CMT News

TV personality and former game show host Chuck Woolery has been tapped to host CMT Conversations, an hour-long interview special to air on Oct. 4, the night of The 34th Annual CMA Awards. The show will feature CMA nominees Kenny Rogers, Lee Ann Womack and duo Montgomery Gentry. Rogers, a longtime friend of Woolery's, is competing for Single of the Year for "Buy Me a Rose," his first No. 1 record in 13 years. Womack will vie for five awards, including Female Vocalist, Single, Video, Album and Vocal Event. Three of her nominations stem from her smash single, "I Hope You Dance." Montgomery Gentry, comprising Kentucky natives Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, is up for the Horizon Award and Duo of the Year. Woolery, whose son lives in Nashville, is a big country fan, says Ann Rotunno, CMT's specials manager. "He's a great conversationalist, and everybody loves him," Rotunno said. The interview special is tentatively set to air at 6 p.m. ET. Also in the works is a live, hour-long show from the red carpet outside the Grand Ole Opry House the night of the awards show. The 34th annual CMA Awards will air live on CBS from 8-11 p.m. ET.