Ernie Ball Music Man Artists Nominated for Academy of Country Music Awards

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (May 10, 2007) - The Academy of Country Music honors the abilities of great musicians, including Ernie Ball Music Man endorsees Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson and Brad Paisley.

The live broadcast on May 15, 2007 starts at 8pm ET on CBS - the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards promises its viewers the opportunity to watch the "party of the year" as Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson and Brad Paisley will all be performing live during the show.

Rascal Flatts is nominated in six categories including Entertainer of the Year, Top Vocal Group, Album of the Year for Me and My Gang, and Single Record of the Year for "What Hurts the Most." Since 2000, Rascal Flatts has won six Academy of Country Music Awards. Members of Rascal Flatts use the following Ernie Ball strings Regular Slinky Guitar, Beefy Slinky Guitar, Regular Slinky Bass, and Regular Acoustic Slinky Guitar.

Kenny Chesney is nominated for two categories -- Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. To date Chesney has won six Academy of Country Music Awards, including back-to-back wins for Entertainer of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Chesney uses the following Ernie Ball strings: Regular Slinky Guitar, Regular Acoustic Slinky, Super Acoustic Slinky and Super Stainless Steel Bass. During the live performance, Chesney's bassist Steve Marshall will be playing his Music Man Bongo.

Gretchen Wilson is nominated for three items including Vocal Event of the Year for "Politically Uncorrect" and for "That's How They Do It in Dixie." She also received a nomination as a producer for "Politically Uncorrect." Wilson uses these Ernie Ball strings: Regular Slinky Guitar, Hybrid Slinky Guitar, and Super Slinky Guitar. Band member Mark Oakley uses an Axis guitar, and bassist Jeff Lockerman uses a StingRay 5.

Brad Paisley is nominated for Top Male Vocalist. Since 1999 he has won six Academy of Country Music Awards, including three wins for his album Time Well Wasted. Paisley uses these Ernie Ball strings: Regular Acoustic Slinky Guitar, Regular Slinky Guitar, Power Acoustic Slinky, and 12 string Light Slinky. Kenny Lewis, bass player for Brad Paisley, prefers a StingRay 5 when performing.

Since the first show in 1965, the Academy of Country Music Awards has honored the industry's most notable talent.

Ernie Ball was the first to offer rock strings with the creation of Slinkys, and further revolutionized the market by offering guitarists Custom-Gauge single strings. The Ernie Ball Company also produces Music Man guitars and basses, volume pedals, and other accessories. The company's strings and accessories are available in more than 6,000 music stores throughout the U.S. The company also exports to 82 countries. For more information, contact the Ernie Ball company at (800) 543-2255, or visit their website at www.ernieball.com.

These products are Ernie Ball trademarks registered in the USA and many foreign countries:

ERNIE BALL®     CUSTOM GAUGE®     SLINKY®     EARTHWOOD®
MUSICMAN®
STINGRAY®     SILHOUETTE®     AXIS®
STERLING®     4+2®     3+1®

Trademark ownership is indicated by the symbol ®, however, for the sake of brevity it is omitted during the story.

Contact:
Derek Brooks
Ernie Ball, Inc.
(800) 543-2255

Media Contact:
Keith Negrin
MORSEKODE
(952) 853-9555