ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609300097
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NASHVILLE, TENN.
SOURCE: JIM PATTERSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Like many a big-selling country music artist who has never taken home a Country Music Association award, Shania Twain maintains that the accolade is not all that important.
Until, that is, you win one.
The 30th CMA Awards will be broadcast live by CBS at 8 p.m. Wednesday from the Grand Ole Opry. Vince Gill will be host of the show.
``If I win something I'll hit the ceiling and be jumping for joy 'cause it always feels great,'' said Twain, who has been selling more albums than anyone else in country music for most of the past 18 months.
Despite selling more than 7 million of her ``The Woman in Me'' CD, Twain has never won a CMA Award. Three nominations this year give her six since 1995.
Her success was recognized last year with a Grammy and two awards from the Academy of Country Music, a California-based rival to the CMA.
``I have to admit that being accepted by the industry that you work amongst and with - it means a lot,'' Twain said.
Twain is up for CMA awards this year for best female vocalist and the Horizon Award for most promising new artist. Also, her ``Any Man of Mine,'' written with husband-producer Mutt Lange, is up for best song.
A short list of hot artists who have never won a CMA Award would include Twain, Dwight Yoakam, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Tracy Byrd and Wynonna Judd as a solo artist.
All-time great Buck Owens, who will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during this year's show, never won a CMA award during his heyday.
Snagging a performing slot on the show may be just as valuable in business terms as winning. Last year, Twain made a big splash (and likely sold some CDs) opening the television show by vamping through the star-studded audience singing ``Any Man of Mine.'' This time around, she'll preview her new single for the holiday season, ``God Bless the Child.''
``On the album it's an a cappella piece, but we'll be putting a single out with the full version,'' she said. ``The CMAs will be the first time that we'll showcase the song.''
Others who will perform during the show include Alan Jackson, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, the group Diamond Rio, Dolly Parton, Terri Clark and George Strait. Pop star Michael Bolton will sing a duet with Wynonna Judd.
The major nominations are dominated by multiple award-winners such as the duo Brooks & Dunn, Gill, Jackson and Strait. A win in the male vocalist category would be Gill's sixth in a row; Brooks & Dunn have dominated the vocal duo category since 1992.
Nominees for the top award, entertainer of the year, are Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Gill, Jackson and Strait. Last year Jackson won it.
There were some fresh nominations this year. Bryan White and Collin Raye are nominated for best male vocalist, and the 14-year-old Rimes is up for the Horizon Award and best single for her breakthrough Patsy Cline soundalike, ``Blue.''
The broadcast also is expected to feature a tribute to bluegrass legend Bill Monroe who died earlier this month.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Shania Twain's CD, ``The Woman in Me,'' has soldby CNBmore than 7 million copies. color