CMAs Tonight

[TC]

Country music stars are shining in Nashville tonight for the 36th Annual Country Music Association Awards. Alan Jackson leads the pack with a record ten nominations going into the ceremony. Jackson breaks Merle Haggard's previous record of nine nods, which he earned back in 1970. Alan Jackson will also be among the performers for the star-studded event, joining nominees Martina McBride, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Travis Tritt, and numerous other stars. The CMAs will also mark the return of Shania Twain, who will be making her first television appearance in three years. She'll perform one of the songs off her upcoming album "UP!," which hits stores later this month. Vince Gill will serve as host for the show for the 11th consecutive year. CBS will broadcast the 36th annual CMA Awards, which will take place at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
36th Annual CMA Awards Nominees List

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
George Strait

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Martina McBride
Lee Ann Womack
Trisha Yearwood

HORIZON AWARD
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Nickel Creek
Rascal Flatts
Phil Vassar
Darryl Worley

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Diamond Rio
Dixie Chicks
Lonestar
Nickel Creek
Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Bellamy Brothers
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sons of the Desert
The Warren Brothers

SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to artist and producer)
"Blessed" - Martina McBride, produced by Martina McBride/Paul Worley
"Courtesy Of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)" - Toby Keith, produced by James Stroud/Toby Keith
"Drive (For Daddy Gene)" - Alan Jackson, produced by Keith Stegall
"I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)" - Brad Paisley, produced by Frank Rogers
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" - Alan Jackson, produced by Keith Stegall

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to artist and producer)
"Drive" - Alan Jackson, produced by Keith Stegall
"New Favorite" - Alison Krauss & Union Station, produced by Alison Krauss
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem - Kenny Chesney, produced by Buddy Cannon/Norro Wilson/Kenny Chesney
Pull My Chain - Toby Keith, produced by James Stroud/Toby Keith
The Great Divide - Willie Nelson, produced by Matt Serletic
The Road Less Traveled - George Strait, produced by Tony Brown/George Strait

SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to songwriter and primary publisher)
"Courtesy Of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)" - Toby Keith
"Drive (For Daddy Gene)" - Alan Jackson
"I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" - Arranged by Carter Stanley
"I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)" - Brad Paisley/Frank Rogers
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" - Alan Jackson

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks' duet with George Jones - "Beer Run (B-double E-double Are You In?)"
Jo Dee Messina with Tim McGraw - "Bring On The Rain"
Alan Jackson's duet with George Strait - "Designated Drinker"
Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch - "I'll Fly Away" (live)
Willie Nelson with Lee Ann Womack - "Mendocino County Line"

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas - dobro
Glen Duncan - fiddle
Paul Franklin - steel guitar
Dann Huff - guitar
Brent Mason - guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to artist and director)
"Drive (For Daddy Gene)" - Alan Jackson, Directed by Steven Goldmann
"I Wanna Talk About Me" - Toby Keith, Directed by Michael Salomon
"I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)" - Brad Paisley, Directed by Peter Zavadil
"Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde" - Travis Tritt, Directed by Michael Merriman
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" - Alan Jackson, Directed by Paul Miller