Mar 29, 2007

Live Performances by Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and a Special Performance from Australia by Keith Urban start at 8 p.m. ET

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Paul McGuire Hosts Canada's Own CMT 2007 Music Awards Pre-Party with Special Guest Performances by Beverley Mahood and Chris Cummings

(March 29, 2007 – Toronto, Canada) CMT Canada presents the exclusive Canadian broadcast of the 2007 CMT Music Awards – and adds a uniquely Canadian twist. The glitz and glamour come straight to the Central studios with a pre-show party Monday, April 16, complete with live performances and a live studio audience. The CMT 2007 Music Awards Pre-Party kicks things off at 6 p.m. ET.

While bringing audiences the official awards show pre-party with all the star-studded red carpet action live from Nashville, CMT Canada is hosting a bash of its own, giving viewers the best of both worlds. Hosted by Central's Paul McGuire, this homegrown celebration takes place inside the Central studios, for an audience of contest winners from sister station The New Country 95.3. The studio audience and viewers at home will be treated to special performances by Beverly Mahood and Chris Cummings and McGuire’s red carpet commentary, while they watch the pre-show arrivals.

The awards, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, feature performances by Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood and Sugarland. The nominees this year illustrate country music's growth and broadened appeal, including country favourites Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Toby Keith and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood. As well, Bon Jovi will perform their first single (You Want To) Make a Memory from their upcoming album Lost Highway for the first time.

The fanfare begins at 5 p.m. as Kellie Pickler hosts a one-hour special featuring the nominated videos in the coveted CMT Music Awards Video of the Year category. The CMT 2007 Music Awards Pre-Party flows live at 6 p.m. and the 2007 CMT Music Awards start at 8 p.m.

Viewers, get out your mobile phones! This year, during the 2007 CMT Music Awards and pre-party, viewers can participate in a live text messaging reverse auction. Text to bid on a trip for two to see Martina McBride live in New York City or a flat screen TV. If you have the lowest unique bid, you win the prize for free!  And isn’t it about time that an awards show gave something to you? Join in the fun exclusively on CMT Canada, Monday, April 16.

CMT is Canada’s source for country music videos, music programming, and daily entertainment news on Central. CMT also offers an exciting prime-time lineup of comedy and drama series, movies and specials and is available in eight million homes. In 2000, the network established the Video Advantage Program to support the development and production of original Canadian music videos for emerging artists. With over 3.7 million impressions each month, the station’s website, www.cmt.ca, is Canada’s largest website dedicated to country music.

CMT and The New Country 95.3 are owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. Corus also owns Nelvana Limited, an internationally recognized producer and distributor of children’s programming and products. The Company’s other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.NV.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus’ website can be found at www.corusent.com/.