THE SHEFRIN COMPANY 4/20/2000 Talent Added to 35th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

One of the most successful duos in music history, The Judds, join the line up of previously announced performers singing their current Top 30 hit, "Stuck in Love," on the 35th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards airing live May 3 on CBS-TV. Opening the show will be George Strait and Alan Jackson performing their current chart hit duet, "Murder On Music Row." Other previously announced performers singing their current hits include Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Collin Raye and Hank Williams Jr., who joins Alan Jackson on their duet of "The Blues Man." Other performers include Asleep at the Wheel, Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, George Jones, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, Sawyer Brown, Chely Wright and the special's host, Dolly Parton. Newcomer Nominees performing their current hits include Gary Allan, Jessica Andrews, Chad Brock, Julie Reeves and Chalee Tennison. Additional Newcomer performances will come from Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, SHeDAISY and Yankee Grey. As he has in recent years, Dick Clark will offer live reports from backstage during the show interviewing many of the winners. Award presenters already set for the show include Trace Adkins, JAG's Catherine Bell, The Bellamy Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt, Dixie Chicks, Bill Engvall, Janie Fricke, Ty Herndon, The Kinleys, Tracy Lawrence, Danni Leigh, Patty Loveless, Neal McCoy, Marie Osmond, Buck Owens, Patti Page, Oscar-winner Billy Bob Thornton, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker, Bryan White, The Wilkinsons, Clay Walker, Mark Wills, Lee Ann Womack and Dwight Yoakam. During the awards special, awards in 12 categories -- Entertainer of the Year, Top Male and Female Vocalists, Top Vocal Duo or Group, Top New Male and Female Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo or Group, Top Vocal Event, Single Record, Song, Album and Video of the Year -- will be presented. Additionally, the Academy's prestigious Pioneer Award will honor a Country Music legend. The telecast is a dick clark productions, inc. presentation, with Clark and Al Schwartz serving as Executive Producers. Producers are R.A. (Rac) Clark and Barry Adelman. Co-Producer is Ron Weed. Director is Glen Weiss. Writers are Barry Adelman and Robert Arthur, with special material written by Buz Kohan. ACM Talent Producer is Fran Boyd. Music Director is John Hobbs. Robert Keene is Production Designer. Executive in Charge of Production is Nancy May. Talent Executive is Melissa Trueblood. Executive in Charge is Fran La Maina.