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COUNTRY MUSIC FANS HAVE THE POWER TO VOTE ONLINE FOR THE “46TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS” ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR A

Fans Can Log on to www.VoteACM.com, Powered by the RAM, to Vote for Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year

Entertainer of the Year Nominees Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban Set to Perform on Live Telecast

CBS.com also Featuring Original 7-Part Web Series, ROAD TO THE ACM AWARDS, Documenting New Artist of the Year Nominees Eric Church and The Band Perry’s Journey to THE 46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

RAM Truck brand Hosts’ Enter-to-Win Sweepstakes Gives Fans a Chance to  drive away in a 2011 RAM Truck or Trip For 2 to Next Year’s ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2011 — Today, country music fans have the power to choose the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year by casting their votes on www.VoteACM.com, powered by the RAM Truck Brand. The winners will be announced live on the 46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 3 (8:00 – 11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Nominees Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, who will all vie for Entertainer of the Year, are scheduled to perform on the live broadcast. The Band Perry and Eric Church will compete for the New Artist of the Year award. Fans can cast their vote for New Artist of the Year through the start of the live broadcast, and for Entertainer of the Year in to the third hour of the show. Fans will also be able to vote using their mobile device by logging on to www.VoteACM.com, or via text message*, using a number that will be announced during the telecast.

On VoteACM.com, fans will soon be able to watch the original web series, ROAD TO THE ACM AWARDS, featuring New Artist of the Year nominees Eric Church and The Band Perry. The 7-websiode series takes fans behind the scenes during the final weeks leading up to both nominees’ first trip to the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. In past years, the series has featured country music superstars Taylor Swift, Josh Thompson, Gloriana and Lady Antebellum.

Country music fans will also have the chance to win** a trip for two to next year’s ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS or drive away in a 2011 RAM Truck by entering the RAM Truck Brand’s Enter-To-Win sweepstakes. To enter and for more information on the sweepstakes, please visit www.VoteACM.com

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:

Jason Aldean is nominated for two awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. This is Aldean's first nomination for Entertainer of the Year. Aldean won Top New Male Vocalist in 2005.

         Miranda Lambert is nominated for seven awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year and, for the first time, Entertainer of the Year.  In addition, Lambert is nominated for Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "The House That Built Me," and holds two nominations for Video of the Year for "Only Prettier" and "The House That Built Me." She is also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year with Sheryl Crow and Loretta Lynn for "Coal Miner's Daughter." Lambert is the reigning ACM Top Female Vocalist.

Toby Keith is nominated for Entertainer of the Year. He previously won the category twice – first in 2002 and then again the following year. Keith has also won 10 ACM Awards, including two for Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year.

         Brad Paisley is nominated for two awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.  If Paisley wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his first win in this category. Paisley has won 13 ACM Awards, including four for Top Male Vocalist.

Taylor Swift is nominated for four awards, including her second consecutive nod for Entertainer of the Year. If Swift wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be her first win in this category.  Swift is nominated as an artist and producer for Album of the Year for Speak Now and also received a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year. In 2009, Swift made history as the Academy's youngest-ever winner for Album of the Year when she was honored as both an artist and producer for Fearless. 

Keith Urban is nominated for three awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. Urban is also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for "Blue Sky" with Emily West. Urban is a seven-time ACM award winner, including wins for Top Male Vocalist in 2004 and 2005, Album of the Year in 2004 and Top New Male Vocalist in 2000.

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:

The Band Perry is nominated for five awards, including Vocal Group of the Year, New Group of the Year, Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

Eric Church is nominated for two awards, including New Artist of the Year and New Solo Vocalist of the Year.

About the Academy of Country Music Awards

The 46th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry.  The show is produced for television by Dick Clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.  Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers.  Barry Adelman is producer, and Bob Bardo is the executive in charge of production. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.  For more information, please visit www.acmcountry.com.

*Msg&Data rates may apply. Contact your carrier for you plan details. 

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open to legal residents of the U. S., at least 18 and age of majority in state of residence or older with a valid driver's license at date of entry into sweepstakes. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes ends at 8:00:00 PM PT on April 20, 2011. See Rules for details at cbs.com.

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CBS Interactive Press Contacts:
Leslie Van Every 415-344-2129 Leslie.VanEvery@cbsinteractive.com
Dave Pedersen            415-344-2197 Dave.Pedersen@cbsinteractive.com

CBS Press Contacts:          
Andrea Ballas 818-655-1581             Andrea.Ballas@cbs.com
Kim Izzo-Emmet 212-975-3820             krizzo_emmet@cbs.com