CMT Counts Down Country Music's Biggest Stories in the Yearend Special 'CMT 20 Biggest Headlines of 2004'

Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Reba, Toby Keith, Gretchen Wilson, Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich, Jimmy Buffett, Keith Urban Among Featured Newsmakers . Veteran Newswoman Diane Sawyer Guests

NASHVILLE, Dec. 2. 2004 /PRNewswire/ -- CMT looks back at 2004's top country music stories and their newsmakers for a countdown to the top story of the year on CMT 20 BIGGEST HEADLINES OF 2004 premiering Saturday, Dec. 18 at 9:00- 10:00 PM, ET/PT.* Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Reba, Toby Keith, Gretchen Wilson, Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich, Jimmy Buffett, and Keith Urban among others are featured. Celebrity guest commentators include Diane Sawyer, Melissa Rivers of red carpet fame, the Young and the Restless' Michelle Stafford, comedian Bill Engvall, journalists and radio personalities.


"I'm sorry Faith, but I may just have to move in on Tim. Do you think he likes older women?" teases news personality Diane Sawyer about one of 2004's top country music newsmakers Tim McGraw. "He's is such a wonderful man. He's so gifted. It's a combination of the talent and the mystery, and I'm just such a sucker for a guy whose heart stays right in his eyes at all times. Oh, I wish I didn't like Faith so much," adds Sawyer.


CMT 20 BIGGEST HEADLINES chronicles the year's amazing collaborations, Hollywood crossovers, politics, award-winners, chart-toppers and legends on the one-hour year-end special featuring the top newsmakers. CMT 20 BIGGEST HEADLINES OF 2004 takes a look back at the year that was, a banner year for country music, from the emergence of the "Muzik Mafia," to the involvement of country artists in the presidential campaign, to enduring legends as well as the new performers that realized breakout success.


For more information on "CMT 20 Biggest Headlines," visit CMT.com. http://www.cmt.com/shows/


CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 76.9 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at http://www.cmt.com/ .


*EDITORS: CMT 20 BIGGEST HEADLINES OF 2004 premieres Saturday, Dec. 18 at 9:00 PM Eastern; 8:00 PM, Central; 10:00 PM, Mountain; 9:00 PM, Pacific.


Source: CMT