Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, who comprise one of country music’s hottest duos, Florida Georgia Line, are set to host the inaugural television broadcast of the AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS, airing live Monday, Dec. 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. With their high energy and larger-than-life personas, these superstars are sure to bring down the house when they take the stage for their first times as hosts. Broadcast live from the Music City Center in Nashville, TN, the two-hour show will honor the year’s best country music with awards, performances, special moments and additional surprises. Country music’s biggest stars will participate in the show and also pay tribute to the first-ever “NASH Icons” award winner.
AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS is based on country music’s longest-running radio countdown show, “American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks,” distributed by the Westwood One division of Cumulus and celebrating its 41st year. Launched in 1973, the radio show now airs on more than 280 radio stations in 155 markets, covering 90% of the country.
“Brian and Tyler are incredible artists and friends with undeniable chemistry that will make them the perfect hosts for the first-ever AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS,” said Mark Bracco, EVP, Programing and Development, dick clark productions.
Florida Georgia Line is continuing their record-breaking momentum with Gold-certified “Dirt,” the lead single from their highly anticipated sophomore album Anything Goes, slated for release on Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Republic Nashville). Already dominating with a No. 1 debut on the Country Digital Singles chart, “Dirt” shot to No. 1 on both the iTunes all-genre and Country charts in the U.S. and Canada, while also sitting atop the Country chart in Australia shortly after release. Exploding onto Country radio, Top 10-and-climbing “Dirt” earned the highest one-week add total in Country Aircheck history, in addition to rave reviews from critics nationwide embracing FGL's fresh sound. Inspired by the emotionally fueled song, the superstar duo recently launched the Dirt Campaign, partnering with the fundraising platform Omaze to benefit Habitat for Humanity, a global nonprofit, which creates affordable housing for low-income families. Amassing international appeal, FGL skyrocketed across genres with four consecutive, multi-week No. 1 smashes – Platinum-certified hits “Stay,” “Get Your Shine On,” “Round Here” and multi-Platinum “Cruise,” making them the only artist in history to join Brooks & Dunn in achieving this accolade. Breaking the record for the longest No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, “Cruise” has sold more than eight million downloads and is the best-selling digital Country single of all time (SoundScan). Producer Joey Moi is once again at the helm of the new music, following up FGL’s two-time Platinum debut “Here’s To The Good Times,” which has tallied over 17.6 million tracks sold worldwide. FGL penned more than half of the tracks on the project, including the BMI Pop Award-winning “Cruise” Remix and Platinum-certified TEEN CHOICE Award winner for Choice Country Song, “This Is How We Roll,” featuring Luke Bryan, the remix of which also features Jason Derulo. The duo has previously taken home ACA, AMA, ACM, Billboard, CMA and CMT Awards.
The AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro (CEO, dick clark productions), Mike Mahan (President, dick clark productions), Bracco, John Dickey (Executive Vice President of Content and Programming) Richard Godfrey (MTV EMAs), and Tom Forrest (CMT’s Crossroads) are executive producers. Baz Halpin is co-executive producer.
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About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is among the world's largest producers and proprietors of televised live event programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the “American Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards” and “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” Weekly television programming, includes SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, from 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group, and dick clark productions; as well as “Rising Star” and FOX’s upcoming game show, BOOM!, from Keshet DCP, the joint venture between Keshet International (KI), the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group, and DC Media, the parent company of dick clark productions (dcp). In 2014, dcp will debut the AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS (FOX), “Hollywood Film Awards” (CBS) and “The People Magazine Awards” (NBC). dcp also owns one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with more than 55 years of dcp's award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.
About Cumulus
Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) combines high-quality local programming with iconic, nationally syndicated media, sports and entertainment brands in order to deliver premium choices for listeners, provide substantial reach for advertisers and create opportunities for shareholders. Cumulus provides exclusive content that is fully distributed through approximately 460 owned-and-operated stations in 90 U.S. media markets (including eight of the top 10), more than 10,000 broadcast radio affiliates and numerous digital channels. Cumulus is well-positioned in the widening digital audio space through a significant stake in the Rdio digital music service, featuring 25 million songs on demand, in addition to custom playlists and exclusive curated channels. Cumulus is also the leading provider of country music and lifestyle content through its NASH brand, which will serve country fans through radio programming, NASH magazine, concerts, licensed products and television/video. For more information, visit www.cumulus.com.
