Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson and Little Big Town are the first group of performers confirmed for the 46th annual Country Music Association Awards. The four acts are all CMA nominees this year: Jason has three nods, including one for the top honor of the evening, Entertainer of the Year. Dierks also has three nominations, including one for Album of the Year, for his critically-acclaimed Home. Kelly is nominated for a CMA trophy for the first time by herself, as she is included in the Female Vocalist category. She won Musical Event honors last year with Jason for their hit duet, "Don't You Wanna Stay," and was nominated in the same category with Reba back in 2007, for "Because of You." Little Big Town is a three-time nominee, including a nod for Single of the Year for their chart-topping "Pontoon." Several more performances will be announced in the coming weeks.

Eric Church leads this year's pack of CMA nominees with five nominations. He's followed by country power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, who each have four nods. See a full list of 2012 CMA Awards nominees here.

The 46th annual CMA Awards, hosted once again by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, will air live from Nashville, Nov. 1 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Bridgestone Arena box office and through Ticketmaster.

See a Report on the 2012 CMA Nominees

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