Country Music Association Names Presenters For Awards Ceremony

The evening officially known as "country music's biggest night" is on its way toward the final stages of planning.

The Country Music Association announced today the first presenters for the upcoming Country Music Awards. The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, which will be hosted by country stars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, is set to air Nov. 11 on ABC.

Presenting awards will be Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and current nominees Randy Houser and Jake Owen. The presenter roles are not limited to those in the country music business. Among those handing out awards will be Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton, stars of the ABC sitcom "The Middle"; NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; and Robin Roberts, of ABC News and co-anchor of "Good Morning America." Roberts will also host the special "Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville" on ABC the night before the awards.

As in 2007 and 2008, the ceremony airs from downtown Nashville's Sommet Center as opposed to its usual venue of the Grand Ole Opry. Among other nominations, hosts Paisley and Underwood are up for Best Male and Female Vocalists of the Year, which Paisley has won the last two years and Underwood the last three. The two are among the many nominees who will be performing at the ceremony, including Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and the Zac Brown Band. Other performers are Jason Aldean, Vince Gill with Daughtry, Tim McGraw and Dave Matthews, who will be part of Chesney's set.

Country trio Love and Theft will also have hosting duties, helming the Pre-Telecast Awards. This pre-show ceremony honors the recipients of the CMA Broadcast Awards with market size-based awards like Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year, as well as National Broadcast Personality of the Year.