Alabama to receive special award and perform on American Country Awards

Legendary country music group Alabama has been tapped to receive the Greatest Hits Award at the American Country Awards, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 5 (8 to 10 p.m.), on FOX. The veteran band, which gave its farewell tour in 2003, also will perform during the broadcast.

Additionally, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery has been added to the list of performers for the two-hour primetime special.

The American Country Awards Greatest Hits Award is presented to a country music act that has produced an extensive catalogue of No. 1 hits throughout its career.

As one of country music's classic groups, Alabama has enjoyed more than 30 years of unprecedented success in the music industry. Consisting of Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook, the group has released 21 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums, and 43 No. 1 singles. Other accolades include eight country music "Entertainer of the Year" honors, two Grammys, two People's Choice Awards and the band's very own star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame."

Alabama first signed with industry giant RCA back in 1980. The group immediately began taking the country genre in new directions, reaching out to an incredibly diverse fan base, many of whom had never listened to country music. The band's upbringing on country, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm and blues, rock-n-roll and southern rock enabled them to perform everything from Acuff to ZZ Top. Their career sales have topped 73 million records, ranking them as one of the 10 biggest-selling bands in the annals of popular music - ahead of such rock legends as Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Queen, Pink Floyd and The Who. Additionally, Alabama has more No. 1 records than any band in country music history and has sold more concert tickets than any other country group.

The second annual American Country Awards, hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, is the only country music awards show that gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories, but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business (such as touring), encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has. Co-hosts Trace and Chenoweth, along with country music's Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry are set to perform. The special will also include appearances by Josh Turner, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall, Larry Mahan and Rodney Carrington. Previously announced participants include Lauren Alaina, Rachel Bilson, Miranda Lambert and the men of "Pawn Stars" (Richard Harrison, Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin Russell).