BRAD PAISLEY AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD HOST “THE 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"

NASHVILLE – Country superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will be returning to host Country Music’s Biggest Night™ in 2016. “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The return of the popular pair was announced during Paisley’s appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and via Underwood’s social network. The follow-up CMA social announcement included a video highlight reel of the first 50 years of CMA Awards moments.

“This is a milestone year for the CMA Awards as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary and the broadcast is in great hands with Brad and Carrie,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They are genuinely invested in the ongoing success of the CMA Awards, but they are equally committed to honoring the traditions that are the foundation of Country Music’s Biggest Night.”

“I really enjoy hosting the CMA Awards with Brad,” said Underwood. “Of course we have fun up there, but we take the responsibility of honoring the best artists in the format and shining a positive light on Country Music very seriously. And this year, the bar will be even higher as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards. I can’t wait.” 

“I look forward to hosting the CMA Awards each year,” said Paisley. “Carrie and I have certainly hit our stride in terms of balancing humor and a genuine respect for the nominees and winners. This year the stakes are higher than ever as we honor the legacy and traditions of the past 50 years. We will give it everything we've got.”

Paisley has won 14 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award (now the New Artist Award) in 2000, including Entertainer of the Year (2010), Male Vocalist (2007, 2008, 2009), and Album (2006 for Time Well Wasted). He won Musical Event of the Year three times, first in 2004 with Alison Krauss for “Whiskey Lullaby,” second in 2006 for “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Dolly Parton, and a third time in 2009 for “Start a Band” with Keith Urban. He claimed the Vocal Event of the Year trophy in 2001 for “Too Country” with Bill Anderson, George Jones, and Buck Owens; and won Music Video of the Year four times, including “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” (2002), “Whiskey Lullaby” (with Krauss, 2004), “Online” (2007), and “Waitin’ on a Woman” (featuring Andy Griffith, 2008). He is No. 3 on the list of the top CMA Awards nominees of all time.    

Ticket information for the CMA Awards will be announced later this summer with information available at CMAawards50.com. Or follow the conversation on Twitter at #CMAawards50.