NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES LUKE BRYAN, ERIC CHURCH, THOMPSON SQUARE, AND CHRIS YOUNG WILL PERFORM ON "THE 45th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"

NASHVILLE - Nominees Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Thompson Square, andChris Young have joined the performance lineup for "The 45^th Annual CMA Awards." Including the previously-announced The Band Perry, this will be first time since 2008 that all five nominees for CMA New Artist of the Year will perform on "Country Music's Biggest Night(tm)."

"The 45^th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville,Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry,Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration "You and Tequila," Rascal Flatts andNatasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet "Easy," and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."    

Bryan is nominated this year for New Artist of the Year. His current album, tailgates & tanlines, was recently certified Gold by the RIAA, and features the smash hit single "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)," which has sold more than one million downloads.  

Church is nominated for New Artist of the Year. His current album, the Gold-certified Chief, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart earlier this year, and features the Gold-certified single "Homeboy" and his current hit "Drink in My Hand."   

Thompson Square received two CMA nominations this year, New Artist and Vocal Duo of the Year. Their self-titled debut album features their Platinum-certified No. 1 hit "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," which has sold more than 1.5 million digital downloads, and their current single "I Got You."

Young is nominated for New Artist of the Year. His current album Neon debuted at No. 4 on the BillboardTop 200 chart earlier this year, and features his Gold-certified single (and fourth consecutive No. 1 hit) "Tomorrow" as well as his current single "You."

Tickets for "The 45^th Annual CMA Awards" are on sale and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster outlets; by calling (800) 745-3000; or at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, located at 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). Ticket prices for the CMA Awards start at $110 for Upper Level seating. Ticket prices include tax, but exclude applicable service fees. Purchase tickets early for the best available seats. In 2009 and 2010, the CMA Awards sold out in advance.

"The 45^th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, andDavid Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.