NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While Brad Paisley snagged a leading six Country Music Association Award nominations Wednesday, country’s breakout stars Taylor Swift and Darius Rucker could provide tough competition.
The 19-year-old Swift is the youngest person to be nominated for entertainer of the year, and Rucker — the former Hootie & the Blowfish singer — was nominated for male vocalist of the year after his first country album.
The awards show will be Nov. 11 on ABC.
List of CMA nominations
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Randy Houser
Jamey Johnson
Jake Owen
Darius Rucker
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eagles
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
“Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band, produced by Keith Stegall, Atlantic Records
“I Run To You” by Lady Antebellum, produced by Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley, Capitol Records Nashville
“In Color” by Jamey Johnson, produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys, Mercury Nashville
“People Are Crazy” by Billy Currington, produced by Carson Chamberlain and Billy Currington, Mercury Nashville
“Then” by Brad Paisley, produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois, Arista Nashville
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
“American Saturday Night” by Brad Paisley, produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois, Arista Nashville
“Defying Gravity” by Keith Urban, produced by Dann Huff and Keith Urban, Capitol Records Nashville
“Fearless” by Taylor Swift, produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records
“Love On The Inside” by Sugarland, produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush, and Jennifer Nettles, Mercury Nashville
“That Lonesome Song” by Jamey Johnson, produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys, Mercury Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette
“I Told You So” by Randy Travis
“In Color” by Jamey Johnson/Lee Thomas Miller/James Otto
“People Are Crazy” by Bobby Braddock/Troy Jones
“Then” by Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to each Artist)
“Cowgirls Don’t Cry” by Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire, Arista Nashville
“Down The Road” by Kenny Chesney (with Mac McAnally), Blue Chair Records, LLC & BNA Records
“Everything But Quits” by Lee Ann Womack (duet with George Strait), MCA Nashville
“I Told You So” by Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis, 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville
“Old Enough” by The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe, Third Man Records/Warner Bros. Records
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
“Boots On” by Randy Houser, directed by Eric Welch
“Love Story” by Taylor Swift, directed by Trey Fanjoy
“People Are Crazy” by Billy Currington, directed by The Brads
“Start A Band” by Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban), directed by Jim Shea
“Troubadour” by George Strait, directed by Trey Fanjoy
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Eddie Bayers — Drums
Paul Franklin — Steel Guitar
Dann Huff — Guitar
Brent Mason — Guitar
Mac McAnally — Guitar
