Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and Billboard 200 Album Chart (Top 10 Single and Albums in the USA): Gotye feat. Kimbra takes the #1 spot for singles and Carrie Underwood takes the #1 spot on the album charts (Issue Date: May 26, 2012)

The following are the top 10 songs in the United States from the Billboard Hot 100 Music Charts:

NOTE: Gotye at #1, Maroon 5 at #2, fun. feat Janelle Monae at #3

1. Gotye feat. Kimbra – Somebody that I Used to Know
2. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa – Payphone
3. fun. feat. Janelle Monae – We Are Young
4. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
5. Flo Rida feat. Sia – Wild Ones
6. Nicki Minaj – Starships
7. One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
8. The Wanted – Glad You Came
9. Justin Bieber – Boyfriend
10. Train – Drive By

The following are the top 10 albums in America from the Billboard 200 Album Charts:

NOTE: Carrie Underwood at #1, Adele at #2 and Lionel Richie at #3

1. Carrie Underwood – Blown Away
2. Adele – 21
3. Lionel Richie – Tuskegee
4. Various Artists – NOW42
5. Norah Jones – …Little Broken Hearts
6. Silverspun Pickups – Neck of the Woods
7. One Direction – Up All Night
8. Jack White – Blunderbuss
9. Tank – This is How I Feel
10. Luke Bryan – Tailgates & Tanlines

Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and Billboard 200 Album Chart (Top 10 Single and Albums in the USA): Gotye feat. Kimbra takes the #1 spot for singles and Carrie Underwood takes the #1 spot on the album charts (Issue Date: May 19, 2012)

The following are the top 10 songs in the United States from the Billboard Hot 100 Music Charts:

NOTE: Gotye at #1, fun. feat Janelle Monae at #2 and Maroon 5 at #3.

1. Gotye feat. Kimbra – Somebody that I Used to Know
2. fun. feat. Janelle Monae – We Are Young
3. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa – Payphone
4. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
5. Flo Rida feat. Sia – Wild Ones
6. The Wanted – Glad You Came
7. Nicki Minaj – Starships
8. Justin Bieber – Boyfriend
9. One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
10. Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)

The following are the top 10 albums in America from the Billboard 200 Album Charts:

NOTE: Carrie Underwood at #1, Norah Jones at #2 and NOW42 at #3

1. Carrie Underwood – Blown Away
2. Norah Jones – …Little Broken Hearts
3. Various Artists – NOW42
4. Adele – 21
5. B.o.B – Strange Clouds
6. Lionel Richie – Tuskegee
7. Jack White – Blunderbuss
8. One Direction – Up All Night
9. Smash Soundtrack
10. Marilyn Manson – Born Villain

GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER CARRIE UNDERWOOD TO PERFORM “LIVE ON LETTERMAN” WEBCAST, MONDAY, APRIL 30

Performance to Precede the Release of Her New Album, Blown Away

CBS Interactive Music Group’s award-winning concert webcast series, LIVE ON LETTERMAN, will showcase country music superstar and multiple GRAMMY® Award winner Carrie Underwood in a live webcast concert from the world-famous Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, Monday, April 30 (8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PT).

Underwood will play music from throughout her career, including her newest single, “Good Girl,” from the forthcoming release, Blown Away, which hits stores May 1, the day after her webcast performance. The LIVE ON LETTERMAN franchise, which has surpassed 100 million views to date, has been host to some of the most established bands and musicians across the globe, staged in an intimate and dynamic setting for worldwide followers to enjoy.

Fans can watch Underwood’s webcast live or on-demand at http://www.cbs.com/late_night/liveonletterman/. In addition, the show is available live and on-demand through CBS properties, broadcast on select CBS RADIO stations, viewable live on CBS’s JumboTron in Times Square, as well as via a live audio stream on Radio.com’s mobile applications. The webcasts are also offered through VEVO s website and most mobile apps, with on-demand performances available across the entire VEVO platform including VEVO.com, mobile and connected devices and syndication partners.

