CMA Awards Present the Best In Country Music

Guest Author - Michelle Snow

Tomorrow's CMA Awards showcase their Nashville roots with the best of the best in Country music.

The Country Music Association (CMA) is the driving force behind the Country Music Hall of Fame and the annual Fan Fair, which draws thousands of country music fans to Nashville every June. So it's no surprise that they also host this annual awards show which fetes the best of the year's artists, songs and albums. Think of it as a Grammy's just for Country music.

This year's show, airing live from the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, will be co-hosted by 11-time "CMA Duo of the Year" award winners Brooks & Dunn, along with multi-platinum vocalist Shania Twain, herself a past winner of the "Entertainer of the Year" from the CMA's.

Leading off the show will be another cross-genre, multi-award winner, Tim McGraw, who will perform his hit, "How Bad Do You Want It." The rest of the performance roster looks to be lifted straight from the top of the Country charts for the year: Clint Black, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson with Patty Loveless, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley with Alison Krauss, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Keith Urban, and Gretchen Wilson. Hosts Brooks & Dunn will also be be performing, as will Twain, who does her current hit duet with Billy Currington.

But don't think the evening is all about the performances. Dolly Parton will be on hand to present the night’s top honor – Entertainer of the Year – which Parton herself won in 1978. Parton is also nominated for her 39th career CMA Nomination - "Musical Event of the Year" - for her performance with Norah Jones on "Creepin’ In."

Country superstar, television and stage actor Reba McEntire, who is nominated for "Female Vocalist of the Year," will host Jim Foglesong’s induction into the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame. Foglesong, an educator and former music industry executive, will be inducted in the "Non-Performer" category, which is awarded every third year. Actor and Country icon Kris Kristofferson is being inducted in the annual "Open" category. Faith Hill and Willie Nelson will perform during Kristofferson’s induction segment. Foglesong and Kristofferson will become the 91st and 92nd members of the Hall of Fame.

Also appearing as presenters will be Pat Green, Randy Travis, Phil Vassar and Darryl Worley, Trace Adkins, Lisa Hartman Black and husband Clint Black (who is nominated in the "Musical Event" category with Jimmy Buffett and friends), Buddy Jewell, Lonestar (nominated for "Vocal Group of the Year"), Joe Nichols, Jamie O’Neal, LeAnn Rimes, SHeDAISY and Blake Shelton.

The show airs live tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST), on CBS. It will run tape delayed on the west coast, due to the time difference. In markets where the CBS affiliate is owned by the Meredith Corporation, Robin Leach (he of the "champagne wishes and caviar dreams") will be hosting a 30-minute live pre-show, beginning at 7:30pm/EST.

I'll be back after the show with a complete list of winners and highlights. In the meantime, check out the CBS official site for the CMA awards list of nominees.