TRACE ADKINS AND KRISTIN CHENOWETH RETURN AS HOSTS OF "AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS" THIS DECEMBER ON FOX

Multi-platinum recording artist Trace Adkins and Emmy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth return as hosts of the third annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, airing from Las Vegas this December on FOX. The awards show will take place at Mandalay Bay. Nominations to be announced soon.

"The ACAs honor the best and brightest of country music, from the hotshot breakthrough artists to the icons," said Adkins. "I'm looking forward to cutting loose again with Kristin, who's quite the firecracker comedienne, while we also take viewers through an evening of great music and awards."

"I'm excited to return to the ACA stage with Trace and his big personality and even bigger boots," said Chenoweth. "We had a blast last year and I plan to pull out all the stops to make sure everyone has a good time!"

The AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is the only country music awards show that gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has.

The second annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS featured performances by Alabama, Eli Young Band, Toby Keith, Pistol Annies, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Thompson Square and Chris Young, as well as by co-hosts Adkins and Chenoweth. The special also featured appearances by Lauren Alaina, Kyle Busch, Rodney Carrington, Bill Engvall, Hunter Hayes, the JaneDear Girls, Miranda Lambert, Jamie Little,Love & Theft,Larry Mahan, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, Josh Turner, Storme Warren and the men of "Pawn Stars" (Corey Harrison, Richard Harrison, Rick Harrison and Austin Russell).

With his trademark baritone and wry sense of humor, Trace Adkins is one of country music's most accomplished entertainers. With total sales surpassing 10 million albums, a long list of hit singles and platinum albums, he is also a television personality, actor and author. His hits include "Just Fishin'" "Every Light in the House," "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "You're Gonna Miss This," "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" and "All I Ask For Anymore." A Grammy Award nominee and member of the Grand Ole Opry, Adkins is currently on the road with his Songs & Stories Tour in support of his tenth studio album, "Proud To Be Here." He also is the host of the cable television series, "Great American Heroes." This will be Adkins' third time hosting the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS.

Emmy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth is an accomplished singer and actress of stage, television and film. She recently completed a North American concert tour featuring music from her latest album, "Some Lessons Learned," as well as an array of her most memorable songs and Broadway show tunes. She is known for her Tony Award-nominated turn as the original "Glinda," the good witch, in Broadway's "Wicked" and her show-stealing, Tony Award-winning performance in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." She has received two Emmy Award nominations for her role as "April Rhodes" on the hit series GLEE. She won an Emmy Award for her role as "Olive Snook" on "Pushing Daisies." She also starred in "GCB" and will next be seen on "The Good Wife."

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2012, "Kids' Choice Awards"). Paul Flattery, Tisha Fein and Fletcher Foster serve as producers; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey will direct the special.