April 2, 2002

COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR REBA McENTIRE TO HOST "THE 37TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS," TO BE BROADCAST MAY 22 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Ten-time ACM Award-winning superstar Reba McEntire has been named as the host of THE 37TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, a three-hour special to be broadcast from the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 22 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Previously announced performers on this year's broadcast include Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, George Strait and Lee Ann Womack.

McEntire reigns as the most successful female artist in the country genre with more than 50 million records sold. This year, her 27th CD and third greatest hits package: "Greatest Hits III -- I'm a Survivor," entered the country charts at number one. McEntire's first foray into series television this year resulted in the successful comedy series, "Reba." She stormed Broadway in early 2001 as the star of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun." Her critically acclaimed performance received rave reviews and numerous theater awards. A CBS television movie version of the play is currently in development.

During the broadcast, 13 awards honoring the past year's elite in country music will be handed out. Presenters and performers scheduled to appear on the special will be announced shortly. Awards will be presented to the Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist, Top Female Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist, Top Vocal Duo, Vocal Group of the Year, Top New Vocal Duet/Group, Vocal Event of the Year, Album of the Year, Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Country Video of the Year. The debut this year of the ACM Home Depot Humanitarian Award will be the first fan-voted award on the show. Three nominees in this category, selected by a Blue Ribbon Committee of the Academy of Country Music, will be announced shortly.

Nominees and winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards are selected by members of the Academy of Country Music. The organization's primary goal is to enhance and promote country music throughout the world.

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THE 37TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is from dick clark productions, inc. Dick Clark and Al Schwartz are the executive producers; R.A. Clark and Barry Adelman, the producers; Ron Weed, the co-producer; Fran Boyd, the ACM talent producer. Bruce Gowers is directing the special from a script by Barry Adelman and Robert Arthur.

RATING: To Be Announced

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