Countdown to CMA Awards

The CMA Awards celebration gets underway with the 2008 Chevy CMA Awards Kickoff Concert at the Sommet Center Plaza in Nashville, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m.

Heidi Newfield will get the party started with her 4 p.m. show, followed by Rodney Atkins at 4:45, the Eli Young Band at 5:45 and Kevin Costner and Modern West, featuring the famed film star, wrapping up the day at 6:30. The event is free and open to the public. The 42nd Annual CMA Awards takes place Wednesday, Nov. 12, from the Sommet Center in Nashville, and airs on ABC-TV at 8 p.m. ET.

• November 11, 2008
• story by Bob Paxman
• CMA artwork courtesy CMA