Carrie Underwood is a five-time GRAMMY Award winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry. Since her debut in 2005, Underwood has amassed more than 14 million in album sales and has placed 14 #1 singles on the charts. Underwood’s new single, “Good Girl,” from her fourth album, Blown Away, is currently skyrocketing up the charts and was certified gold after only six weeks of being released.

Underwood’s LIVE ON LETTERMAN webcast will follow the taping of her performance on the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, which will be broadcast later that evening (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Soul Surfer (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Soul Surfer” is an inspiring, touching and an entertaining film based on the true story of professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, who survived a shark attack.   Featuring an awesome performance by AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, to name a few, I was deeply touched and inspired by this film.  Definitely a family film worth watching!

Images courtesy of © 2011 Enticing Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Soul Surfer

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2011

DURATION: 106 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (widescreen 2:40:1), English, French , Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English – Audio Descriptive Track, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese

RATED: PG (For an Intense Accident Sequence and Some Thematic Material)

COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2011

Based on the Book “Soul Surfer” byBethan Hamilton, Sheryl Berk and Rick Bundschuh

Directed by Sean McNamara

Screenplay by Sean McNamara, Debora Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz and Michael Berk

Producer as David Brookwell, Dutch Hofstetter, Sean McNamara, Douglas Schwartz, David Zelon

Co-Producer: Ronald Bass, Becky Hamilton, Noah Hamilton, Joey Paul Jensen, Corey Schwartz, Susie Singer Carter, Jennifer Smolka, Shelley Trotter

Co-Executive Producer: Ricard S. Galindez, Roy Tjioe

Associate Producer: Rob Deege, Tiffany Hofstetter, Laurie Koris

Music by Marco Beltrami

Cinematography by John R. Leonetti

Edited by Jeff Canavan

Casting by Joey Paul Jensen, Niner Parikh

Production Design by Rusty Smith

Art Direction by Rosario Provenza

Set Decoration by Julie Smith

Costume Design by Kathe James

Starring:

AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton

Dennis Quaid as Tom Hamilton

Helen Hunt as Cheri Hamilton

Carrie Underwood as Sarah Hill

Ross Thomas as Noah Hamilton

Lorrain Nicholson as Holt Blanchard

Kevin Sorbo as Holt Blanchard

Cody Gomes as Keoki

Sonya Balmores as Malina Birch

SOUL SURFER is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith. The film features an all-star cast, including AnnaSophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood in her film debut, and Dennis Quaid. In the wake of this life-changing event that took her arm and nearly her life, Bethany’s feisty determination and steadfast beliefs spur her toward an adventurous comeback that gives her the grit to turn her loss into a gift for others.

“Soul Surfer” is an inspiring film based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, an American professional surfer who’s life was changed after a shark attack in which she lost her left her arm.

Without her arm and media coverage from all over the world, many witnessed Bethany Hamilton return to surfing but also to compete professionally not long after her accident.  And as simple as the story may seem, many things happened during those darker days of her life of whether or not she can function without an arm, if she can ever surf again but most importantly, what made her survive the entire ordeal.

“Soul Surfer” is a film adaptation directed by Sean McNamara (producer and director of teen TV series “Beyond the Break” and “That’s So Raven”) of Bethany Hamilton’s book about her life, what happened during the day of the accident and what happened afterward.

The film begins in Kauai, Hawaii where Bethany (played by Anna SophiaRobb, “Bridge of Terabithia”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Jumper”) is a normal teenage girl who loves to surf.  She hangs out with her best friend, fellow professional surfer Alana Blanchard (played by Lorraine Nicholson, “Click, “Something’s Gotta Give”, “World’s Greatest Dad”) and for both teenagers, their dream is to become professional surfers.

But Bethany, her life is all about surfing…every day and every minute that she free time, she’s surfing.

Bethany lives with her surfing family which includes her father Tom (played by Dennis Quaid), her mother Cheri (played by Helen Hunt) and her brothers Noah (played by Ross Thomas) and Tim (played by Chris Brochu).  The family is Christian and Bethany is also active with her church youth group headed by Sarah Hill (played by Carrie Underwood).

