CMA Awards: The Nominees Are...
Get ready, country music fans. It's Contry Music Association Awards time again. This year, in conjunction with the Country Music Television Network, The Early Show is announcing the nominees.
From New York, co-anchor Hannah Storm, with the help of country music and Hollywood star Kris Kristofferson, announced the nominees in the following top four categories.
- Album of the Year - Award goes to artist and producer
"Here For The Party" - Gretchen Wilson
Produced by Mark Wright and Joe Scaife"Mud On The Tires" - Brad Paisley
Produced by Frank Rogers"Red Dirt Road" - Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn and Mark Wright"Shock'N Y'All" - Toby Keith
Produced by Toby Keith and James Stroud"When The Sun Goes Down" - Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney - Female Vocalist of the Year
Terri Clark
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire - Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
George Strait
Keith Urban - Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Every year, the CMA inducts a legend into its Country Hall of Fame. This year's inductee, Kristofferson, is an accomplished songwriter. More than 450 artists, including his friends Janis Joplin, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, have recorded his songs, As a performer, he has released more than 30 albums and has appeared in over 50 feature films.
"What a dirty trick," Kristofferson exclaimed, shocked by Storm's announcement of his induction. He just expected to be on the show to read the nominees. "Boy, I feel a whole lot better now than I did five minutes ago," he said.
Asked what being in the Hall of Fame means to him, he said tongue-in-cheek, "I guess it means I'm old." Country music has a very special place in his heart, he noted, "It's something that all of us were working for - respect for country music - for a long time and I'm real proud to be part of it. Yes!"
From Nashvillle, CMT's Katie Cook and hot country newcomers Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson will announce the rest of the nominees on "CMT Insider: CMA Special Edition."
The CMA awards have been recognizing the biggest and most talented country artists for the past 38 years.
On Nov. 9, CBS will broadcast the awards live from The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.