Performers Set For 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards

LAS VEGAS, NV -- The Academy of Country Music today announced that country music superstars Rodney Atkins, Dolly Parton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood will perform as part of the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

The ceremony honoring country music's top talent and the industry's hottest emerging talent will be broadcast live from MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

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Last year's Top New Male Vocalist winner, Rodney Atkins, is nominated for six awards including Top Male Vocalist. He is also nominated for Song of the Year and Video of the Year for "Watching You" and Album of the Year for If You're Going Through Hell. In addition, Atkins received nominations for writing "Watching You" and for producing the accompanying album.

The legendary Dolly Parton will also hit the stage at this year's show. Throughout her illustrious career, Parton has been nominated for 40 Academy of Country Music Awards and has won 8. She is currently celebrating the release of her latest album, Backwoods Barbie, Parton's first mainstream country album in 17 years.

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Platinum-selling duo and former Top New Vocal Duo winner Sugarland is nominated in four categories including Top Vocal Duo, as well as Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year for the #1 single "Stay." Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush both received nominations for producing the track and video, and Nettles for writing the single. The duo releases a third album in September and will debut a new single in May.

This year Taylor Swift received three nominations, which include both Top Female Vocalist and Top New Female Vocalist. She also received an Album of the Year nomination for her self-titled album Taylor Swift. Swift is currently on tour in support of that album.

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Carrie Underwood is nominated for Top Female Vocalist. Last year, she took home this honor as well as Album of the Year for Some Hearts and Video of the Year for "Before He Cheats." Underwood has recently announced plans to extend her sold out Carnival Ride tour through June 2008.