For Bethany, life is going very well and with a good showing at a competition, both she and Alana are sponsored by Rip Curl and both are looking forward to competing at the Regionals.

But one day, Bethany went out to do some morning surfing with Alana, her father Holt (played by Kevin Sorbo) and Alana’s younger brother at Tunnels Beach and while out the ocean and talking with Alana while lying on her surfboard, a tiger shark attacks Bethany, ripping out her left arm.

Having lost 60% of her blood and thanks to the quick thinking of the Holt family and the medical services, Bethany was saved but her life would never be the same after the loss of her left arm.

The film would focus on the difficulties that Bethany would have with one arm but also her desire to surf once again.  But most importantly, how her faith in God and the support that she has received from family, friends and those who were inspired by her story to surf again, made her stronger and made her continue to compete as a professional surfer.

VIDEO:

“Soul Surfer” is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:40:1 aspect ratio).  And once again, “Soul Surfer” is another film shot in Hawaii that continues my validation of how films shot at the island have looked vibrant and beautiful on Blu-ray.

The film features a good layer of grain but its the colors that are so striking.  There is a good amount of detail, the cinematography in and out of the waves are just beautiful to watch and skin tones are natural and overall look of the film is warm.

Personally, I felt that “Soul Surfer” looked fantastic on Blu-ray.  I didn’t see any artifacts, nor did I see any banding, especially since this film is full of color.  Black levels are nice and deep and for the most part, PQ is absolutely pleasing and wonderful on Blu!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Soul Surfer” is presented in English, French and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD MA and comes with an English audio descriptive track.  The lossless audio for “Soul Surfer” is primarily dialogue and music-driven.  Dialogue is crystal clear and although there are not many action sequences, aside from Bethany’s parents trying to escape from the media or hearing the waves crashing (which do sound very good), the film is not the type of film to expect immersive audio but for this type of film, the lossless soundtrack works wonderfully.

Subtitles are in English, English SDH, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Soul Surfer” comes with the following special features:

Bethany Hamilton is a hero.

She inspires people with her life as a professional surfer despite having one arm, she inspires people because of her calmness and her resolve to helping others because of her faith in God and how her determination to compete with other professional surfers and not willing to be treated any differently.

Hamilton’s story has been featured in the news, she won the “Best Comeback Athlete ESPY Award, the “Courage Award” at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards and eventually in her career, taking first place in the 2005 National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) National Championships, competing full-time on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and also for the WQS (World Qualifying Series).

As a surfer and also a person who has followed Bethany Hamilton’s progress since the accident, I couldn’t wait to watch “Soul Surfer”.  Sure, we know of how inspirational her story is from various news segments and interviews done with Bethany Hamilton and of course, there is also her book that she wrote.

But sometimes, it helps people to see things visually on how Bethany was able to overcome a lot of the things in her life and that is because of her faith in God.

For me, watching “Soul Surfer” was pretty cool in the fact that the filmmakers wanted to make a film that was authentic.  Part of the problems that many people dislike about surfing films is their unrealistic portrayal of them and seeing a body double that looks nothing like the character.  The other is shoddy acting.

First, lets talk about the acting.

With “Soul Surfer”, you have a talented actress with AnnaSophia Robb, granted, in real life, she is much shorter than Bethany but onscreen, viewers will probably not even care. Her performance was well-done!

But possibly one of the best things about this film is the casting.  You have two star talents with Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt playing the parents of Bethany and also, you have Carrie Underwood also playing an acting role.  Granted, she a newbie in the field of acting but the fact that this film was able to secure these three talents is pretty awesome.

But the next thing that made the film so much enjoyable is the fact that the filmmakers knew the criticism of surfing films and so they wanted to make sure the talent knew how to surf and they were filmed surfing.  So, AnnaSophia Robb, under the tutelage of Bethany’s coach, learned to surf for a month, picked up quickly and started surfing each time she had a chance.

As for Bethany’s parents who love to surf, Helen Hunt knows how to surf but Dennis Quaid also went through training and enjoyed surfing as well.

