Today was the big day that the awards were announced this morning on CBS-TV's "Early Show" by Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Julianne Hough and Jessica Simpson live from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The show will be April 5th on CBS.
Brad Paisley’s had the most with six.
Heidi Newfield had five nods - which is quite impressive considering she has just launched her solo career (I'm wondering how Ira Dean and Keith Burns feel about that - I'm sure they are happy for her).
Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson and George Strait all have four.
There was one exception to the announcements - Album of the Year. No nominations yet as the category "just wasn’t ready yet," according to a spokesperson. We can look for that in the first week of March - and I'll let you know. I'm thinkin' Sugarland's Love on the Inside and Taylor Swift's Fearless will be on the list. Oh, and I hope Lee Ann Womack's Call Me Crazy, and maybe Toby Keith's That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy. Sheesh, I just need to think of one more to fill out the list - why are they waiting? LOL And I just thought of the fifth album - Jamey Johnson's High Lonesome Sound. See, that wasn't tough at all!
Here are the 2009 Academy of Country Music Nominations:
Entertainer of the Year
· Kenny Chesney
· Brad Paisley
· George Strait
· Carrie Underwood
· Keith Urban
Whoo Hooo! A woman is in the category! Carrie must be over the moon! I wish they could do 6 'cuz Sugarland should be in there!
Top Male Vocalist
· Kenny Chesney
· Toby Keith
· Brad Paisley
· George Strait
· Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
· Miranda Lambert
· Heidi Newfield
· Taylor Swift
· Carrie Underwood
· Lee Ann Womack
Top Vocal Group
· Lady Antebellum
· Little Big Town
· Rascal Flatts
· Randy Rogers Band
· The Lost Trailers
Top Vocal Duo
· Big & Rich
· Brooks & Dunn
· Joey & Rory
· Montgomery Gentry
· Sugarland
Top New Male Vocalist
· Jamey Johnson
· James Otto
· Jake Owen
Top New Female Vocalist
· Sarah Buxton
· Julianne Hough
· Ashton Shepherd
Top New Duo or Group
· Eli Young Band
· The Lost Trailers
· Zac Brown Band
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
"Gunpowder & Lead" — Miranda Lambert
"In Color" — Jamey Johnson
"Johnny & June" — Heidi Newfield
"Waitin' On a Woman" — Brad Paisley
"You're Gonna Miss This" — Trace Adkins
SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
"I Saw God Today" George Strait
Writers: Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby
"In Color" Jamey Johnson
Writers: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto
"Johnny & June" Heidi Newfield
Writers: Deanna Bryant, Heidi Newfield, Stephony Smith
"Waitin' On a Woman" Brad Paisley
Writers: Don Sampson, Wynn Varble
"You're Gonna Miss This" Trace Adkins
Writer: Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
"Johnny & June" — Heidi Newfield
"Just A Dream" — Carrie Underwood
"Love Story" — Taylor Swift
"Troubadour" — George Strait
"Waitin' On A Woman" — Brad Paisley
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
"Another Try" — Josh Turner Featuring Trisha Yearwood
"Cowgirls Don't Cry" — Brooks & Dunn Featuring Reba McEntire
"Down The Road" — Kenny Chesney With Mac McAnally
"Life In A Northern Town" — Sugarland Featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen
"Start A Band" — Brad Paisley Duet With Keith Urban