Faith Hill and Brad Paisley lead the list of nominees for the 34th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

The nominees were announced Tuesday by Paisley, Lee Ann Womack and Lonestar during a press conference in Nashville.

Country darling Hill raked in eight nominations, including Single, Video and Song Of The Year for her hit "Breathe," Female Vocalist Of The Year and Entertainer Of The Year. Hill will compete for the top honor against her husband Tim McGraw, the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson and George Strait. Last year's winner, Shania Twain, was not nominated.

Paisley earned six noms, including Single and Song Of The Year, Male Vocalist Of The Year and the Horizon Award for most outstanding career progress.

The shocker came with word that George Strait and Alan Jackson's controversial look at country music, "Murder On Music Row," was up for Vocal Event Of The Year. The duet will compete against pairings between Asleep At The Wheel and Dixie Chicks, Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw and Lee Ann Womack and Sons Of The Desert.

The CMA Awards will take place Wednesday, October 4, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The event will air live on CBS.

Here is a partial list of nominees for the 2000 Country Music Association awards:

Entertainer Of The Year:

Alan Jackson, Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Faith Hill

Single Of The Year:

Faith Hill ("Breathe"), Kenny Rogers ("Buy Me A Rose"), Brad Paisley ("He Didn't Have To Be"), Toby Keith ("How Do You Like Me Now?!"), Lee Ann Womack ("I Hope You Dance")

Album Of The Year:

Faith Hill ("Breathe"), Dixie Chicks ("Fly"), Lee Ann Womack ("I Hope You Dance"), Alan Jackson ("Under The Influence"), Brad Paisley ("Who Needs Pictures")

Female Vocalist Of The Year:

Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood

Male Vocalist Of The Year:

Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, George Strait

Vocal Group Of The Year:

Alabama, Asleep At The Wheel, Diamond Rio, Dixie Chicks, Lonestar

Vocal Event Of The Year:

George Strait with Alan Jackson, "Murder On Music Row"

Asleep At The Wheel with Dixie Chicks, "Roly Poly"

Clint Black with Lisa Hartman Black, "When I Said I Do"

Faith Hill with Tim McGraw, "Let's Make Love"

Lee Ann Womack with Sons Of The Desert, "I Hope You Dance"

Music Video Of The Year:

Faith Hill ("Breathe"), Dixie Chicks ("Goodbye Earl"), Brad Paisley ("He Didn't Have To Be"), Toby Keith ("How Do You Like Me Now?!"), Lee Ann Womack ("I Hope You Dance")

Horizon Award:

Sara Evans, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, SHeDAISY, Chely Wright