There is some awesome cinematography featured in the film and as mentioned, the acting is very well-done.

But I know that for some people who have criticized this film, it’s about how the film showcases Bethany’s faith in God.

It its important to note that for Bethany and her family, their faith is a big part of them as individuals and how they live their lives.  It was also instrumental in what brought them together during those darker moments but most importantly what made Bethany a stronger individual.   And a big reason of why she was able to surf again.

And while the film does focus on faith, the filmmakers know that there must be a compromise of how they can also reach a mass audience and not to deluge non-religious viewers by not overly focusing on the religious topics.

So, with that being said, the most you are going to see of any religion on film is when the film goes into Bethany attending her youth group or going to church (which are very short scenes) and when she goes to Thailand with her youth group to help those who were devastated by the tsunami.  But even those scenes, they are not preachy nor forcing religion in anyone’s throats.

If anything, the more discussion of faith especially Bethany’s faith in God is mostly featured on the special features in the Blu-ray release.

As for the Blu-ray release, the picture quality is fantastic!  I’ve been on the record of saying how outdoor shots, especially in Hawaii have looked fantastic on Blu-ray and that goes the same for “Soul Surfer”. This is a beautiful film on Blu-ray and colors are vibrant.  The lossless audio is primarily dialogue and musically driven but there are good moments of hearing constant wave crashing that sounds very good on Blu-ray.  Granted, it would have been even better to give the wave crashing sounds a more immersive soundscape through all channels but for the most part, the soundtrack is appropriate for this film.  And of course, there are a good number of special features included on the Blu-ray.

Overall, there is really nothing negative to say about this film.  It’s a straightforward film about Bethany, her darker days and her return to surfing and competing and as a person who has been inspired by Bethany Hamilton’s story and now watching that story on film, I was pretty impressed by the film.  Inspiring, entertaining and yes, even brought me to tears a few times during the film.

“Soul Surfer” is definitely recommended!

MULTIPLE GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS TONY BENNETT AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD TO PERFORM ON THE SECOND SEASON PREMIERE OF “BLUE BLOODS,” FRIDAY, SEPT. 23

Multiple Grammy Award-winning musical sensations Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood will perform on the second season premiere of BLUE BLOODS, Friday, Sept. 23(10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

 

Bennett and Underwood will play themselves when they perform at a fundraiser that Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) and Erin Reagan-Boyle (Bridget Moynahan) are attending for the newly appointed mayor.  Bennett and Underwood greet the Reagans before performing a duet of “It Had To Be You” for the crowd.  Originally, Bennett and Underwood collaborated on this duet of the classic pop standard for Bennett’s new album, Duets II, due out on Sept. 20 (Click here to view a clip of the album video).

 

“Having musical legend Tony Bennett and the hugely talented country music star Carrie Underwood perform on our show is a true gift.  The talent that they bring together is amazing,” said Executive Producer Leonard Goldberg.  “We’re looking forward to an exciting second season premiere with a story that is certain to provoke debate, and are thrilled that Tony and Carrie can be a part of it.”

 

Bennett is part of a rare echelon of artists who have charted in every decade since the 1950′s.  With a career that spans more than 60 years, he has 15 Grammys and multiple Emmy awards to his credit.  This year, Bennett celebrates his 85th birthday, which will be marked by the release of Duets II.  A celebrated roster of artists join Bennett on this project, including Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, John Mayer, Queen Latifah and Amy Winehouse, among others.  Duets II follows the release of Bennett’s multi-platinum Duets CD, which was released in 2006 on the occasion of his 80th birthday and became the singer’s best-selling recording to date.  Named by the UN as a “Citizen of the World,” Bennett is a Kennedy Center Honoree, NEA Jazz Master and humanitarian who has raised millions of dollars for a variety of causes, including cancer and diabetes research.  He established the non-profit, ”Exploring the Arts,” to support and fund arts education in public schools in New York City.  More information can be found at http://www.tonybennett.com/, http://www.benedettoarts.com/ and http://www.exploringthearts.org/.

