Brad Paisley Leads CMA Award Nominations
Brad Paisley is the leader of the pack in 2009 Country Music Association Award nominations. The country superstar, who is also co-hosting the awards show with Carrie Underwood, has six nods: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album, Single, Song and Video of the Year. On Brad's heels are Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, George Strait, Jamey Johnson and the Zac Brown Band, with four nominations apiece.
While no category seems to be a sure-thing this year, perhaps the toughest of all is New Artist of the Year. Up for that award are Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker and the Zac Brown Band.
The 43rd Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville, Nov. 11 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. See the full list of nominees after the jump.
2009 CMA Nominations
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
New Artist Of The Year
Randy Houser
Jamey Johnson
Jake Owen
Darius Rucker
Zac Brown Band
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
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
Album of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer)
'American Saturday Night' - Brad Paisley, produced by Frank Rogers & Chris DuBois
'Defying Gravity' - Keith Urban, produced by Keith Urban & Dann Huff
'Fearless' - Taylor Swift, produced by Taylor Swift & Nathan Chapman
'Love on the Inside' - Sugarland, produced by Byron Gallimore, Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush
'That Lonesome Song' - Jamey Johnson, produced by the Kent Hardly Playboys
Single of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer)
'Chicken Fried' - Zac Brown Band, produced by Keith Stegall
'I Run to You' - Lady Antebellum, produced by Victoria Shaw & Paul Worley
'In Color' - Jamey Johnson, produced by the Kent Hardly Playboys
'People Are Crazy' - Billy Currington, produced by Billy Currington & Carson Chamberlain
'Then' - Brad Paisley, produced by Frank Rogers & Chris DuBois
Song of the Year (Award goes to songwriters)
'Chicken Fried' - Zac Brown, Wyatt Durette
'I Told You So' - Randy Travis
'In Color' - Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto
'People Are Crazy' - Bobby Braddock, Troy Jones
'Then' - Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley
Musical Event of the Year
'Cowgirl's Don't Cry' - Brooks & Dunn with Reba McEntire
'Down The Road' - Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally
'Everything But Quits' - Lee Ann Womack with George Strait
'I Told You So' - Carrie Underwood with Randy Travis
'Old Enough' - The Raconteurs with Ricky Skaggs & Ashley Monroe
'Start a Band' - Brad Paisley with Keith Urban
Music Video of the Year (Award goes to artist and director)
'Boots On' - Randy Houser, directed by Eric Welch
'Love Story' - Taylor Swift, directed by Trey Fanjoy
'People Are Crazy' - Billy Currington, directed by The Brads
'Start a Band' - Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, directed by Jim Shea
'Troubadour' - George Strait, directed by Trey Fanjoy
Musician of the Year
Eddie Bayers
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally