Luke Bryan Reigns At Spring Break Panama City

BLACK TIE, BLACK LABEL, BLACK CARPET: ARTIST ARRIVALS FOR "THE 44th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS" PRESENTED BY JACK DANIEL'S
Jack Daniel's Will Also Co-Present the CMA Awards Post Party

NASHVILLE - Black ties will look even better at "The 44^th Annual CMA Awards" as artists and celebrities stroll down the CMA Awards Black Carpet presented by Jack Daniel's. The CMA Awards Black Carpet presented by Jack Daniel's will be the official kick-off for "Country Music's Biggest Night(tm)" on Wednesday, Nov. 10. No ordinary awards show carpet, portions of the Black Carpet will be auctioned off to benefit music education.

"We are thrilled to have Jack Daniel's partner with us for this year's Black Carpet," said Sheri Warnke, CMA Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. "We had such a great experience with them at this year's CMA Music Festival and we look forward to another successful collaboration."

"Jack Daniel's has long played an important role in the lives and songs of Country Music artists, and the CMA Awards Black Carpet is an exciting way to celebrate these honorees," said Mark Grindstaff, U.S. Marketing Director for Jack Daniel's. "The prestige of the CMA Awards and the popularity of Jack Daniel's go hand-in-hand."

Always a high point at the annual CMA Awards, this year the CMA Awards Black Carpet presented by Jack Daniel's will be positioned on Demonbreun Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. Country Music artists and celebrities will be able to walk down the Black Carpet embellished with Jack Daniel's logos and statues of the famous whiskey maker beginning at 4:00 PM/CT. And this year's Black Carpet will extend far beyond the Awards Show as portions of the carpet featuring Jack Daniel's insignia will be signed by artists and included in the CMA Awards Post Party silent auction to benefit CMA's Keep the Music Playing, which supports  music education in public schools.

In addition, Jack Daniel's in cooperation with the Gibson Foundation has donated a 10-foot Gibson Guitar Les Paul guitar sculpture signed by artists participating in this year's Awards that will be positioned on the Black Carpet. This guitar will be placed in the Post Awards Party silent auction with proceeds benefitting Keep the Music Playing.

After kicking off "The 44^th Annual CMA Awards," Jack Daniel's will finish off the night by co-presenting the CMA Awards Post Party. Always the place to be after the annual Awards, this year's after party will feature live music and dancing. There will also be intimate lounge areas where party-goers can take a break from the dance floor, a VIP room, delicious delicacies, and a signature Jack Daniel's beverage.

New at this year's Post Party will be a silent auction area where attendees can not only bid on the Jack Daniel's Gibson guitar sculpture and portions of the Black Carpet, but many one-of-a-kind items as well including tickets to several Broadway musicals at TPAC, autographed memorabilia from some of Country Music's biggest stars, and a VIP day with Chevy Racing at the 2011 Brickyard 400. All proceeds from the silent auction benefit Keep the Music Playing.

"The 44^th Annual CMA Awards" will air onWednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on the ABC Television Network. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return as hosts for their third consecutive year. Performers include Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert,Paisley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rascal Flatts, Reba,Blake Shelton, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Underwood, Keith Urban, the pairing of Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, and more to be announced soon.

Tickets for the 2010 CMA Awards are on sale and can be purchased by logging on towww.ticketmaster.com; calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Bridgestone Arena box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway), Nashville. Ticket prices begin at $110 for Upper Level. All ticket prices include sales tax, but exclude applicable service/handling fees. Purchase tickets early for best available seats. In 2009, the CMA Awards sold out in advance.

"The 44^th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and 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.

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2010 CMA Awards. Chevrolet, Proud Sponsor of the CMA Awards and Official Ride of Country Music.