CMT TO PREMIERE THE DIXIE CHICKS' "SHUT UP & SING" ON SATURDAY, MARCH 26

The Documentary, Which Explores the Country Group's 2003 Controversy, Premieres During CMT #1 MUSIC & A MOVIE

NASHVILLE - March 7, 2011- Love them or hate them, the Dixie Chicks were a country force to be reckoned with until it all came crashing down in 2003 when lead singer, Natalie Maines, uttered critical words towards then President George W. Bush that would forever change their lives and alter the group's success. With long lasting ramifications, the Dixie Chicks have still been all but banned from country radio and continue to fuel heated debate among country purists and free speech activists alike. For the first time, CMT is broadcasting the documentary SHUT UP & SING, which explores this controversy and the making of their 2006 album Taking the Long Way, as part of CMT #1 MUSIC & A MOVIE on Saturday, March 26 at 9:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., ET/PT.

SHUT UP & SING features footage from 2003 during the peak of the conflict, as well as footage of the group recording their critically-acclaimed album Taking The Long Way that featured the single "Not Ready To Make Nice" which took aim at the backlash.

CMT #1 MUSIC & A MOVIE combines movies and the hottest country music for a fun and informative look at No. 1 achievements in both the featured movie and of artists, past and present. CMT #1 MUSIC & A MOVIE is hosted by CMT RADIO LIVE's Cody Alan and Alecia Davis and airs bi-weekly on CMT.

CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and Heartland entertainment, reaching more than 91 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.