NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Country
Music Association) - The Country
Music Association and ABC Television Network have announced that "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" will air live Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC from Nashville, Tenn.
"The CMA Awards is 'Country Music's Biggest Night' and is one of the most highly anticipated events for our industry each year," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "It's a night to applaud our best and brightest performers, songwriters, record producers and music video directors. And we are ready to make this the most outstanding Awards broadcast to date."
The CMA Awards moved from September to November Sweeps in 2003 and the placement right before the important holiday retail sales season has been good for the Country Music industry. 2003 also marked the last time the Awards were held on Wednesday. In 2007, the CMA Awards moves back to Wednesday night.
"Some of our highest-rated programs have been on Wednesday and our partners at ABC support the move based on the strength of the CMA Awards and the configuration of the fall lineup," Genovese said. "We all feel that the position at the start of Sweeps on a night that has been successful for us in the past is the right move for the Awards, the industry, and ABC."
The 2006 CMA Awards, held in Nashville during November Sweeps (Nov. 6), ranked behind only the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and GRAMMY Awards during the 2006-2007 season for awards shows among total viewers. With "The 40th Annual CMA Awards," ABC won Monday evening in both total viewers (16.0 million) and adults 18-49 (5.4/13).
"The CMA Awards recognizes the best of our format. Our artists and music resonate with people from all walks of life and that's what makes this 'Country Music's Biggest Night,'" Genovese said.
The eligibility period for the 2007 CMA Awards is July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. All voting for "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" will be conducted online. The first ballot and instructions will be e-mailed June 27 to CMA members in good standing who are eligible to vote. Voting for the first ballot closes at 5:00 PM/CT, July 12.
The second ballot will be e-mailed to CMA members Aug. 8. Voting for the second ballot closes at 5:00 PM/CT, Aug. 22. The final nominees in each of the 12 categories will be announced in late August. The third and final ballot will be e-mailed to CMA members Oct. 9. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends at 5:00 PM/CT, Oct. 23.
The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958.
The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast on NBC television for the first time - making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971 and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005. The CMA Awards is traditionally one of the highest-rated award programs of the year.
"The 41st Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer, Robert Deaton is the Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2007 CMA Awards. Chevy: the Official Ride of Country Music. Additional promotional partners include Crisco, Gibson Guitar, and Greased Lightning Cleaning Products.
