In 2005, for the first time in its history, the Country Music Awards will not be held in Music City. The Country Music Association announced today that they're moving the awards show to New York City next year. The show will be broadcast live at Madison Square Garden on November 15 on CBS. "The Country Music Association is a true pioneer in the music industry, having successfully established country music as a leading genre," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, "and we're going to take this event to a whole new level. New York City has a proven track record of hosting the biggest and most-watched events around the globe, including the 2002 NFL Kick-off in Times Square, the 2003 GRAMMY Awards and most recently the 2004 Republican National Convention. New York City is the No.1 media market, which will not only strengthen country music's worldwide recognition, but will also showcase the 'World's Second Home' to a whole new worldwide audience."

"This will be country music's biggest night on the world's biggest stage," added Kix Brooks, President of CMA's Board of Directors and half of multi-platinum duo Brooks & Dunn. "Make no mistake, we are not leaving our traditional home behind. We are taking Nashville with us to the city of New York."