FIRST PRESENTERS ANNOUNCED FOR "THE 43rd ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"

The excitement is building as the first group of presenters are announced for "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and airing live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The first celebrities announced as Awards presenters during "Country Music's Biggest Night" are NASCAR superstar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of ABC's "The Middle," Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Julianne Hough; nominee Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for "Boots On"); nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of the Year); Kellie Pickler; CMA Award winner LeAnn Rimes; and ABC News' Robin Roberts, co-anchor of "Good Morning America" and host of the upcoming "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville" ABC television special (airing Nov. 10 at 10:01 p.m., ET).

Performers already announced include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Dave Mathews, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band, with more to be named soon.

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David 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.