CMT Award Noms., A Word From Pres. Brian Philips

The final nominees for the 2010 CMT Music Awards will be revealed tomorrow (5/11) morning exclusively on People.com starting at 8 AM/CT. Mercury recording artist Laura Bell Bundy and CMT’s Evan Farmer will do the honors. And more nominations will be announced later in the day on CMT.com. The top nominees in all categories, except Video of the Year, will be posted on People.com, along with a video featuring Bundy and Farmer making the official announcement. Fans will be able to vote online at CMT.com through June 8 to determine the winners.

Hosted by Kid Rock, the 2010 CMT Music Awards will air live on Wednesday, June 9 and will feature performances from Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, with more to be announced.

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An update from CMT Pres. Brian Philips:

Greetings from 330 Commerce Street, where I am delighted to say that power has been restored and our CMT team is back!  As were many of our downtown business partners, CMT was without power all last week.  Fortunately, through remote operations, we were able to keep CMT on the air and on schedule, in 90 million homes, throughout the disaster.

Many of you have kindly asked how CMT was affected by the floods: Most importantly, all CMT/MTVN Nashville employees are safe and accounted for, although a few of our families suffered widespread damage and loss to their homes.  In addition to CMT’s downtown power loss, which affected every aspect of our production, we experienced extensive damage to our warehouse facilities, including the loss of state-of-the-art television production vehicles.

We’ve always known the people of Tennessee to be extraordinarily caring, but their strength and generous spirit during this difficult time has been inspiring to witness.  It was rewarding to see CNN and other national media pick up on this theme, and use it to define Tennessee to the world.  Our hearts are with all in our area who continue to suffer hardship.

Like many of you this past week, our staffers have volunteered tirelessly with Hands On Nashville to begin helping people restore lives.  As a network, CMT has directed viewers on-air and online to give donations via CMT One Country to organizations which will help Tennessee rebuild.

We’ve decided that the single greatest contribution that we, as an organization, can make to the city of Nashville is the bold continuation of plans for the 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS.  Broadcasting live from the Bridgestone Arena on June 9, the Awards Show, coinciding with the CMA Music Fest, will provide a national platform for Nashville and the music community to demonstrate its recovery and celebrate its resilience.  These days will also bring in much needed commerce to help the city get back on its feet. We’re also developing other plans to support ongoing relief and recovery, more Awards Show-related news to follow soon.

Although CMT seemingly remained unchanged, broadcasting last week with no interruption, we were indeed immeasurably changed by the surging waters which affected Music City and neighboring communities.  We’ve never been prouder to live in the ‘Volunteer State’.  We look forward to showing off our amazing city and getting back to what we do best — throwing the best live music party in town, this June. Hope to see you there!

Thanks, BP
Brian Philips| CMT | President |