Today the Academy of Country Music is announcing that the 43rd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS ceremony honoring country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.


This is the first year the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS will take place on a Sunday, the third year the show will be based at MGM Grand and the sixth year the show will be held in Las Vegas.


"Las Vegas is an ideal place for the Academy to showcase country music's best and we couldn't be happier to have the show on a Sunday night," said Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "We look forward to returning to the MGM Grand for the show and -- as has become our tradition -- we have multiple nights of country music scheduled on Fremont Street, a star-studded Motorcycle Ride and our world famous post awards concert, the All-Star Jam. It is truly Country's Night To Shine(R)."