BLAKE SHELTON HOSTS THE "2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR SPECIAL" PREMIERING SATURDAY, APRIL 5

Viewers Vote Online At CMT.com for Winner of VIDEO OF THE YEAR

NASHVILLE � March 26, 2008 � In anticipation of the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, COMEDY VIDEO OF THE YEAR nominee Blake Shelton gives fans a closer look at the eight videos nominated for VIDEO OF THE YEAR when he hosts the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR SPECIAL. Featuring appearances by Little Big Town and GONE COUNTRY's Julio Iglesias Jr., as well as a surprise appearance (via telephone) by Reba McEntire, the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR SPECIAL premieres Saturday, April 5 at 11:00 p.m., ET/PT.

"When CMT asked me to host the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR SPECIAL, I gladly accepted, but what I didn't know was they wanted my input on how to run the whole dang Awards Show," said Shelton. "Watch the special and you'll see some behind the scenes action that you would never expect to be happening � you won't believe the conditions and restraints I had to work under."

The eight videos nominated in the VIDEO OF THE YEAR category include Brad Paisley's "Online", Carrie Underwood's "Wasted"; Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink"; LeAnn Rimes' "Nothin' Better To Do"; Rascal Flatts' "Take Me There"; Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You"; Sugarland's "Stay"; Taylor Swift's "Our Song". The final four nominees for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS airing live on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT*, and fans can vote at CMT.com, as well as via mobile phone, throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the final award of the night.

Multi-platinum Warner Bros. recording artist Blake Shelton will release Pure BS Deluxe Edition on May 6, which includes Shelton's current hit "Home" and previously unreleased material. Shelton's hits run the gamut from the sweet sentiments of his six-week No. 1 debut single, "Austin," to the tear-jerker three-week No. 1 "The Baby," and then the tongue-in-cheek four-week No. 1 "Some Beach." Shelton's numerous No. 1 videos include "Ol' Red," "Heavy Liftin'," "Some Beach," "Goodbye Time," "Nobody But Me," "Don't Make Me" and his most recent "The More I Drink," which is nominated for COMEDY VIDEO OF THE YEAR at the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS. In addition, Shelton's quick-wit and charismatic personality earned him a position as a celebrity choirmaster on the hit reality show Clash of the Choirs on NBC.

Hosted by music's hottest father and daughter, Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS air live from Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT* on CMT and CMT.com. Including performances by Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn with a special performance by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS continues to be the genre's only fan-voted awards.

CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

*EDITORS: The 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere LIVE on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 PM, Eastern and 7:00 PM, Central; and at 9:00 PM, Mountain and 8:00 PM, Pacific (tape delayed).