Welcome To New York

New York Stock Exchange CEO John Thane, center, applauds as country music star Kix Brooks presses the button for the opening bell signaling the start of the trading day Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, in New York. Brook's singing partner, Ronnie Dunn is hidden behind him. Brooks & Dunn host the Country Music Association's Awards Nov. 15, 2005, at Madison Square Garden.

Grand Ole Carnegie

Country music great Vince Gill, right, gestures to Little Jimmy Dickens, left, on stage during the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall in New York Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. The concert was part of the Opry's 80th anniversary and falls on the eve of the Country Music Awards, which are being held in New York.

Country music singers Alan Jackson, left, and Vince Gill sing at the end of the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall concert in New York Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. The event was part of the Opry's 80th anniversary and falls on the eve of the Country Music Awards ceremony in New York.

CMA Award nominee Martina McBride sings during the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall concert in New York Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. The concert was one of a number of events leading up to the awards show at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005.

Country singer Alan Jackson tips his hat after a song during the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall in New York Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. For the first time in 39 years, the Country Music Association uprooted its awards show from its traditional home in Nashville, Tenn., to shine in New York's international spotlight.

Alison Krauss performs during the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall concert in New York Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. The event was part of the Opry's 80th anniversary and falls on the eve of the Country Music Awards held at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Country music singer Trace Adkins sings at Carnegie Hall in New York Monday, Nov. 14, 2005. The event was held in advance of the Countrty Music Association Awards in New York on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005.

Singers take the stage during the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall concert on Nov. 14, 2005. While the CMA Awards are in New York for the first time, the Grand Ole Opry has been at Carnegie Hall before. Opry legend Minnie Pearl joined Ernest Tubb there in 1947 and performed with its stars there again in 1961.

Nominee Reception

British music legend Sir Cliff Richard is pictured at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine Monday, 2005 in New York.

CMA Award nominee Billy Currington smiles for photographers at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine, in New York, Nov 14, 2005. The event was one of many designed to showcase and enhance country's popularity in the big city.

The Van Zant brothers, Donnie, left, and Johnny, have fun with photographers at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine, in New York, Nov 14, 2005. They are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year.

Julie Roberts smiles for photographers at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine, in New York, Nov 14, 2005.

CMA Awards host and nominee Kix Brooks with Miranda Lambert pose for photographers at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine in New York, Nov 14, 2005.

Aaron Benward, left, and Scott Reeves, of the band Blue County, pose for photographers at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine in New York, Nov 14, 2005.

Singer Lee Ann Womack and her daughter, Aubrey, pose for photographers at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception. The star-studded event was hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine on Nov. 14, 2005 in New York.

Faith Hill smiles for photographers at the 39th annual Country Music Association Awards nominee reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style Magazine in New York, Nov 14, 2005. The CMA Awards ceremony is being held outside of Nashville, Tenn., for the first time.