Hosting the Awards Show a Record Number of 6 Times Over a Span of 3 Decades; and being the ACM All-Time Leading Winner in the “Top Female Vocalist” Category

The 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Show Telecast Airs Wednesday, May 21st, 2003, Live From Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

BURBANK, CA, May 20, 2003 — Reba McEntire will be honored in a “orange” carpet presentation, and receive “The Revere Bowl” exclusively designed by Tiffany & Co. at the 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Show, “Country’s Night To Shine,” in recognition of her record number of hosting appearances on the telecast, it was announced today by Gayle Holcomb, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Academy of Country Music. Reba also earns the well-deserved dual role of “Leading Lady,” for being the ACM’s all-time leading 7-time winner in the “Top Female Vocalist” category.

“Reba has a long and diversified history with the Academy, and we are thrilled her hosting our show for the first time in Las Vegas also sets a show record,” remarked Gayle Holcomb, Vice-Chairman, ACM Board of Directors. “When the Academy reflects on Reba’s involvement with us throughout the years as both a show host and female vocalist, it becomes clear why she is undeniably our ‘Leading Lady.’”

Reba’s hosting duties for the Academy span three decades including the ’80s, ‘90s and new millennium. She has hosted or co-hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards telecast twice in each decade including:1986 and 1988; 1993 and 1994; 2002 and 2003, for an unprecedented total of six times.

Reba was the first recipient of “The Home Depot Humanitarian Award” last year and will present the award as part of her hosting duties this year. In addition to being a veteran host for the show, Reba is a 10-time ACM award recipient and on the Top 10 list of winners in the Academy’s history. She held the title of “Top Female Vocalist” from 1984 to1987, more consecutive years than any other female artist, and re-claimed the title again in 1990, 1991 and 1994. Her past ACM honors also include “Entertainer of the Year,” in 1994; and two “Video of the Year” awards for “Whoever’s In New England,” and “Is There Life Out There?” in 1986 and 1991 respectively.

She is the most successful female artist in the country genre with over 50 million records sold. Reba has shown her non-stop talent in virtually every capacity of the entertainment industry, with hits on radio, Broadway, television and film, and has also written an autobiography and essay collection that have collectively sold over one million copies. Reba, her self-titled television sitcom, is currently in its second successful season, and will return to the WB network for a third season in the fall of 2003.

The 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, “Country’s Night To Shine,” hosted by Reba McEntire, will air live on the CBS Television Network on Wednesday, May 21st, 2003 at 8:00 PM EST / Delayed PST. The West Coast based Academy, for the first time, will hold the highly-rated award show at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. As previously announced, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, George Strait, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Darryl Worley and Wynonna are performing on the show. George Strait will be receiving the “Gene Weed Special Achievement Award;” Alabama will be receiving the “Pioneer Award” (The Cliffie.) Lonestar will perform a tribute for special guests former POWS SPC Shoshana Johnson, PFC Patrick Miller, CWO Ronald Young, Jr., and CWO David Williams.

Eric Close (Without A Trace), Kellie Coffey, Emerson Drive, Vince Gill, Jennifer Hanson, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Mark Miller (Sawyer Brown), Wayne Newton, Joe Nichols, Penn & Teller, Pinmonkey, Blake Shelton, Trick Pony, Karri Turner (JAG), Phil Vassar and Lee Ann Womack are previously announced presenters. NASCAR legend Tony Stewart is introducing the Diamond Rio performance.

The nominees for the second annual The Home Depot Humanitarian Award are Brooks & Dunn, Lonestar and Wynonna. This is the only fan-voted award on the telecast. Voting for this year’s award has begun on The Home Depot’s website at: www.homedepot.com/acm and will continue into the first two hours of the May 21st show. The winner will be announced during the final hour of the CBS telecast.

The 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions. Dick Clark and Al Schwartz are executive producers. R. A. Clark and Barry Adelman produce the show. Ron Weed is a co-producer.

Tickets have been selling fast for the star-studded event. A limited number of silver tickets are still available for purchase for $300 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino box office in person or via phone from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 702/632-7580 or 877/632-7400 or at www.mandalaybay.com. Tickets may also be purchased through the local TicketMaster in Las Vegas, 702/474-4000 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Post Awards Reception & All-Star Jam available to Gold ($350) and Silver ($300) ticket holders only.

For more information about the Academy of Country Music as well as Reba’s history as an ACM show host, nominee, performer and 10-time ACM Award winner, please visit: www.acmcountry.com