 

Carrie Underwood, one of music’s most powerful vocalists, is a five-time Grammy Award winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner and a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  Since her debut CD in 2005, Underwood has amassed more than 13 million in album sales and has placed 13 #1 singles on the charts.  With millions of fans worldwide, Underwood has achieved remarkable success since winning the fourth season of “American Idol” and releasing three critically acclaimed albums.  Her latest, Play On, debuted at #1 and has sold more than 2 million copies.  She wrapped her year-long “Play On Tour” last December after performing 108 shows across the U.S. and Canada with one million fans attending, and was the top-ranked female country touring artist of 2010.

 

Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, Len Cariou, Jennifer Esposito, Amy Carlson and Sami Gayle star in BLUE BLOODS.  Leonard Goldberg and Ed Zuckerman are the executive producers.

ALABAMA, DIERKS BENTLEY, RONNIE DUNN, SARA EVANS, MARTINA McBRIDE, REBA, BLAKE SHELTON, CARRIE UNDERWOOD AND ZAC BROWN BAND WITH JAMES TAYLOR, TO PERFORM AT THE “46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC(R) AWARDS,” TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, SUNDAY, APRIL 3 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Nancy O’Dell and Ryan Seacrest Scheduled to Present

Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Reba, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band with James Taylor are scheduled to perform on the 46^th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 3 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.  The ceremony, which honors country music’s top talent as well as the industry’s hottest emerging artists, is produced for television by dick clark productions.

 

The aforementioned artists join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban-all of whom are Entertainer of the Year nominees.

 

Performers:

Alabama has won an astounding 20 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, including six times for Vocal Group of the Year and five times for Entertainer of the Year, and was named Artist of the Decade in 1988.  Alabama will perform with Entertainer of the Year nominee Brad Paisley.

 

Dierks Bentley is nominated for Album of the Year for Up on the Ridge.  Bentley won New Artist of the Year in 2003.

 

Ronnie Dunn helped define the country landscape over the past 20 years as one half of the most successful duo in country music history.  He now builds on his 30-million-selling album history as part of Brooks & Dunn with his Arista Nashville solo debut album, slated for release later this year.  The album’s stirring first single, “Bleed Red,” is available now.

Sara Evans debuted at #1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart this past week with the release of her sixth studio album, Stronger, featuring her current smash, the RIAA-certified Gold Digital Single, “A Little Bit Stronger.”  A past ACM Female Vocalist winner, Evans’ chart-topping career includes more than five million albums sold and such #1 hits as “Suds in the Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “No Place That Far” and “Born to Fly.”

 

Martina McBride is a three-time Female Vocalist winner and was also awarded the Humanitarian Award in 2003 for her charitable work.  During the “Girls’ Night Out:  Superstar Women of Country” special, which will be broadcast Friday, April 22 on CBS, McBride will be honored once again by ACM Lifting Lives (the ACM’s charitable arm) for her dedication to raising social consciousness of domestic violence and encouraging female empowerment through songs.

 

Reba has won 12 ACM Awards, including seven wins for Female Vocalist of the Year, and was awarded the first-ever annual Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award for her outstanding philanthropic work.  This broadcast will mark Reba’s 13th time hosting the show.

 

Blake Shelton will make his debut this year as an ACM Award co-host with Reba.  Shelton has been nominated for three ACM Awards and won his first ACM award last year for Vocal Event of the Year for his #1 hit single, “Hillbilly Bone,” which features longtime friend Trace Adkins.

 

Over the course of his career, James Taylor has sold some 40 million albums and has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards.  As a recording and touring artist inducted into both the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, Taylor has set a precedent for solo singer/songwriters and blazed a path to which countless numbers of earnest young musicians have since aspired.

 

Carrie Underwood is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.  Having won a total of 10 ACM Awards, Underwood is the two-time reigning Entertainer of the Year and has won Female Vocalist three times.

Zac Brown Band is nominated for five awards, including Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year.  Zac Brown Band is also nominated for Song of the Year, Single Record of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for “As She’s Walking Away,” featuring Alan Jackson.  Zac Brown Band will perform “Colder Weather” at the ACM Awards with one of their idols, James Taylor.

