Brad Paisley and George Strait Lead Finalists With Five Nominations Each for 'The 41st Annual CMA Awards,' Country Music's Biggest Night

Brad Paisley and George Strait Lead Finalists With Five Nominations Each for 'The 41st Annual CMA Awards,' Country Music's Biggest Night

Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss and Martina McBride Receive Four Nominations; John Rich, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban Score Three Nominations Each

2007 CMA Awards Broadcast Live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 7 on the ABC Television Network

NASHVILLE, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The final list of nominees for "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" covers the broadest spectrum of the format from traditionalists, Country Music hit makers, crossover innovators with several fresh faces added to the mix.

"Country Music is thriving on the talent and creativity of an outstanding group of artists and they are well represented with our nominees," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "These talented performers, musicians, songwriters, producers, and directors demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity of our format. It is an exciting time for Country Music and the 2007 CMA Awards will definitely reflect that in November."

"Since our inaugural broadcast of the Awards last year with the historic 40th anniversary, we've enjoyed a special and growing relationship with the Country Music Association as true partners to bring the very best of the country's music to ABC," said Vicki Dummer, Senior Vice President, Alternative Series, Specials, and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "We're proud and honored to be the network that is home to the CMA Awards and we congratulate all of the outstanding nominees for their achievements."

"The 41st Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

For the second year, the announcement of the final nominees in five of the 12 CMA Awards categories was made on ABC News' "Good Morning America." Sara Evans and Sugarland delivered the news from the "Good Morning America" studios in the heart of New York City's Times Square. The remaining categories were announced by Montgomery Gentry and Taylor Swift on a special edition of CMT's "CMT Insider" live from the CMA Awards Nominees Press Conference at the Sommet Center in Nashville.

"Having both 'Good Morning America' and 'CMT Insider' broadcast our CMA Awards final nominees live brings a whole new level of excitement to these highly-anticipated announcements and allows fans across the country to experience the same thrill our artists and the industry feel as the names are read," Genovese said.

At the conclusion of the announcements, Brad Paisley and Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait lead the list of nominees with five nominations each. Paisley was nominated for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album for 5th Gear (produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois), Single for "Ticks," and Music Video of the Year for "Online," which was directed by actor-turned- video director Jason Alexander.

Strait received nominations for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album for It Just Comes Natural (co-produced by Tony Brown), Musical Event with Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson on the live version of "Hey Good Lookin'," and Single of the Year for "Wrapped." Strait could win two additional trophies as producer for Single and Album of the Year. Other nominees benefiting from Strait's windfall are songwriters Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson, who were nominated for Song of the Year for "Give It Away." Strait now has 70 career CMA Awards nominations, trailing only Jackson, who has 75 with this year's nomination for Musical Event of the Year.

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney received four nominations this year for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Musical Event with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw on Lawrence's "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," and Music Video of the Year for "You Save Me" directed by Shaun Silva.

Alison Krauss received four nominations including Female Vocalist, Vocal Group of the Year for Alison Krauss and Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas, and two for Musical Event of the Year with John Waite (his first CMA Awards nomination) on "Missing You" and with Vince Gill on "The Reason Why." Douglas was also nominated for Musician of the Year. Krauss last won the Female Vocalist of the Year category in 1995. She has been nominated in the category five times including each year from 2002-2005.

Martina McBride also had four nominations for the 2007 CMA Awards including Female Vocalist, Single, Song and Music Video of the Year for "Anyway," which she co-wrote with Brad Warren and Brett Warren. The music video was directed by Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV. McBride could pick up an additional trophy as producer for Single of the Year for the inspiring ballad.

John Rich scored a variety of three nominations in 2007 including Vocal Duo and Single of the Year for "Lost In This Moment" with partner Big Kenny Alphin as Big & Rich (which they also produced), and as a songwriter with Keith Anderson and Rodney Clawson for "Lost In This Moment."

After winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon Award in 2006, Carrie Underwood is back in 2007 with three nominations for Female Vocalist, Single for "Before He Cheats" and Music Video of the Year for the same song directed by Roman White. Songwriters for "Before He Cheats" Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins were nominated for Song of the Year.

Reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Keith Urban had three nominations for Entertainer, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, which he co-produced with Dann Huff, who is a Musician of the Year nominee. Songwriters Dave Berg, Deanna Bryant and Sarah Buxton also received a nomination for Song of the Year for Urban's "Stupid Boy." Urban has won the Male Vocalist Award every year he has been nominated (2004-2006). He won Entertainer of the Year in 2005.

