Jamie Foxx takes the stage with Rascal Flatts at 'The 41st Annual CMA Awards'

By M&C News Oct 21, 2007, 16:39 GMT

US actor Jamie Foxx gestures on stage during a press event in a Tokyo theatre, Japan, 13 October 2007, following the first screening of his movie \'The Kingdom\' in Japan. Foxx is in Tokyo to promote Peter Berg\'s latest movie, co-produced by Academy Award nominated director Michael Mann. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Actor/singer Jamie Foxx is set to take the stage with reigning CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year Rascal Flatts for a duet performance during "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on the ABC Television Network.

Entertainer of the Year nominees Rascal Flatts will kick off  "Country Music's Biggest Night” with the title track from their third consecutive No. 1 album, ‘Still Feels Good.’ The group will take the stage again later in the evening for a performance of “She Goes All the Way” with Foxx. The duet with Foxx was penned by Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney and is also on the album.

Foxx’s relation dates back to a decade long friendship with LeVox. They were introduced by Foxx's manager Marcus King and were roommates for a brief time in the late 1990s while LeVox was pursuing a music career on the west coast. They reestablished their friendship after running into each other at the 2007 Grammy Awards and have been in regular contact since, which resulted in the duet.

"Jamie is an incredible talent and we were thrilled he took us up on our invitation to join us on the song," said LeVox. "He said he'd do it if we would sing on one of his records, so it's a pretty good swap. He came to Nashville just after finishing his comedy tour to work on it with us."

"It was an easy song to write once we had the first few lines and it's a really wonderful thing to have Jamie join us on the record," said DeMarcus. "We run into him at awards show and he always tells us how much he enjoys the music and how proud he is of Gary. We sent the song to him early this year and he said he'd love to do it."

"This is destined to be the sort of one-of-a-kind performance the CMA Awards are known for," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. "When there is a meaningful and tangible connection between artists from seemingly diverse musical styles, bringing them together on the CMA Awards creates magical moments that resonate with our audience and expand awareness of the format."

Rascal Flatts was nominated for Entertainer and Vocal Group of the Year. The Entertainer of the Year category has only been won by two groups in CMA Awards history: Alabama (1982, 1983, 1984) and Dixie Chicks (2000). Rascal Flatts has swept the Vocal Group of the Year category the past four years.
 
Their album, ‘Still Feels Good,’ was released Sept. 25 and posted first week sales of 547,000 units, making it the week's top selling CD across all genres of music and the biggest unit opener in the Country format for the year. In 2006, Rascal Flatts were the top selling artists of any genre of music. In the seven years since launching their career, the band has sold more than 15 million albums and scored nine No. 1 singles.

Performers previously announced for the 2007 CMA Awards include Rodney Atkins, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Eagles, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire in a duet with LeAnn Rimes, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

Sara Evans and Rimes will host segments of the three-hour broadcast. Presenters recently announced include Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, Jewel with Ty Murray, Kid Rock, Montgomery Gentry, and Dwight Yoakam.