Tuesday, September 6, 2011
CMA AWARDS NOMINEES
Aldean, Paisley, Shelton, Swift, The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band Snag Five Nods Each
Topping the list of nominees for the 45th Annual CMA Awards are Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift, with five nominations apiece. The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band each received four nominations as a group, while Kimberly Perry (of The Band Perry), Coy Bowles and Zac Brown (of Zac Brown Band) picked up solo noms as songwriters.
“’Country Music’s Biggest Night’ is shaping up to be a tight race with an outstanding group of new and established nominees topping the list,” said CMA CEO Steve Moore. “With no clear frontrunner, there will be a heightened level of excitement and anticipation for the CMA Awards in November.”
Making their CMA debut in the Vocal Duo of the Year category are The Civil Wars. They’ll be going up against fellow newcomers Thompson Square, Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia, and Sugarland, who have taken home the trophy for the last four years.
The CMA Awards will be hosted for the fourth time by Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC.
Here’s the complete list of nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
Single of the Year
Sara Evens, “A Little Bit Stronger,”
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
Blake Shelton, “Honey Bee”
The Band Perry, “If I Die Young”
Album of the Year
Blake Shelton, All About Tonight
Jason Aldean, My Kinda Party
Taylor Swift, Speak Now
Brad Paisley, This Is Country Music
Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give
Song of the Year
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
Jason Aldean, “Dirt Road Anthem”
The Band Perry, “If I Die Young”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
The Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square
Musical Event of the Year
Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert, “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Musician of the Year
Sam Bush Mandolin
Jerry Douglas Dobro
Paul Franklin Steel Guitar
Dann Huff Guitar
Mac McAnally Guitar
Music Video of the Year
Blake Shelton, “Honey Bee”
The Band Perry, “If I Die Young”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
New Artist of the Year
The Band Perry
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young