Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, and Zac Brown Band Will Perform on "The 45th Annual CMA Awards"

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The lineup for "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" continues to grow with today's announcement that Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, and Zac Brown Band will perform on "Country Music's Biggest Night™."

"The 45th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, and Chris Young, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration "You and Tequila," Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet "Easy," and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."    

Evans earned two nominations this year, Female Vocalist and Single of the Year (for the multi-week No. 1 and Platinum-certified digital single "A Little Bit Stronger"). She has received one CMA Award thus far, Music Video of the Year (2001 for "Born to Fly"). Her current album is Stronger.

McBride is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.  She has won five CMA Awards, including Music Video (in 1994 for "Independence Day") and four Female Vocalist of the Year Awards (1999, 2002-2004), which ties her with Reba McEntire for the most wins in that category. She recently released her album, Eleven.

McCreery, the 18-year old 2011 winner of "American Idol," recently made history when his first album Clear as Day debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. He is the youngest male solo artist to achieve this feat. The album features his Gold-certified digital single "I Love You This Big" and his current hit, "The Trouble with Girls." This will be his debut CMA Awards performance.  

Sugarland is nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year, an Award they have won for the last four consecutive years (2007-2010).  Their most recent album is the Platinum-certified The Incredible Machine, which featured the Double Platinum-certified digital single "Stuck Like Glue." Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles will once again host "CMA Country Christmas," which tapes in Nashville on Nov. 10 and will air later this year on ABC.

Zac Brown Band is nominated in four categories: Vocal Group, Album (for You Get What You Give), Musical Event (for "As She's Walking Away" with Alan Jackson), and Single of the Year (for "Colder Weather"). Bandmates Zac Brown and Coy Bowles were also nominated for Song of the Year (for co-writing "Colder Weather"). Lead singer Brown could potentially pick up two additional trophies for co-producing the Album and Single of the Year. Zac Brown Band won the CMA New Artist of the Year Award in 2010.

Tickets for "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" are on sale and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster outlets; by calling (800) 745-3000; or at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, located at 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). Ticket prices for the CMA Awards start at $110 for Upper Level seating. Ticket prices include tax, but exclude applicable service fees. Purchase tickets early for the best available seats. In 2009 and 2010, the CMA Awards sold out in advance.

"The 45th 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. Chevrolet™ is a Proud Partner of the CMA Awards and Official Ride of Country Music. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the 2011 CMA Awards. Macy's is the official presenting partner of the CMA Awards Red Carpet.  CMA is a Proud Supporter of DRIVE4COPD.

SOURCE Country Music Association