KENNY CHESNEY, REBA McENTIRE AND MONTGOMERY GENTRY ADDED AS PERFORMERS ON THE "40TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS," TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, TUESDAY, MAY 17 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Terri Clark, Emily Proctor, Rob Schneider & Neal McCoy And The Warren Brothers Set To Present Awards

Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire and Montgomery Gentry have been set to perform at the 40TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Tuesday, May 17 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. They will join previously announced performers Big & Rich, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and George Strait. Terri Clark, Emily Procter, Rob Schneider & Neil McCoy and The Warren Brothers have been set to present.

Chesney is nominated for five awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year. He also has two nominations for producing -- for Vocal Event of the Year (the single "When the Sun Goes Down") and Album of the Year (the album When the Sun Goes Down). Chesney has won four Academy of Country Music Awards in the past, including Top New Male Vocalist, Top Male Vocalist and two for Single Record of the Year. If he wins Entertainer of the Year, he will be eligible for the Merle Haggard Award, an honor given to those artists who win the Academy's triple crown of Top New Artist, Top Male/Female Artist and Entertainer of the Year.

McEntire, who has hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards a record seven times, will perform as part of this year's telecast. In 2002, she was awarded the first annual Academy of Country Music/Home Depot Humanitarian Award for her outstanding philanthropic work. In 2003, the Academy of Country Music awarded her the title of "Leading Lady" in recognition of her status as the all-time leading winner in the Top Female Vocalist category.

Clark has two nominations this year -- one for Top Female Vocalist and another for Video of the Year (for "Girls Lie Too"). She is currently on the Two Hats and Redhead tour with McEntire and Brad Paisley.

Procter stars on the hit CBS drama "CSI: Miami." Schneider stars in McCoy's video for "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On." McCoy is nominated for this year's fourth annual Academy of Country Music/Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The Warren Brothers are nominated for Top Vocal Duo this year.

The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 with a mission to support, promote, and enhance the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The Academy, which is comprised of more than 3,800 professional members and a newly established Associate Membership, is headquartered in Burbank, Calif.

THE 40TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is produced by dick clark productions, inc. Dick Clark and R.A. Clark are the executive producers; Barry Adelman, the producer.

RATING: To Be Announced