Kenny Chesney has garnered a leading seven nominations for November’s 42nd annual Country Music Association Awards.

George Strait and Sugarland earned five nominations each, but Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles added to her individual total with a songwriting nod for the hit “Stay.” Sugarland also received its first-ever Entertainer of the Year nomination, which will pit the duo against Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and the reigning winner, Kenny.

"These talented performers, musicians, songwriters, producers and directors demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity of our format,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese, “and the 2008 CMA Awards will definitely reflect that in November." Keep informed on
This Year’s CMA Awards

The final nominees are:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Sugarland
• Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Alison Krauss
• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Kenny Chesney
• Alan Jackson
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Rodney Atkins
• Lady Antebellum
• James Otto
• Kellie Pickler

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Eagles
• Emerson Drive
• Lady Antebellum
• 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)

• “Don’t Blink”
  – Kenny Chesney
  Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
• “Gunpowder & Lead”
  – Miranda Lambert
  Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
• “I Saw God Today”
  – George Strait
  Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
• “Stay”
  – Sugarland
  Produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles
• “You’re Gonna Miss This”
  – Trace Adkins
  Produced by Frank Rogers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

• Carnival Ride – Carrie Underwood
  Produced by Mark Bright
• Cowboy Town – Brooks & Dunn
  Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
• Good Time – Alan Jackson
  Produced by Keith Stegall
• Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates – Kenny Chesney
  Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
• Troubadour – George Strait
  Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait

SONG OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Songwriter)

• “Good Time,”
  – Alan Jackson
  (Recorded by Alan Jackson)
• “I Saw God Today,”
  – Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby
  (Recorded by George Strait)
• “Letter to Me,”
  – Brad Paisley
  (Recorded by Brad Paisley)
• “Stay,”
  – Jennifer Nettles
  (Recorded by Sugarland)
• “You’re Gonna Miss This,”
  – Lee Thomas Miller and Ashley Gorley
  (Recorded by Trace Adkins)

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

• Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood, “Another Try”
• Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney, “Every Other Weekend”
• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Gone, Gone, Gone”
• Sugarland, Little Big Town and Jake Owen, “Life in a Northern Town”
• Kenny Chesney and George Strait, “Shiftwork”

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist and Director)

• “Don’t Blink,”
  – Kenny Chesney
  Directed by Shaun Silva
• “Good Time,”
  – Alan Jackson
  Directed by Trey Fanjoy
• “Stay,”
  – Sugarland
  Directed by Shaun Silva
• “Waitin’ on a Woman,”
  – Brad Paisley
  Directed by Jim Shea
• “You’re Gonna Miss This,”
  – Trace Adkins
  Directed by Peter Zavadil

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jerry Douglas, Dobro
• Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
• Dann Huff, Guitar
• Brent Mason, Guitar
• Mac McAnally, Guitar

Keep informed on
This Year’s CMA Awards