FAITH HILL TO PERFORM ON "THE 45th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS" FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS

NASHVILLE - The star-packed lineup for "The 45^th Annual CMA Awards" shines even brighter with today's announcement that former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Faith Hill will return to give her first performance on "Country Music's Biggest NightT" in five years. Hill will debut the new single from her forthcoming new album due out early next year.

"The 45^th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban, plus Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."    

Hill has won three CMA Awards, including Female Vocalist (2000), Music Video (1998 for "This Kiss"), and Vocal Event of the Year (1997 for "It's Your Love" with husband Tim McGraw). Her last performance on the CMA Awards was in 2006. Her last appearance at the event was in 2009, when she co-presented the Entertainer of the Year Award with McGraw.  

 

Tickets for "The 45^th Annual CMA Awards" are on sale and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster outlets; by calling (800) 745-3000; or at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, located at 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). Ticket prices for the CMA Awards start at $110 for Upper Level seating. Ticket prices include tax, but exclude applicable service fees. Purchase tickets early for the best available seats. In 2009 and 2010, the CMA Awards sold out in advance.

"The 45^th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Faith Hill Joins Teleflora for Super Bowl Splash

Faith Hill with actor Kevin Manwarren at the Teleflora Super Bowl commercial taping. photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Teleflora

By Bob Doerschuk
© 2011 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
Launching an ad campaign on the Super Bowl is like debuting your next single on the CMA Awards. There is no better forum to achieve maximum impact.
That’s one reason why Teleflora chose actor and Warner Bros. recording artist Faith Hill as its celebrity partner for the first in a projected series of floral arrangements to be featured in “The Collection by Faith Hill.”
“Faith Hill is a perfect fit for the Teleflora brand,” said Shawn Weidmann, President, Teleflora. “She is an entertainer who has broad appeal and transcends musical genres. Faith was someone that Teleflora had always wanted to work with. Following research conducted, our idea was solidified when Faith was voted the No. 1 most likable celebrity among our customers and florists.”
Hill combines the accessibility and personal appeal that’s at the core of Country Music stardom with a casual elegance that speaks easily to a broad range of consumers. Plus, the artist was able to connect to the idea of designing her own arrangements for Valentine’s Day initially and subsequently for other holidays and everyday occasions.
“I love flowers,” she said, in a “behind-the-scenes” video describing the making of “Help Me, Faith,” the Super Bowl XLV commercial. “I love receiving flowers. I always have. My mom was an incredibly gifted gardener and my dad as well. Unfortunately, I did not get the green thumb, but I certainly love trying to put together the most beautiful arrangements I can. It’s been fun making these arrangements for Teleflora.”
What makes the commercial work, though, is not only that it taps into Hill’s appeal, it also leads to a punch line that works precisely because it turns our appreciation of her image on its head through her dialog with actor Kevin Manwarren, who portrays a sound tech working with her in the studio. (Teleflora’s “Flower Coach” iPhone application, which tied into the theme of the commercial with an unexpected twist, also debuted. And Hill recently finished shooting the next spot for Teleflora in support of her collection tied to Mother’s Day.)
“I was constantly laughing because the two of them had such rapport with one another,” said director Bryan Buckley. “That’s what you dream about when you’re putting together a team like that. And it worked out.”
The Teleflora/Faith Hill partnership exemplifies how Country’s image can be used effectively. “We recognize the increased popularity of Country Music over the past few years with mainstream audiences,” said Weidmann. “Additionally, Country Music is equally appealing to men and women of all ages. By reaching out to this fan base, we had the opportunity to target men, who are the primary buyers at Valentine’s Day.
As the partnership progresses, we expect to reach more women buyers for Mother’s Day and everyday occasions.”
On the Web: www.FaithHill.com; www.Teleflora.com