"2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS" ADDS PERFORMERS FOR NATIONWIDE INSURANCE STAGE

"American Idol" Alums Lauren Alaina, Casey James and Scotty McCreery to Perform Jana Kramer, Kip Moore and The Farm Will Also Rock the Stage

NASHVILLE - May 31, 2012 - The 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS promises to be a great night of live music with the addition of Lauren Alaina, Casey James, Jana Kramer, Scotty McCreery, Kip Moore and The Farm as performers on the Nationwide Insurance stage. For the fifth year in a row, Nationwide Insurance will be prominently featured throughout the night on a branded performance stage resembling its blue frame logo. The 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will air LIVE on Wednesday, June 6 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com.

As part of their sponsorship, Nationwide will award the Nationwide Insurance On Your Side(R) Award to country music's best new live act as determined by the fans. Fans can watch their videos and vote through June 4th at CMT.com for nominees Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Jake Owen and Thompson Square. 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will reveal the winner during the live show.

Hosted by Toby Keith and Kristen Bell, the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will include performances by Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Hank Williams, Jr. and Zac Brown Band. Fans can vote online at CMT.com, and on their mobile device at CMT Mobile or the CMT Insider app available on iPhone, iPad and Android now through June 4 to determine the winners. The five finalists for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com, CMT mobile, on the CMT Insider app and via text message throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner.

Michael Dempsey will executive produce the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS alongside director Joe DeMaio. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT.

For more information as it becomes available, follow CMT's new Twitter handle (@CMT), hashtag #CMTawards and become a fan of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS on Facebook.

CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 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.