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TAYLOR SWIFT SURPRISED WITH CMA INTERNATIONAL ARTIST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY BROOKS AND DUNN

NASHVILLE - Superstar Taylor Swift was surprised backstage during the dress rehearsals for "The 43^rd Annual CMA Awards" when Kix Brooksand Ronnie Dunn presented her with the 2009 CMA International Artist Achievement Award. Brooks and Dunn were last year's recipients of the Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the United States.

 
"This is beautiful!" said Swift. "Thank you so much! This is an awesome way to start the day!"

"What Taylor has done for Country Music inside the United States is amazing in itself, but what she has done for the format internationally is outstanding," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "She recognizes the importance of taking her music around the globe, and in doing so, has become a phenomenal ambassador for Country Music. She is very deserving of this Award."

Swift's second album Fearless has made a huge international impact, achieving Gold and Platinum certifications in fourteen countries that span five continents. In addition to her native United States, those countries include Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Fearless has also reached the Top 10 on album charts in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and more.

Her hit song "Love Story" raced up airplay charts around the globe, reaching No. 1 in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom; Top Five in the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Norway; Top 10 inDenmark and Finland; and Top 20 in Greece, Holland, Hungary, Spain,Sweden, South Africa, and on the European Chart. Airplay resulted in strong sales, causing "Love Story" to rise on many international Single Sales Charts including No. 1 in Australia; No. 2 in the United Kingdom; No. 3 in Ireland and New Zealand; the Top 10 in Norway, Sweden, and on the European Chart; and Top 20 in Denmark, Finland, and Holland.   

Swift performed promotional and concert tours in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom in both 2008 and 2009. Among her sold out shows and appearances was the high profile V Festival series in the United Kingdom.

Past winners of the CMA International Artist Achievement Award

(originally known as the CMA International Touring Artist Award)

               

1996        BR5 49

1997        The Mavericks

1998        Trisha Yearwood

1999        Shania Twain

2000        Reba McEntire

2001        Lonestar

2002        Bellamy Brothers

2003        Dixie Chicks

2004        Dolly Parton

2005        Keith Urban

2006        Dixie Chicks

2007        Dwight Yoakam

2008        Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn

2009        Taylor Swift