IT'S the time of year when all that glisters probably is gold as entertainers put on their finery to attend the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville.

Now in it's 41st year, the CMA event takes place at the Sommet Centre next Thursday with the BBC broadcasting from the backstage area.

Host Paul Sexton is joined by past award winner Suzy Bogguss. The early birds can catch broadcasts between 12.30am and 4.00am with added highlights between 7pm and 8pm on BBC Radio 2. Nominees include: George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban in the Entertainer Of The Year category along with Alison Krauss, The Dixie Chicks, Brooks and Dunn, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood as other nominees. The Eagles will perform their new single How Long, taken from their first album in 28 years.

Other artists scheduled to perform include: Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Josh Turner. There will be 90 minutes of edited highlights on BBC2 on Saturday, November 10. No matter what you choose you'll certainly be in the company of some of the greatest country music entertainers on the planet without the need for you to wear your posh frock or dust off your old tuxedo.