Trace Adkins & Danica Patrick to Co-Host 4th Annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, 12/10

Multi-platinum recording artist Trace Adkins and NASCAR superstar Danica Patrick will co-host the fourth annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, airing live from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Tuesday, Dec. 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ETlive/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. This is Adkins' fourth time serving as a host of the annual awards show, which gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists in categories such as artists, albums, singles, videos and touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has. Nominees, performers and presenters to be announced.

"I can't wait to see if I have what it takes to keep up with this racing superstar," said Adkins.

"I'm so excited to host the American Country Awards with Trace Adkins," Patrick said. "I have no doubt he'll be able to keep up with me. I've become a huge fan of country music since I came to NASCAR and have been fortunate to be in videos with Miranda Lambert and Colt Ford. This is going to be a really cool experience and I'm excited to be a part of it. It's going to be a great show!"

In addition to his hosting duties, Adkins will be joined by legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff and other guests for a special performance of "Carol of the Drum" (otherwise known as "Little Drummer Boy"). The song is featured on Adkins' recently announced Celtic-infused Christmas album, "The King's Gift."

The third annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, co-hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, featured performances by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kip Moore, Jake Owen and Rascal Flatts, as well as by Adkins and Chenoweth. The special also featured appearances by Lauren Alaina, Natasha Bedingfield, champion cowboy Trevor Brazile, Lee Brice, Lindsey Buckingham, Carmen Electra, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Gloriana, Casey James, Jana Kramer, Miranda Lambert, Love and Theft, Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery, Penn & Teller, LeAnn Rimes, the San Francisco Giants' Brandon Belt and Barry Zito, Ron White and Chris Young.

With his trademark baritone and wry sense of humor, Trace Adkins is one of country music's most accomplished entertainers. With total sales surpassing 10 million albums, a long list of hit singles and platinum albums, he is also a television personality, actor and author. A Grammy Award nominee and member of the Grand Ole Opry, Adkins will release his Christmas album of Celtic-infused carols, "The King's Gift," on October 29, 2013, then embark on The Christmas Show Tour, a theatrical musical production for the whole family, in theaters this holiday season. This will be Adkins' fourth time hosting the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS.

Danica Patrick burst onto the scene in May 2005, when she stunned the world by leading 19 laps and finishing fourth in her first Indianapolis 500 - becoming the first woman to lead laps and score a Top-Five finish in the historic race. Three years later, in April 2008, Patrick became the first woman to win a major-league, open-wheel race in a North American series with her victory in the IZOD IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi oval in Japan.

In February 2013, Patrick, driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing, once again made headlines around the world with her record-setting performance in the 55th Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Florida'sDaytona International Speedway. She became the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole when she set the fastest time in qualifying for the Daytona 500 and then finished in eighth place, the highest finishing position ever for a woman in the "Great American Race."

American Country Awards is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2013, "Kids' Choice Awards"). Paul Flattery, Tisha Fein and Fletcher Foster serve as producers; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey will direct the special. "Like" American Country Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCountryAwards. Follow the series on Twitter @ACAINSIDER.

Photo by: Adam Olszewski/NBC

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