Rounding out the nominees for Entertainer of the Year is Rascal Flatts. The group was first nominated in the category in 2006. The category has only been won by two groups in CMA Awards history: Alabama (1982, 1983, 1984) and Dixie Chicks (2000). Rascal Flatts has swept the Vocal Group of the Year category the past four years and is nominated in that category again in 2007.

Completing the list of nominees in the Vocal Group of the Year category are Dixie Chicks, Emerson Drive and Little Big Town. Dixie Chicks have won the category four times (1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002) and were last nominated in 2003. This marks Emerson Drive's first CMA Awards nomination. They also received a nomination for Music Video of the Year for "Moments" directed by Steven Goldmann. Little Big Town was nominated for the first time in the Vocal Group category in 2006. They also received their second Horizon Award nomination this year.

Expectation surrounds the Female Vocalist of the Year category. Rounding out the list with McBride, Krauss and Underwood are Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire. This marks Lambert's first nomination in this category. She received her first CMA Awards nomination in 2005 for the Horizon Award and in 2006 was nominated for Horizon and Music Video of the Year.

McBride and McEntire are tied with the most wins in the Female Vocalist category in history - even surpassing Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette's previous records. McBride won in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004. McEntire won in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. McEntire was last nominated in the category in 2004. With her two nominations, McEntire solidifies her position as the female artist with the most nominations (45) in the 41-year history of the CMA Awards.

She is also nominated in the Musical Event of the Year category with Kelly Clarkson for "Because of You," marking the "American Idol" winner's first CMA Awards nomination.

This is the first year that Josh Turner's name is on the list of nominees for Male Vocalist of the Year. Turner was nominated for the Horizon Award in 2004 and 2006.

An artist may only be nominated for the Horizon Award two times and this year there are several new hopefuls joining two-time nominee Little Big Town on the list including Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift.

Dierks Bentley won his first CMA Award in 2005 with the Horizon trophy and in 2007, he received his first nomination for Album of the Year for Long Trip Alone, produced by Brett Beavers. A CMA Awards voter favorite, Vince Gill, is also nominated for Album of the Year for These Days. Gill could pick up an additional trophy as producer with John Hobbs and Justin Niebank.

Sugarland makes its debut in the Vocal Duo of the Year category this year with fellow nominees Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, and The Wreckers.

The 2006 CMA Awards, held in Nashville during November Sweeps (Nov. 6), ranked in the Top 5 with the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, Grammy Awards and Emmy's during the 2006-2007 season for awards shows among total viewers. With "The 40th Annual CMA Awards," ABC won Monday evening in both total viewers (16.0 million) and adults 18-49 (5.4/13). According to Nielsen, research estimates that more than 30 million viewers watched all or part of the ceremony.

The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards were broadcast on NBC Television for the first time - making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971 and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005.

Winners of "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" will be determined in a third and final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

In addition to live coverage of today's events, the special edition of CMT's "CMT Insider" will re-air immediately following the live broadcast at 10:30 AM/ET; and again at 1:00 PM/ET; and on Friday, Aug. 31 at 8:00 AM/ET and 1:30 PM/ET; and Saturday, Sept. 1 at 10:30 AM/ET. Footage from the nomination special will also be available immediately following the telecast on CMT's broadband channel, CMT LOADED at CMT.com.

Additionally, a video news release including footage of the nominee announcements, exclusive interviews, performance footage from the 2006 CMA Awards, music video clips, and more will be serviced today, Thursday, Aug. 30 (3:00-3:30 PM/ET; 2:00-2:30 PM/CT). The VNR package will be available by Transponder - GAL 26-C9; SubCarriers - Audio 6.2 and 6.8; Downlink Frequency - Analog.Down 3880H.

If you have difficulty picking up the VNR feed, please contact IntelSat at (404) 638-2000; or Maria Eckhardt in the CMA Communications Department at (615) 664-1637, or by e-mail at meckhardt@CMAworld.com.

"The 41st Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer, Robert Deaton is the Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2007 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Mary Kay(R) is the Official Beauty Sponsor. Additional promotional partners include Crisco(R), Gibson Guitar(R), and Greased Lightning(R) Cleaning Products.

