November 20, 2003

“CMT JOHNNY CASH MEMORIAL TRIBUTE” IS
MOST WATCHED TELECAST IN CMT HISTORY

CMT’s Johnny Cash Programming Draws More Than 10 Million Viewers Over Weekend

NASHVILLE -The premiere of the CMT JOHNNY CASH MEMORIAL TRIBUTE: A CELEBRATION OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY has become the most watched telecast in CMT history among total viewers. The Nov. 15 premiere and its encore presentation drew some 6 Million total viewers.

CMT’s original Johnny Cash programs including the CMT JOHNNY CASH MEMORIAL TRIBUTE, INSIDE FAME: JOHNNY CASH and others, were seen by more than 10 Million viewers over the weekend. In addition, Nov. 15 is CMT’s most watched day ever among viewers age 18-49, and it anchored CMT’s most watched week ever among the same demographic (Nov. 10 - 16).

“Throughout the years, there will be many tributes to my father and his music, but this is the essential one,” said daughter Rosanne Cash. “It is the tribute that came purely from the love of his friends and family.”

The CMT tribute special features performances by members of the Cash family and diverse music artists including Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, John Mellencamp, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr., Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, Brooks & Dunn, Travis Tritt, and Steve Earle. Award winning actor and director Tim Robbins, a life-long Johnny Cash fan, hosted the emotional evening. Former Vice President Al Gore spoke of Cash’s humanity.

Highlights from the CMT special include Rosanne Cash’s poignant performance of “I Still Miss Someone,” Sheryl Crow’s rendition of the Trent Reznor penned and now Cash classic “Hurt,” and Brooks & Dunn and Carlene Carter’s salute to “Jackson.” Bono, Whoopi Goldberg, Ray Charles, Trent Reznor and Dan Rather reflected on Cash’s life in taped messages.

The CMT JOHNNY CASH MEMORIAL TRIBUTE: A CELEBRATION OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY will be retelecast Friday, Nov. 28 at 3:00-5:30 PM, ET/PT* on CMT. For more information on the special, visit CMT.com. http://www.cmt.com/art/art.page/johnny.cash.jhtml

CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 71.7 million households in the United States.
JOHNNY CASH MEMORIAL TRIBUTE: A CELEBRATION OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY will be telecast on Friday, Nov. 28 at 3:00 PM, Eastern; 2:00 PM, Central; 4:00 PM, Mountain; and 3:00 PM, Pacific.

# # #

[return to News]