 

Presenters:

Nancy O’Dell, “Entertainment Tonight’s” Emmy Award-winning journalist, has proven to be a force in all areas of her career as a host, author, producer and entrepreneur. Currently Special Correspondent, O’Dell will assume the role of co-anchor of “Entertainment Tonight” after Mary Hart ends her final season in May 2011.

 

Ryan Seacrest is at the forefront of the media and entertainment industry.  Seacrest is celebrated internationally as host of “American Idol,” and hosts and produces E! News as well as its red carpet awards show coverage.  He also serves as an executive producer and co-hosts “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”

 

The 46^TH ANNUAL 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.  Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers; Barry Adelman is the producer and Bob Bardo serves as the executive in charge of production.

MIRANDA LAMBERT, MARTINA McBRIDE, JENNIFER NETTLES, REBA AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD ARE AMONG THE ARTISTS TO BE HONORED AT “GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: SUPERSTAR WOMEN OF COUNTRY”, A NEW CONCERT SPECIAL TO BE BROADCAST ON CBS

Country superstars Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride Jennifer Nettles, Reba and Carrie Underwood are among the artists scheduled to appear and be honored at GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: SUPERSTAR WOMEN OF COUNTRY, a new concert special produced by dick clark productions to be broadcast at a later date on the CBS Television Network.  The special will be taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 4.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT: SUPERSTAR WOMEN OF COUNTRY is a special tribute concert featuring an A-list lineup of performers paying respect to today’s most incredible country music female artists, all of whom will be honored with unique accolades from the Academy of Country Music for special achievements in their careers.  More talent announcements are forthcoming.  Ticket sales from the special will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy.

Miranda Lambert will be recognized for being the only female in the Academy’s history to ever win Album of the Year twice, first for “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” in 2007 and again for “Revolution” in 2009.

Martina McBride will be recognized by ACM Lifting Lives for her dedication to raising social consciousness through songs such as “Independence Day” and “Concrete Angel,” which raise awareness of domestic violence and encourage female empowerment.  McBride has won Top Female Vocalist three times.

Jennifer Nettles will be recognized for being only one of two female artists in the Academy’s history to ever solo write and perform Song of the Year with “Stay” in 2007.

Reba will be recognized for winning Top Female Vocalist more times than any other artist in Academy history-seven times.

Carrie Underwood will be recognized for being the only female in the Academy’s history to ever win Entertainer of the Year twice-first in 2008 and again in 2009.  (She is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, as the ACM Awards recognize the previous calendar year’s work.)

GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: SUPERSTAR WOMEN OF COUNTRY is produced for television by dick clark productions.  Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers, Barry Adelman is producer and Bob Bardo is executive in charge of production.  Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

WINNERS OF INAUGURAL “AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS” ANNOUNCED

Carrie Underwood Wins Six Awards, Including Artist of The Year,

and Lady Antebellum Wins Four Awards

Two-Hour Special Featured Performances by Country Music’s Biggest Stars,

Including Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson,

Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Reba, Blake Shelton, Steel Magnolia,

Josh Turner and Uncle Kracker

The following were honored today at the first-ever AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS broadcast live on FOX from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Fans logged on to www.theacas.com to cast votes in support of their favorite country music artists. The awards include traditional categories, as well as previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has.

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS winners include:

ARTISTS

Artist of the Year

Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Male

Brad Paisley

Artist of the Year: Female

Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group

Lady Antebellum

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist

Easton Corbin

AlbumS

Album of the Year

“Play On,” Carrie Underwood

SINGLES

Single of the Year

“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

Single of the Year: Male

“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

Single of the Year: Female

“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood

Single of the Year: Duo or Group

“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist

“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin

TOURING

Touring Headline Package of the Year

Carrie Underwood

VIDEOS

Music Video of the Year

“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins

Music Video: Male

“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins

Music Video: Female

“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood

Music Video: Duo or Group

“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

Music Video: Breakthrough Artist

“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin

GREATEST HITS AWARD

Alan Jackson

DECADE AWARD

Rascal Flatts

VIDEO VISIONARY AWARD

Toby Keith

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2010, “Kids’ Choice Awards”). Paul Flattery and Tisha Fein serve as producers; Fletcher Foster is co-producer; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey directed the special.