   The final nominees for the 2007 CMA Awards are:                           ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR                               Kenny Chesney                                Brad Paisley                               Rascal Flatts                               George Strait                                Keith Urban                          FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR                               Alison Krauss                              Miranda Lambert                              Martina McBride                               Reba McEntire                              Carrie Underwood                           MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR                               Kenny Chesney                                Brad Paisley                               George Strait                                Josh Turner                                Keith Urban                                 HORIZON AWARD                                Jason Aldean                               Rodney Atkins                              Little Big Town                               Kellie Pickler                                Taylor Swift                            VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR          Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas                                Dixie Chicks                               Emerson Drive                              Little Big Town                               Rascal Flatts                             VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR                                 Big & Rich                               Brooks & Dunn                             Montgomery Gentry                                 Sugarland                                The Wreckers                               SINGLE OF THE YEAR                    (Award goes to Artist and Producer)                                  "Anyway"                              Martina McBride                        Produced by Martina McBride                                RCA Records                              "Before He Cheats"                              Carrie Underwood                          Produced by Mark Bright                    19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records                            "Lost In This Moment"                                 Big & Rich                    Produced by Big Kenny and John Rich                           Warner Bros. Nashville                                   "Ticks"                                Brad Paisley                 Produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois                              Arista Nashville                                  "Wrapped"                               George Strait                  Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait                               MCA Nashville                               ALBUM OF THE YEAR                    (Award goes to Artist and Producer)                                  5th Gear                                Brad Paisley                 Produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois                              Arista Nashville                            It Just Comes Natural                               George Strait                  Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait                               MCA Nashville                               Long Trip Alone                               Dierks Bentley                         Produced by Brett Beavers                         Capitol Records Nashville                      Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing                                Keith Urban                   Produced by Dann Huff and Keith Urban                         Capitol Records Nashville                                  These Days                                 Vince Gill           Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs and Justin Niebank                               MCA Nashville                                SONG OF THE YEAR              (Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)                                  "Anyway"                  Martina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren                   Delemmava Music/Bucky and Clyde Music                              "Before He Cheats"                          Josh Kear/Chris Tompkins     That Little House Music/Mighty Under Dog Music/Sony/ATV Cross Keys                                "Give It Away"                  Bill Anderson/Buddy Cannon/Jamey Johnson         Sony/ATV Tree/Mr. Bubba Music/Slow Run Music/EMI Blackwood                            "Lost In This Moment"                  John Rich/Keith Anderson/Rodney Clawson            Rich Texan Music/Warner-Tamerlane/Writer's Extreme/                        EMI April Music/Romeo Cowboy                                 "Stupid Boy"                    Dave Berg/Deanna Bryant/Sarah Buxton     Song Planet/That Little House Music/Cal IV Songs/ BergBrain Music                           MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR                           (Award to each Artist)                     Reba McEntire with Kelly Clarkson                              "Because of You"                               MCA Nashville            Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney                      "Find Out Who Your Friends Are"                         Rocky Comfort Records/CO5              Jimmy Buffett with George Strait and Alan Jackson                         "Hey Good Lookin'" (Live)                               MCA Nashville                         Alison Krauss and John Waite                               "Missing You"                              Rounder Records                 Vince Gill with Guest Vocalist Alison Krauss                              "The Reason Why"                               MCA Nashville                            MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR                    (Award goes to Artist and Director)                                  "Anyway"                              Martina McBride            Directed by Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV                              "Before He Cheats"                              Carrie Underwood                          Directed by Roman White                                  "Moments"                               Emerson Drive                        Directed by Steven Goldmann                                   "Online"                                Brad Paisley                        Directed by Jason Alexander                                "You Save Me"                               Kenny Chesney                          Directed by Shaun Silva                              MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR                         Eddie Bayers, Jr. - Drums                           Jerry Douglas - Dobro                             Dann Huff - Guitar                           Mac McAnally - Guitar                           Randy Scruggs - Guitar  

Source: Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl or Scott Stem, both of the Country Music
Association, +1-615-244-2840; Denise Carberry of PFA-NY, +1-212-334-6116;
Mozell Miley of ABC-NY, +1-212-456-6444

Web site: http://www.cmaworld.com/
http://www.cmaawards.com/
http://www.cmapress.com/

Note to Editors: Visit www.CMApress.com for CMA Awards history, photos, press releases and logos. On-line media credentialing for the CMA Awards begins Aug. 30. This is a protected site for the media only with restrictions on use. The public should be directed to www.CMAawards.com.

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Profile: International Entertainment