The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards drew 11.7 million viewers and was the second-highest rated program throughout the full three hours it aired on Sunday, May 18th on CBS - an increase of 26 percent from the previous year.

The show reversed the trend of declining awards show ratings and posted across-the-board increases during a week in which total viewership of the five major networks was 13 percent less than the same time a year ago, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards also had a positive impact on record sales for artists who performed at the event. According to Nielsen Soundscan, Carrie Underwood's sales increased 58 percent, Rodney Atkins' sales increased 73 percent, Miranda Lambert's sales increased 52 percent, Garth Brooks' sales increased 33 percent and Brooks & Dunn's sales increased 19 percent, among others. Sugarland had a 72 percent increase and notched the highest country chart debut of their career at #27 with their current single "All I Want To Do," which they performed live during the show.

The strong performance of the show and increased consumer appetite for country is good news for Dick Clark Productions and the Academy of Country Music, which recently announced an exclusive partnership agreement to develop new concert specials, multiple country music-themed reality and competition series, as well as artist profiles and other programming initiatives that will air on both music-oriented networks and other broadcast and cable networks. The partnership is also developing both repurposed and original country music-themed programming for new media platforms.

"This is a terrific accomplishment, particularly when you consider the current television environment," said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "If viewer erosion from the writer's strike was taken out of the scenario, I think our ratings increase would have been even more significant. At the end of the day, the success of our show this year really demonstrates the appeal of country music and viewer's investment in the format."

Romeo credits the ratings success to the growing popularity of country music, and points to the first-ever fan-voted Entertainer of the Year category as one reason consumers were potentially more engaged this year.

Labels: Academy of Country Music

Great American Country (GAC), the network that gives fans an in-depth look at the Academy of Country MusicAwards, will bring all the great music and touching moments captured in the May 18 telecast to fans to enjoy all over again by exclusively re-airing the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards with the premiere airing Wednesday, June 4, 9 pm/ET.

"GAC has partnered with the Academy of Country Music and Dick Clark Productions for the fourth year in covering all aspects of the ACM Award activities, from the nominations to the post-show excitement,” said Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming, GAC. "The premiere airs during GAC's Fan-tastic week – one of the biggest fan-centric weeks in television - and I cannot think of a more appropriate program for that special week.”

The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and Reba McEntire served as host. In the weeks leading up to the show, GAC sat down with many top nominees, both newcomers and established stars, sharing their excitement and in some cases, pre-show jitters.

In addition to the June 4 premiere, the Awards will also air Thursday, June 5 at 3 pm ET and various times throughout the year.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, GAC

Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year for a fourth straight time Sunday, then promptly took issue with the way the Academy of Country Music awarded the honor: through fan votes.

For the first time in the show's 43 years, the top prize -- traditionally decided by ACM members -- was determined through online voting. With the win, Chesney ties Garth Brooks and trails only Alabama, which won five in a row.

Chesney said immediately backstage that he thought fans should be included, just not by voting for the show's most important award.

"The entertainer of the year trophy is supposed to represent heart and passion and an amazing amount of sacrifice, commitment and focus," he said. "That's the way Garth won it four times, that's the way I won it, that's the way (George) Strait won it, Reba (McEntire), Alabama all those years. That's what it's supposed to represent."

He said his complaint is directed at the industry, not the fans -- and that the method amounted to "complete disrespect" of the artists, saying the academy turned the award "into a sweepstakes to see who can push people's buttons the hardest on the Internet."

COUNTRY ON-DEMAND WILL HAVE FULL COVERAGE OF THE AWARDS. COMPLETE WRAP-UP WILL BE POSTED PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire

The Academy of Country Music today announced that country music superstars Toby Keith, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes will perform during the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards and that Kenny Chesney and George Strait will perform a special live duet for the first time ever. The ceremony honoring country music's top talent and the industry’s hottest emerging talent will be broadcast live from MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 8:00 PM ET on the CBS Television Network.

The Academy also announced that Criss Angel, Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Kaley Cuoco, Sara Evans, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Mates of Emerson Drive, Dr. Phil & Robin McGraw, Randy Owen, John Rich, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker and Trisha Yearwood will make special appearances.

