That segment will feature performances by show host Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride and The Judds. It's a given that fans across the nation will talk about those performances tomorrow. But, producer Rac Clark admits, the advance publicity and promotional value of those events is just as important, if not more. But our job is to put on a good television show that gets ratings. So if we can put on these events, we're doing our jobs.
Every awards show tries to do that.
The Country Music Association, for example, featured Jewel singing with Merle Haggard last year, and put 'N Sync together with Alabama. But, a number of industry executives agree, the West Coast-based ACM seems to have done a better job of that for tonight's show. Part of it is timing. The McGraw-Hill song came together just last week, after her label decided to release the song as a single. Asleep at The Wheel's Ray Benson was a major aid in his career, and was agreeable to adding the youngster.