Obama and Romney to appear on 2012 CMT Music Awards

President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney will appear on the opening segment of the 2012 CMT Music Awards tonight. Political candidates have appeared on the show before (back in 2008).

The show airs at 8 p.m. tonight on CMT and CMT.com.

Read the press release and watch of video of hosts Kristen Bell and Toby Keith from rehearsals:

OBAMA AND ROMNEY TO APPEAR IN OPENING SEGMENT OF
THE ‘2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS’ TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. ET/7 P.M. CT

NASHVILLE – June 6, 2012 – Political rivals, incumbent President Barack Obama and Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney will appear in a comedic opening segment of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Toby Keith and Kristen Bell, premiering live tonight, Wednesday, June 6 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on CMT and CMT.com.

Political candidates have made appearances on the CMT MUSIC AWARDS in the past. In 2008, Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama all taped cameos as a part of the show’s open. With this year’s Presidential race in full swing, both Obama and Romney immediately accepted the offer to appear on CMT.

“The President and Governor Romney each understand the reach of the CMT audience, particularly on our highest-rated night of the year,” said Brian Philips, President, CMT. “They’re each great sports, they’re ‘in on the joke’, and they each went out of their way to deliver great moments for CMT. Tune in at the top of the show or you’ll miss them!”

For more information as it becomes available, follow CMT’s new Twitter handle (@CMT), hashtag #CMTawards and become a fan of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS on Facebook.