As a special performance, superstars Kenny Chesney and George Strait will perform their duet "Shiftwork" from Chesney's album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. This will be the first time the pair have performed this song live. Both Chesney and Strait are nominated for multiple Academy of Country Music awards, including Entertainer of the Year which fans can vote for at http://www.voteacm.com/.

The artists announced today will join Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Sugarland Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban who were previously announced as performers. Reba McEntire will host the event for the tenth time.

Labels: Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music today announced that country music superstar Garth Brooks will be presented with the first-ever artist bestowed Academy of Country Music Crystal Milestone Award during the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards airing live on CBS television Sunday, May 18th at 8:00 PM live ET. Brooks will also perform a special medley of his greatest hits during the telecast.

The Academy of Country Music Crystal Milestone Award is given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement. This award was originally acknowledged during a presentation in Hollywood last fall celebrating the Record Industry Association of America's (RIAA) special recognition of Brooks' 123 million in unit sales. As the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million sales mark, Brooks has been certified the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history. His most recent release, The Ultimate Hits, has been certified 5 times platinum.

"The Academy wanted to more formally recognize Garth's career achievements and success," said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "We felt the only way to underline his unmatched contribution to the genre of country music was to recognize him on our Awards show."

"The ACM has always taken care of me and my music," said Garth Brooks. "From Gene Weed to Bill and Fran Boyd, the ACM family has been a frontrunner in my career. I am flattered and humbled by what this award means. The fact that they have never awarded it before makes me feel the respect and the faith they have in me as an artist, and I will continue to work my butt off to make sure they are happy with their choice."

Garth Brooks has won a total of eighteen Academy of Country Music Awards throughout his career, including Artist of The Decade in 1998. He has received every accolade the industry can bestow on an artist, including 2 Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, 5 World Music Awards, 12 People’s Choice Awards and 36 Billboard Music Awards, among many others.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Garth Brooks

The Academy of Country Music today announced that for the first time ever music fans can vote for the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award. Starting today, May 1, anyone can vote for Entertainer of the Year nominees Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban or Rascal Flatts by logging on to www.voteacm.com. Fans can vote through the last hour of the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards airing live on CBS television Sunday, May 18th at 8:00 PM live ET. Each Entertainer of the Year nominee is also scheduled to perform.

Chesney leads all ACM nominees with 11 nominations. If he were to win the Entertainer award, it would be his fourth consecutive win in that category. Paisley recently celebrated his 10th No. 1 single, 10 million album sales and 10 years as an Arista Nashville recording artist. Urban, who has built a reputation as a virtuoso guitarist, singer, songwriter and showman, just completed an 11-month World Tour featuring sold-out arenas in Germany, Australia, Canada and the United States. Strait has more No. 1 hits in a single chart format than any other recording artist. Strait's 37th album, Troubadour, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. Rascal Flatts has also been selected as the 2008 recipient of the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award.

Again, fans can vote, starting today, at www.voteacm.com. The show airs live, Sunday May 18th, on CBS at 8E/7C from Las Vegas.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts

The Academy of Country Music and The Home Depot announced today that multi-platinum country music group Rascal Flatts will be the 2008 recipient of the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award, to be presented during the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony honoring country music's best and hottest emerging talent. The show will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, at 8:00 PM live ET on the CBS Television Network.

In its seventh year, the Humanitarian Award recognizes country music artists who serve others, have a generous spirit and help build the dreams of those in need. The members of Rascal Flatts - Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney - were selected by a special blue-ribbon committee comprised of executives in the country music industry as well as local and national philanthropic leaders for their ongoing community service and charitable giving of their time and talent.

"We have been blessed with some incredible successes in our career the past couple of years," said Rooney. "The most rewarding thing for us is the opportunity to give back to our communities. We'd like to thank The Home Depot and the Academy for recognizing us in such a humbling way."

