COUNTRY SUPERSTAR GEORGE STRAIT TO RECEIVE THE SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, ON "THE 38TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS," MAY 21 ON CBS

Country music superstar George Strait will receive the Special Achievement Award, on THE 38TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Reba McEntire, Wednesday, May 21 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The Special Achievement Award is given by The Academy of Country Music in acknowledgement of unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement in country music.

George Strait achieved a career milestone when he reached his 50TH Number One hit, "She'll Leave You With A Smile," from his 28TH CD, The Road Less Traveled. He set a new record for Number One songs by a single artist in any genre and broke the long-standing record of 49 held by Conway Twitty. During his long-lasting career, Strait has sold more than 58 million albums and has been on the top of country music charts for over two decades. Strait is also nominated this year for Top Male Vocalist and will perform on the show.

As The Special Achievement Award is not given every year, only three performers have been honored previously: George Burns (1980), Jeff Foxworthy (1995) and Garth Brooks (1997).

Previously announced performers include Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Martina McBride and Willie Nelson.

THE 38TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is produced by dick clark productions. Dick Clark and Al Schwartz are the executive producers. R.A. Clark and Barry Adelman produce the show. Ron Weed is a co-producer.

Press Contacts:

For CBS:        Susan J. Marks  323/575-2118    susan.marks@tvc.cbs.com
                Beth Stoller-Feldman  212/975-3183 bstoller-feldman@cbs.com

For Rogers & Cowan:

                Maureen O'Connor        310/201-8816   moconnor@rogersandcowan.com
                Jason Padgitt           310/201-8840   jpadgitt@rogersandcowan.com