AP Photo/Kathy Willens
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
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
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.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
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.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
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.
CBS
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.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
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.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
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.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
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
AP Photo/Stuart Ramson
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.
AP Photo/Stuart Ramson
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.
CBS
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.
AP Photo/Stuart Ramson
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.
AP Photo/Stuart Ramson
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.
AP Photo/Stuart Ramson
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.
AP Photo/Stuart Ramson
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.
AP Photo/Stuart Ramson
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.
