Kenny To Receive Groundbreaker Award At The First Ever American Country Countdown Awards

Kenny Chesney, the only country artist in Billboard's Top 10 Touring Acts of the Last 25 Years, will receive the AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS first GROUNDBREAKER AWARD. The first ever Groundbreaker Award recognizes the man The Los Angeles Times' called "The People's Superstar" for his commitment to moving what people expect of country music into new realms, horizons and realities. The GROUNDBREAKER AWARD is given to an artist who has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible within the definitions of today's country music. It recognizes trailblazing in the realm of concerts, musical accomplishment, creative innovation and connecting with fans across America. Chesney will be present to accept the honor at Nashville's Music City Center on Monday Dec. 15 during the live telecast (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on Fox.

"The Groundbreaker Award recognizes how Kenny has revolutionized the live music experience for Country fans," said Mark Bracco, Executive Vice President of Programing and Development at dick clark productions. "He is a true groundbreaker, moving country music into new directions with his pioneering, record breaking tours that have propelled him into one of the very biggest live performing artists in America. Kenny is the perfect recipient for our very first show."

"Given what the American Country Countdown radio show has meant to the music over the past 40 years, it's humbling to be singled out like this," Chesney responded. "Anyone who loved country music was listening to know who was #1, who was climbing and what all was going on with the artists. That countdown is how an awful lot of us keep track... and I am honored they believe I made a difference."

Kenny Chesney has sold over a million tickets to each of his 11 headlining tours since 2002. An 8-time Entertainer of the Year, with 4 consecutive Academy of Country Music and 4 Country Music Association Awards, the man The Wall Street Journal crowned "The King of the Road" has also won the American Music Award all- Favorite Artist the ACM's Top Male Vocalist and Single of the Year ("The Good Stuff") and the CMA's Album of the Year (the sextuple-platinum When The Sun Goes Down), Video and Vocal Event Awards. With over 30 million albums sold - 7 debuting at #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums and 13 topping Country Album chart, his The Big Revival has spawned the multiple week #1 "American Kids," certified platinum, and the Top 10 and climbing "Til It's Gone."

"For me, this music has always been about the fans," Chesney says. "How we see them, what we give them and the way country moves them. It often starts with American Country Countdown... watching that climb, getting invested. It did for me, so I'm not surprised to see them wanting to award the artists in a way that recognizes innovation and achievement."