As the recipient of the Humanitarian Award, Rascal Flatts will receive a beautiful crystal trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. during the live CBS telecast. They will also be honored with a playground donated by The Home Depot and the Company's national nonprofit partner KaBOOM!, which envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. The playground will be built by The Home Depot volunteers and community members in the city of Rascal Flatts' choice. Past recipients of the Humanitarian Award include Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy and Reba McEntire.

"The Humanitarian Award embodies the kind of giving spirit that the Academy strives to foster within the industry," said Bob Romeo, executive director of the Academy of Country Music. "The selfless giving to others by artists like Rascal Flatts helps bring that spirit to life, and makes us so proud to be part of the country music community."

"Philanthropy and giving back are embedded in The Home Depot culture and are at the core of the Humanitarian Award," said John Ross, vice president of advertising for The Home Depot. "The members of Rascal Flatts show a true dedication to charitable giving and community service and exemplify the values represented by both The Home Depot and the Academy of Country Music. We are proud to recognize them for their contributions and impact on improving our local communities."

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Rascal Flatts

The Academy of Country Music announced today the return of Reba McEntire as host of the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM EST on CBS.

"I am celebrating my tenth anniversary of hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards," said McEntire. "I'm excited to honor country music's greatest talent at this spectacular awards show."

This year will mark the record tenth time McEntire has hosted the show. She has won 11 Academy of Country Music Awards and has 41 nominations total and holds the record for most wins in the "Female Vocalist of the Year" category.

Her current album, Reba Duets, debuted at the top of the pop and country charts in late 2007 and has already earned a top two single and platinum sales status.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Reba McEntire

The Academy of Country Music announced today that Rascal Flatts will host the 5th Annual Academy of Country Music Celebrity Golf Classic, a fund-raising effort benefitting the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund to be held on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at TPC Las Vegas in Las Vegas.

The event is part of the week's festivities leading up to the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, May 18, 2008 on CBS.

"The Academy feels privileged to have Rascal Flatts host the Academy of Country Music Celebrity Golf Classic for the first time. They are such a dedicated group of artists, who truly understand the value of our charitable fund," David Young, Senior Director of Operations for the Academy of Country Music said.. "It is always a compliment to our cause to work with those who are invested, generous and enthusiastic."

The golf tournament will exclusively cater to a sold out group of 100 golfers at TPC Las Vegas, which is considered the home of professional golf in Las Vegas. The 2008 tournament is sponsored by Complete Logistics and cosponsored by Sound Image. Participating sponsors include PING, the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, MGM Grand, Dr. Pepper and SunTrust Bank and will feature some of country music’s biggest stars hitting the links. Past hosts have included Vince Gill.

The 43nd Annual ACM ceremony honoring country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, 2007 at 8:00 PM ET on the CBS Television Network.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Rascal Flatts

Today the Academy of Country Music is announcing that the 43nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony honoring country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET on the CBS Television Network.

This is the first year the ACM Awards will take place on a Sunday, the third year the show will be based at MGM Grand and the sixth year the show will be held in Las Vegas.

"Las Vegas is an ideal place for the Academy to showcase country music's best and we couldn't be happier to have the show on a Sunday night," said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "We look forward to returning to the MGM Grand for the show. It is truly Country's Night To Shine."

Labels: Academy of Country Music

Garth Brooks has surpassed "the King" Elvis Presley as the top-selling solo artist in history, moving 123 million units in his career.

The Recording Association of America made the proclamation Monday while giving Brooks Diamond Awards for his albums "Sevens" and "Garth Brooks." A diamond award is for sales of more than 10 million copies each. Four of Brooks' albums have received diamond awards.

"This award reflects the magnitude of the country audience and what they can accomplish when they act together," Brooks said at the presentation, held at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame outside the Capitol Records tower.

The RIAA keeps track of albums shipped plus digital downloads sold.

Brooks was also presented the Academy of Country Music's Crystal Milestone Award. This is the first time the award went to the artist. Brooks has won 18 Academy of Country Music Awards throughout his career, including Artist of The Decade in 1998.

Brooks issues his Ultimate Hits, a 3-disc package, tomorrow nationwide, and begins his nine-show run at Kansas City's Sprint Center tonight.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Garth Brooks, RIAA