TOBY KEITH ANNOUNCED AS HOST OF 3RD ANNUAL CRS MUSIC CITY JAM

Oct 9, 2006 TOBY KEITH ANNOUNCED AS HOST OF 3RD ANNUAL CRS MUSIC CITY JAM

The Academy of Country Music® and Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® have announced that Toby Keith will host and headline this year’s Music City Jam. Keith graciously takes over for previously announced host Brad Paisley who had to withdraw in anticipation of the arrival of a new baby during the same week as the event. The Music City Jam will take place as part of the Country Radio Seminar (CRS-38) activities on Wednesday, February 28 at the Nashville Convention Center. It is sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and United Stations Radio Networks. "Nine-time Academy of Country Music Award winner, singer, songwriter, performer, actor and record label owner, Toby Keith, will host this year’s kick-off event, Music City Jam," announced Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. "For Toby to immediately fill in for Brad Paisley who was previously announced to host this event is another example of how dedicated he is to this format. He has stepped into an arena helping nurture new talent and by taking control of his own career with Show Dog Records, he in turn makes us all take account of ourselves. I can’t wait to see Toby perform – he always rocks the house."  "Toby Keith has been a frequent participant at CRS," said Ed Salamon, Country Radio Broadcasters' Executive Director. "It was during his keynote address at CRS-36 that he first hinted that he might be creating his own label and Toby attended the CRS-37 opening ceremonies to accept an award from the US Department of Veterans' Affairs. We are glad to know that he will be involved again in this major role at CRS-38."  Toby Keith's ability to communicate honestly and directly with millions of ordinary Americans is one of his greatest attributes. His approach to creating the album, White Trash With Money, from the impossibly direct songwriting effort to enlisting a new co-producer, reveals an artist with the self assurance to take real risks. "Get Drunk And Be Somebody," the album's first smash single, is a good example of Keith's dry humor and observational eye. "A Little Too Late" is bit of straightforward songwriting that enjoys as lavish a production as anything he's ever released. And "Crash Here Tonight," which he calls the most tender love song of his career, shows just how far across the music spectrum he's able to comfortably range. Keith has been heralded as Billboard's top selling Country artist, positioned in a major national television campaign for Ford, opened his own chain of I Love This Bar & Grill restaurants, filmed his first major motion picture for Paramount and launched a ground-up country label, among so many other milestones and accolades. But for him, and for the millions who will listen to his new album, the real story is in the music. CRS-38 is presented by the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.Ticket Information is available at www.crb.org. Early Bird Registration is open now for $499(if received by Nov. 30, 2006). The Country Radio Broadcasters is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization founded in 1969 and the principal entity that brings Country radio together with the Country music industry for learning opportunities that promote growth. The CRB is headquartered in Nashville Tennessee. For more information on The Country Radio Seminar, The Country Radio and DJ Hall of Fame, or any of the other Country Radio Broadcasters’ initiatives, please visit www.crb.org.  The Academy of Country Music, an artist and industry-driven organization, exists to produce a world-class network television awards show, and its associated events, to provide the financial resources to ensure the on-going charitable work of its Charitable Fund.The Academy, which is comprised of more than 4,400 professional members and more than 35,000 associate members, is headquartered in Burbank, Calif. For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and the Academy of Country Music, please visit www.acmcountry.com.