CMT News

LOS ANGELES -- Faith Hill earned her
first-ever Grammy awards today during a
pre-telecast ceremony but was not on
hand to pick them up because she is
scheduled to perform on tonight's
telecast.

David Foster and Latin artist Olga Tanon
handed out many country-related
Grammy awards today at the Staples
Center here prior to tonight's CBS
telecast of the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards at 8 p.m. ET.

Hill's early victories came for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for
"Breathe" and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "Let's Make Love," her
duet with husband Tim McGraw.

Her album, Breathe, is a contender for Best Country Album, which will be handed
out during the telecast.

Lee Ann Womack's hit, "I Hope You Dance," was named Best Country Song.
The award went to songwriters Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers, who were on
hand to accept their trophies. Along with "Breathe," the tune also is up for Song
of the Year, which will be awarded during the televised festivities.

Johnny Cash took honors for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his cover
of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man."

Cash was edged out in the Best Contempory Folk Album category by Emmylou
Harris, who won for Red Dirt Girl. Dave Alvin, formerly of the Blasters, picked up
Best Traditional Folk Album for Public Domain: Songs From the Wild Land.

Asleep at the Wheel's "Cherokee Maiden," written by Country Music Hall of
Fame member Cindy Walker, won for Best Performance by a Duo or Group with
Vocal.

Banjo aces Alison Brown and Bela Fleck were awarded Best Country
Instrumental Performance for their collaboration on "Leaving Cottondale."

Dolly Parton's The Grass Is Blue was named Best Bluegrass Album. Ricky
Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder picked up Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass
Gospel Album for Soldier of the Cross.

Country-related artists also scored victories in other award categories. Woody's
Roundup Featuring Riders in the Sky picked up Best Musical Album for Children.
Ex-New Grass Revival member Fleck and his group, The Flecktones, captured
Best Contemporary Jazz Album for Outbound.

Appalachian Journey, featuring country-related musicians Alison Krauss, Edgar
Meyer and Mark O'Connor, won Best Classical Crossover Album.

Hill will sing "Breathe" during the three-hour television show. Dolly Parton and
Best New Artist nominee Brad Paisley will appear together. Parton will perform
"Travelin' Prayer," Paisley will do "We Danced" before the duo pairs up to hand
out the Best Country Album honor. Womack and Vince Gill also are among
tonight's presenters.

Check back shortly after the CBS Grammy telecast for full country coverage from
Los Angeles.