2015 CMA Awards Nominees Announced

Steven Tyler and Kelsea Ballerini helped reveal the nominees for the 49th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday morning (Sept. 9).

The rocker-turned-country artist and country newcomer announced five of the categories — Entertainer, Album, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year — on Good Morning America and later shared the rest of the nods on the morning show's website. A complete list of nominees is available below.

Along with the expected nominees — superstars such as Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton — the categories included a few surprises. Ballerini herself had a big shock as she helped announce this year's nominees: In addition to earning a New Artist of the Year nod, she is also up for Female Vocalist of the Year.

"I sat at the CMA Awards as a fan last year," Ballerini recalled. "What is this?!"

Little Big Town lead this year's pack of nominees, garnering six nods. Kenny Chesney and Eric Church follow with five nominations each, and then comes Lambert with four. Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves and Maddie & Tae each have three noms apiece, while Underwood, Bryan, Shelton and Ballerini also received multiple nods (two each).

The 2015 CMA Awards are scheduled to air live from Nashville on Nov. 4 at 8PM ET on ABC. For the eighth year, Brad Paisley and Underwood have been named as the hosts.

2015 Country Music Association Awards Nominees

Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert

Album of the Year (Awarded to Artist and Producers)
Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean
Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves
Pain Killer, Little Big Town
The Big Revival, Kenny Chesney
Traveller, Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
Kelsea Ballerini

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)
“American Kids”, Kenny Chesney (Written by Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally)
“Girl Crush”, Little Big Town (Written by Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose)
“Like a Cowboy”, Randy Houser (Written by Randy Houser and Brice Long)
“Like a Wrecking Ball”, Eric Church (Written by Eric Church and Casey Beathard)
“Take Your Time”, Sam Hunt (Written by Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally)

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Thompson Square

New Artist of the Year
Sam Hunt
Maddie & Tae
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Kelsea Ballerini

Single of the Year (Awarded to Artist and Producer)
"American Kids," Kenny Chesney (Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney)
"Girl Crush," Little Big Town (Produced by Jay Joyce)
"I Don't Dance," Lee Brice (Produced by Lee Brice)
"Take Your Time," Sam Hunt (Produced by Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally)
"Talladega," Eric Church (Produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora Jr.)

Musical Event of the Year
Django and Jimmie, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
"Lonely Tonight," Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe
"Raise 'Em Up," Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
"Smokin' and Drinkin'," Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town
"Wild Child," Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter

Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist and Director)
"Biscuits," Kacey Musgraves (Directed by Marc Klasfeld)
"Girl Crush," Little Big Town (Directed by Karla Welch and Matthew Welch)
"Girl in a Country Song," Maddie & Tae (Directed by TK McKamy)
"Little Red Wagon," Miranda Lambert (Directed by Trey Fanjoy)
"Something in the Water," Carrie Underwood (Directed by Raj Kapoor)

Musician of the Year
Sam Bush, mandolin
Jerry Douglas, dobro
Paul Franklin, steel guitar
Dann Huff, guitar
Mac McAnally, guitar

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