The Academy of Country Music announced today the return of Reba McEntire as host of the 43rd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, an event which honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Reba McEntire is a country music legend who has been delivering number one songs for more than 20 years and has sold more than 50 million records over the course of her incredible career. Her name and voice are synonymous with country music. In 2001, after conquering the country music world many times over, McEntire set her sights on Broadway, where she starred in the hugely successful revival of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun." Soon after, she began work on her hit WB sitcom, "Reba," for which she was awarded a 2001 People's Choice Award and a 2004 Golden Globe nomination.
Reba's current album, "Duets," debuted at the top of the pop and country charts in late 2007 and has already earned a top two single and platinum sales status. "Reba #1's," her compilation album, celebrated platinum certification in 2006 and is a celebration of a career that has included 33 #1 songs, 29 albums, multiple awards and countless shows and performances.
"I am celebrating my tenth anniversary of hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards," said Reba McEntire. "I'm excited to honor country music's greatest talent at this spectacular awards show."
This year's telecast, which is produced by Dick Clark Productions, Inc., will mark the unprecedented tenth time that McEntire has hosted the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. She has won 11 Academy of Country Music Awards and has 41 nominations total. In 2001 she was awarded the first annual Academy of Country Music / The Home Depot Humanitarian Award for her outstanding philanthropic work. In 2003, the Academy of Country Music awarded her the title of "Leading Lady" in recognition of her status as the all-time leading winner in the Top Female Vocalist category with seven wins.