Carrie Underwood wins “Artist of the Year” for the American Country Awards 2010 in Las Vegas

Singer Carrie Underwood accepts the Artist Of The Year award onstage during the American Country Awards 2010 held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 6, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images). Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

BRAD PAISLEY AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD RETURN TO HOST “THE 44th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS,” LIVE FROM NASHVILLE ON NOVEMBER 10

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood reunite in 2010 to host “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” for a third time. “The 44th Annual CMA Awards” airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Carrie and Brad have done a tremendous job hosting, and we are very happy to have them back again this year,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They have developed a natural rhythm and have a great rapport with the audience – both in the house and with our fans watching at home. They each have a great sense of humor and timing, which are two essential ingredients for hosting a live awards broadcast.”

“The CMAs are different from any other awards night,” said Brad Paisley. “You’re looking at a roomful of people who love each other. And any new viewer will be pleasantly surprised at what they relate to on the Awards and what they like that they had no idea they would like. For that reason alone, this is the most important night of the year for country music.”

“It’s all about Country Music,” said Carrie Underwood. “We all live here. This is our community. The CMA Awards are in Nashville, the home of country music. It’s great to come here and celebrate that every year.”

Paisley has won 13 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award (now the New Artist Award) in 2000, including Male Vocalist (2007, 2008, 2009) and Album (2006 for “Time Well Wasted”). He also won Musical Event three times, first in 2004 with Alison Krauss for “Whiskey Lullaby,” second in 2006 for “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Dolly Parton, and a third in 2009 for “Start a Band” with Keith Urban; Vocal Event in 2001 for “Too Country” with Bill Anderson, George Jones and Buck Owens; and Music Video of the Year three times, first in 2002 for “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song);” second in 2004 for “Whiskey Lullaby” (again with Krauss), and third in 2007 for “Online.” He is No. 5 on the list of top CMA Award winners of all time.

Paisley is a consummate artist, a singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer. He has garnered three Grammy Awards and has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums, with sales of more than 11 million units. His most recent album, “American Saturday Night,” was ranked as Time magazine’s 2009 No. 1 album of the year in any genre of music. His most recent No. 1 single, “Water,” was his 17th chart topper – the last 13 consecutive. Paisley’s innovative and entertaining “H2O World Tour” consistently sells out and will continue through November. His next album, “Hits Alive,” will include original studio tracks as well as live tracks from his concerts and will be released Nov. 2.

Underwood has received five CMA Awards in her career, including three consecutive wins as Female Vocalist (2006-2008), as well as Single of the Year (2007 for “Before He Cheats”) and the Horizon Award (2006). Underwood, who has also won five Grammy Awards, adds hosting the CMA Awards to a whirlwind year which includes headlining over 100 concerts throughout the U.S. and Canada on her critically-acclaimed “Play On Tour.”

Underwood has amassed more than 12 million in U.S. album sales since her debut CD in 2005. She’s consistently broken new ground by becoming the first “American Idol” winner to ever achieve 13 No. 1 hits and the first country music artist ever to achieve 10 No. 1 singles just on the strength of their first two albums. Her latest single, “Undo It,” is the third consecutive chart-topping smash from her platinum-certified “Play On” album. The song is one of seven tracks co-written by Underwood for “Play On,” and it becomes the sixth No. 1 of her career that she has co-written.

“The 44th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer. Paul Miller is the director. David Wild is the writer. 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.

Visit www.CMApress.com for CMA Awards history, photos, press releases, and logos. Media can also visit this site for on-line media credential registration for the CMA Awards, beginning Sept. 1. This is a protected site for the media only with restrictions on use. The public should be directed to www.CMAawards.com.

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