46th Annual CMA Awards: And The Nominees Are…

Early Wednesday morning, during a live press conference, the County Music Association took to Good Morning America and a live internet stream to announce the nominees for the 46th Annual CMA Awards. Announced by stars Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan (who sat in last minute for Lady Antebellum), and Lee Brice, the CMA award categories are always full of superstar talent and big named stars. The CMA Awards are usually referred to as the Oscars for Country music and have snagged bigger television ratings than the Grammys in the past. With a massive summer hit like “Pontoon,” Little Big Town found a way to snag three nominations. Some of the nominations surprises include Kelly Clarkson nabbing her first Female Vocalist of the year nomination and notable absences from hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, including their “Remind Me” duet and tracks from their respective albums. Eric Church snags the most nominations (5) this year, with Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert (both with 4) in a close 2nd.

Hosted by fan favorite duo Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood for the fifth year in a row, the CMA Awards air LIVE on ABC on November 1. A primetime special highlighting this summer’s CMA Music Festival is set to air on ABC on Sept. 17. Check out the nominations below and let us know your thoughts!

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Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugerland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square

Best New Artist
Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Love and Theft
Thompson Square

Album of the Year
“Chief,” Eric Church
“Four the Record,” Miranda Lambert
“Home,” Dierks Bentley
“Own the Night,” Lady Antebellum
“Tailgates and Tanlines,” Luke Bryan

Music Video of the Year
“Come Over,” Kenny Chesney
“Over You,” Miranda Lambert
“Pontoon,” Little Big Town
“Red Solo Cup,” Toby Keith
“Springsteen,” Eric Church

Single of the Year
“Dirt Road Anthem,” Jason Aldean
“God Gave Me You,” Blake Shelton
“Home,” Dierks Bentley
“Pontoon,” Little Big Town
“Springsteen,” Eric Church

Song of the Year (given to songwriters)
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” Eli Young Band / Will Hoge and Eric Paslay
“God Gave Me You,” Blake Shelton / Dave Barnes
“Home,” Dierks Bentley / Dan Wilson, Brett Beavers, and Dierks Bentley
“Over You,” Miranda Lambert / Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton
“Springsteen,” Eric Church / Eric Church, Ryan Tyndell, and Jeff Hyde

Musical Event of the Year
“Dixie Highway,” Alan Jackson & Jason Aldean
“Feel Like a Rock Star,” Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw
“Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die,” Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson
“Safe & Sound,” Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars
“Stuck On You,” Lionel Richie & Darius Rucker

Musician of the Year
Sam Bush (mandolin)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Dann Huff (guitar)
Brent Mason (guitar)
Mac McAnally (guitar)