Sugarland, Strait, Swift and More React to CMA Nods

The 2008 CMA nods are in! Here's what some of the nominated artists had to say about making the grade:

"I almost spilt my tea this morning as I was watching and the nominations kept being added. Being in the Entertainer of the Year category is such an honor. We've been lucky enough to be out on the road with Kenny Chesney for a couple of tours over the last two years. Looks like rock by osmosis really does work!" --Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, up for Entertainer, Duo, Single, Song, Video and Musical Event of the Year

"The only thing I have ever won was 'Most Athletic' in high school, and no disrespect to Ki-Be High, but this CMA nomination blows that one out of the water!" --First-time nominee James Otto, up for Best New Artist

"I'm sitting down here in south Texas bracing for hurricane Ike. This really brightens my day. I look forward to a great celebration of our great music." --George Strait, nominated for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album, Single and Musical Event of the Year

"I can't believe it. I'm so excited! I got to win the Horizon Award last year, and that was a shock. So to be nominated in [the Female Vocalist] category this year ... it's just a really good day!" --Taylor Swift, as Rascal Flatts read her name during the announcement of Female Vocalist nominees

"'You're Gonna Miss This' has been such a special gift for me this year, so I'm really thrilled that the CMA and the industry recognized the strength of that song. Not only was it one of the biggest hits of my career, when we performed it on the season finale of 'The Celebrity Apprentice,' it helped raise a lot of money for my charity, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxix network." --Trace Adkins, up for Single and Video of the Year -- his first CMA nominations in ten years

"It is simultaneously humbling and encouraging to be in such amazing company as we are in all of the categories. It is one thing to play shows every week and imagine ourselves striving to become Entertainers of the Year and another thing all together to have the voting members of the CMA believe that it is possible." --Sugarland's Kristian Bush

"Mornings like this is where you know the music that means so much to you means something to other people, too. Obviously, I'm trying to capture my own life in these songs, to share what I've seen and what I've learned, but you still want to touch people ... to believe that your life is something other people can see their own lives in. The stories you hear, the way people respond, it lets you know you're doing OK." --Kenny Chesney, up for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Single, Album, Video and Musical Event of the Year

"Man, we got fifth place locked up for Vocal Group of the Year!," Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, also nominated for Best New Artist

"I wasn't expecting anything this year, but wow, what way to wake up! There are so many great artists, and I am thankful and ecstatic that the CMA thought I deserved one of those coveted positions." --Miranda Lambert, nominated for Female Vocalist and Single of the Year

"This is awesome! As an artist you always hope the music you record will touch people's lives. There is nothing more rewarding than to be recognized by your peers and to know your fans are enjoying the same ride!" --Carrie Underwood, nominated for Female Vocalist and Album of the Year

"I'm blown away. I'm always blown away to get one. To get one nomination at this point in my career is cool. But to get two is almost more than I can stand. I got chill bumps. I love what I do!" --Producer Tony Brown, a double nominee in the Album of the Year category, for George Strait's 'Troubadour' and Brooks & Dunn's 'Cowboy Town' (Nashville's Tennessean newspaper reports that when the nominations were announced, Brown's wife, music supervisor Anastasia Brown, let out a scream of delight. When she moved to hug her husband, their dog Chippy was so spooked he tried to bite her!)