times and claimed again in 1972 and 1973. Lynn was the first woman to ever win the CMA Entertainer of the Year Award when she took the honor in 1972.

A three-time CMA Award nominee, Trace Adkins recently hit the road with Horizon nominee Darryl Worley on the "Big Men of Country Tour." Adkins' latest Capitol Nashville album Chrome, includes his No. 1 hit "I'm Tryin.'"

Steve Azar released his first Mercury Nashville album, Waitin' On Joe in April. Riding the success of his Top 5 lead single "I Don't Have To Be Me ('Til Monday)" Azar will present an Award on Wednesday night.

page 1 | 2