I used to be a rock and roll DJ when I started out my career, but now I find myself hanging out more and more with my friends in country music. Here I am hosting the nominations for the 2007 Academy of Country Music Awards in Nashville with, from left, Kenny Chesney and Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of the country music duo Sugarland. They'll be performing on Kenny's "Flip Flop" tour this summer.
This is my second year hosting the ACM nominations (before that I did the CMA nominations) and I love the time I get to spend in the world of country music. Everyone is really down to earth and a lot of fun.
I get really fired up to read the nominations because I know folks at home are sitting there watching, and I'm really going to make someone's day when they hear their name and that all their hard work has paid off by being recognized!
Kenny Chesney might be a big-time star -- he's the top touring act in North America for the last 3 years running -- but more importantly, he's got a generous spirit and a good heart.
As you can see, Kenny and I totally crack each other up when we get together, even though we have some pretty fierce arguments over college football. He's a fan of the University of Tennessee and the SEC. I love Notre Dame.
Here I am preparing to go on camera March 5, 2007, at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Behind me, there's a really cool wall of gold and platinum albums where you can actually listen to the songs.
Just seconds before going on camera at the ACM nominations in Nashville, I'm concentrating really hard -- which I tend to do. I'm known to get so focused that I don't even notice people touching up my makeup or giving me directions.
What a thrill it was to present Ronnie Dunn of the band Brooks & Dunn the award for Song of the Year during the 41st Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2006, in Las Vegas. I swear, I think I was more excited than he was! Boy, do I like giving out awards.
Walking the orange carpet at the 41st Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards on May 23, 2006. I don't know why they call it an orange carpet, but the drill is the same: stand and pose for a hoard of photographers and chat with reporters about the event. It's always a lot of fun.
The dress I'm wearing was designed by my friend, Carmen Marc Valvo, who does virtualy all my gowns and dresses. This one was white, so I had to get a spray tan beforehand. You would not believe the maintenance that goes into a night like this.
Here I am at my first ACM nominations back in 2006 in Nashville. I'm reading over the nominees and thinking about how nervous some folks might be in anticipation of hearing their name.
I actually have this picture framed in my office at CBS. Jay DeMarcus, Joe Don Rooney and Gary LaVox of Rascal Flatts are actually some of the first friends I made in the country music world. They are a great bunch of guys. And here Carrie Underwood had just come off "American Idol" and was only beginning to make her name in country music. What an incredible success story she has become.