ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC & CBS TELEVISION ANNOUNCE 44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSICAWARDS HOSTED BY REBA McENTIRE WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2009 ON CBS



ARTIST OF THE DECADE SPECIAL HONORING GEORGE STRAIT
TO BE TAPED AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009 TO BE BROADCAST AT A LATER DATE ON CBS

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TICKETS TO BOTH OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC EVENTS
TO GO ON SALE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2008!


ENCINO, CA (October 30, 2008) - Country Musics Party of the Year the 44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS honoring country music's top talent and the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. In addition, the Academy is announcing the ARTIST OF THE DECADE SPECIAL Honoring George Strait will be taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, April 6th, 2009 to air at a later date on the CBS Television Network.

Music, film and television legend Reba McEntire will host the 44th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS for the 11th time. She has won 11 Academy of Country Music Awards including the first-ever annual Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award for her outstanding philanthropic work. This is the second year the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS will take place on a Sunday, the fourth year the show will be based at MGM Grand and the seventh year the show will be held in Las Vegas.

"King of Country" George Strait will receive the Academy's ARTIST OF THE DECADE award in recognition of his record-breaking career which spans nearly 25 years. Only four other acts have been honored as ARTIST OF THE DECADE in the Academy's history, including Marty Robbins in 1969, Loretta Lynn in 1979, Alabama in 1988 and Garth Brooks in 1998. Strait has won 19 Academy of Country Music Awards including Entertainer of the Year in 1990. Strait holds the record for the most Number One hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and currently has 55 number one singles to his credit. His current album, Troubadour is certified gold.

"We are thrilled that Reba is back to host and that George will be honored with this milestone award," said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "The Academy and Dick Clark Productions are committed to bringing the best in country music entertainment to fans in their own homes in 2009-both shows are not-to-be-missed events!"

Tickets for both events go on sale on Thursday, November 6th. For event and ticket information, room packages and availability for both the 44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and ARTIST OF THE DECADE SPECIAL Honoring George Strait, log onto www.acmcountry.com. Country fans may sign up for ACM associate membership at www.acmcountry.com to receive a discounted room rate at the MGM Grand, while rooms are available.

About the Academy of Country Music
Founded in 1964, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC is an artist and industry-driven organization, providing the financial resources to ensure the on-going philanthropic work of the ACM Charitable Fund (ACMCF). The ACMCF supports music-related humanitarian programs that facilitate healing through music. The Academy is comprised of more than 4,500 professional members and more than 40,000 associate members and is headquartered in Encino, Calif. For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC and the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, or the ACMCF, please visit www.acmcountry.com and www.acmcf.org, respectively.

About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 44th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by Dick Clark Productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark

Don't forget to go out and get Reba's new 3 disc boxed set "Reba 50 Greatest Hits". As a special treat I made a very special podcast just for the release of this album. I hope y'all enjoy it!

I've just posted a new Reba PodCast on ITunes. Be sure to check it out!

Congratulations to Reba for being named in Country Weekly's "Country's Most Beautiful Women". Reba came in this year at #7!

Reba will appear on Barry Manilow's new CD "The Greatest Songs Of The Eighties." In it, Reba does a duet with Barry Manilow singing "Islands In The Stream" originally done by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.
Look for the new CD to hit stores November 25!

Congratulation to Reba who is nominated for an American Music Award in the "Favorite Female Artist - Country Music" category. Do your part and vote for Reba at http://www.amavote.com/.
Good luck Reba!

Reba was honored at the 46th ASCAP award with the Golden Note award for all her contributions during her impressive career. Many of Reba's closest friends performed some of her biggest hits. Brooks & Dunn performed "For My Broken Heart", LeAnn Rimes performed "I'm A Survivor" and Kelly Clarkson sang "Why Haven't I Heard From You." Lastly, Reba herself got up on stage and performed an oldie, "You Lift Me (Up To Heaven). Congratulations Reba!

By: Margy Holland

Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, and Taylor Swift will grace the November cover of Redbook magazine and appear in Lifetime Television Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to encourage millions of women to vote. The cover feature and PSAs, called "Vote (For Your) Country" is part of Lifetime's and Redbook's nonpartisan, year-long Every Woman Counts campaign to get women involved in the political process.

The PSAs will air on Lifetime through the November 4th presidential election, while the special Redbook issue will be on newsstands beginning on Tuesday (October 14th).

Swift said, "The first thing I did this year on my 18th birthday was register to vote. I was still in my pajamas and I got on my computer and registered. It was so cool and empowering. I felt this sense of responsibility that I've never felt before -- I actually had a say in the political decisions of my country."

McEntire said, "There are people in foreign countries who stand in line all day just to be able to vote, and when people here take it for granted, I think it's a shame. If you have a gripe, you have the right to voice it and try to fix it by voting."

McBride added, "I sang the national anthem at the first Monday Night Football game after 9/11. I will never forget hearing 70,000 Americans who were as hurt, confused, and proud as I was sing the words. The compassion, faith, strength, and determination I saw in that time of fear and uncertainty changed the way I view this country forever."

Other artists featured in the PSAs and the Redbook photo spread include Rodney Atkins, Clint Black, Sarah Buxton, Jewel, Julianne Hough, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Rissi Palmer, Shedaisy, Sugarland, Wynonna, and Trisha Yearwood.

Look for Reba, Taylor Swift, & Martina McBride to grace the November issue of Redbook set to hit your local stands October 14!

The Grand Ole Opry is currently having an online voting on which country artist you think should be president! Vote for Reba here!

Reba is doing her part to help spread the word about voting! Reba says, "As country artists, we sing about everyday people's lives. It's those people and their stories that are the heart and pride of our country."

Reba just recently did a photo shoot for Redbook and Lifetime Television. It's also being reported that Reba will be releasing a new studio album in early 2009!

Courtesy of Redbook.

Congratulations to Reba & Kenny Chesney who won Best Duo Of The Year from the French Country Music Awards for their song "Every Other Weekend."

After 2 long years we are getting the 5th season of Reba on DVD.

Mark your calendars for January 13, 2009 as all 22 episodes will be released on DVD!