CMT News

Country music's hottest celebrities will be joined by stars from across the entertainment world when they share the stage at the CMT Flameworthy 2003 Video Music Awards live on Monday, April 7 at 8 p.m., ET on CMT: Country Music Television.

Appearing with co-hosts Pamela Anderson (Baywatch and VIP) and country superstar Toby Keith will be presenters Brett Butler (Grace Under Fire), Mo Rocca (The Daily Show), Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show), NFL superstar and Tennessee Titan Kevin Carter and NASCAR racing phenomenon Jimmie Johnson. Country stars presenting awards include Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Deana Carter, Hank Williams Jr., Trace Adkins, Jessica Andrews, Terri Clark, Chris Cagle and Steve Azar. Also in the spotlight will be infamous New York City street performer The Naked Cowboy.

Superstar Vince Gill will host a special tribute to the incomparable Johnny Cash. CMT will honor The Man In Black for his five decades of influence and enduring contributions to American music. This special segment will include a taped tribute featuring Bono, the Dixie Chicks, Rosanne Cash and others.

Live power-packed musical performances will be delivered by Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts. Surprise musical guests will also perform.

The CMT Flameworthy 2003 Video Music Awards is country music's only fan-voted awards show and only video music awards. CMT viewers have cast more than 2.5 million votes online at CMT.com for their choices in each of the Flameworthy categories. The final five nominees for the Flameworthy video of the year will be announced at the beginning of the live telecast on Monday, April 7 and viewers will choose the winner at CMT.com during the show. The winner will be announced live during the telecast.

Tickets for the CMT Flameworthy 2003 Video Music Awards are on sale now at CMT's Web site CMT.com and through Ticketmaster at 615/255-9600 or ticketmaster.com. In Nashville, tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations and at the Gaylord Entertainment Center box office.

The 2002 inaugural CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards was seen by 6.3 million viewers in its premiere airings. The show's debut telecast swept multiple demographic groups to make CMT the No. 1 rated basic cable network among women ages 18-49 and women ages 25-54 during the time period. In addition, the awards show premiere was the highest rated commercial telecast in CMT history among viewers ages 18-49 -- and it was the second highest rated telecast among viewers ages 18-49 when compared to all basic cable network shows for the entire day's programming (June 12, 2002).

CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches 66.7 million households in the U.S.