Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes Head ACM Additions

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Toby Keith performs onstage during the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/ACMA/Getty Images for ACMA)


May 9, 2008 — The list of performers for the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards continues to grow. Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes and Kellie Pickler have been added to the roster for the Las Vegas production, along with Kenny Chesney and George Strait, who’ll perform "Shiftwork" live for the first time.

Kenny and George are in the running with that song for Vocal Event of the Year, one of 11 of Kenny’s field-leading 11 nominations. Other new names who’ve been added to the lineup during the presentation include Clint Black, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Trisha Yearwood, Jewel, Clay Walker, Randy Owen, John Rich, Little Big Town and Emerson Drive vocalist Brad Mates. Non-singers who’ll appear include Criss Angel, Kaley Cuoco and Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw.

Kellie’s performance will introduce her new single, "Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful." Sugarland, whose performance was previously announced, will also debut its new single, though the official title hasn’t yet been released.

Others who were already on the bill include Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Rodney Atkins, Garth Brooks, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert and Montgomery Gentry. Reba McEntire will host the ACMs for the 10th time in her career May 18.

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