2011 CMT MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES

Vote at CMT.com until June 7th.

The show is live from Nashville on June 8th.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean, "My Kinda Party"
• Kenny Chesney, "The Boys Of Fall"
• Lady Antebellum, "Hello World"
• Miranda Lambert, "The House That Built Me"
• Rascal Flatts, "Why Wait"
• Sugarland, "Stuck Like Glue"
• Taylor Swift, "Mine"
• The Band Perry, "If I Die Young"
• Carrie Underwood, "Undo It"
• Zac Brown Band, "Colder Weather"

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean, "My Kinda Party"
• Kenny Chesney, "The Boys Of Fall"
• Toby Keith, "Bullets In The Gun"
• Blake Shelton, "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking"
• Keith Urban, "Without You"

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Sara Evans, "A Little Bit Stronger"
• Miranda Lambert, "The House That Built Me"
• Reba, "Turn On The Radio"
• Taylor Swift, "Mine"
• Carrie Underwood, "Undo It"

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Lady Antebellum, "Hello World"
• Little Big Town, "Little White Church"
• Rascal Flatts, "Why Wait"
• The Band Perry, "If I Die Young"
• Zac Brown Band, "Colder Weather"

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Steel Magnolia, "Last Night Again"
• Sugarland, "Stuck Like Glue"
• The Civil Wars, "Barton Hollow"
• The JaneDear girls, "Wildflower"
• Thompson Square, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not"

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Lee Brice, "Love Like Crazy"
• Aaron Lewis, "Country Boy"
• Jerrod Niemann, "Lover, Lover"
• The Band Perry, "If I Die Young"
• Thompson Square, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not"

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, "Don't You Wanna Stay"
• Justin Bieber feat. Rascal Flatts, "That Should Be Me"
• Kid Rock feat. Sheryl Crow, "Collide"
• Aaron Lewis featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels, "Country Boy"
• Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow, "Coal Miner's Daughter"'

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

• Martina McBride and Train, "A Broken Wing" from "CMT Crossroads: Train and Martina McBride"
• Reba, "If I Were A Boy" from "Unplugged: Reba"
• Darius Rucker and Adele, "Need You Now" from "2010 CMT Artists of the Year"
• Keith Urban and John Mayer, "Sweet Thing" from "CMT Crossroads: John Mayer and Keith Urban"
• Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett, "Margaritaville" from "CMT Crossroads: Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band"

BEST WEB VIDEO OF THE YEAR (New for 2011; Best video created primarily for internet streaming)

• Jason Aldean, "My Kinda Party" (Live From The CMT Webcast)
• Luke Bryan, "It's A Shore Thing"
• Lady Antebellum, "Stars Tonight"
• Blake Shelton, "Kiss My Country Ass"
• Taylor Swift, "Mine" (Live from the Speak Now Album Release Party)

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

• Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow's "Collide" and the JaneDear girl's "Wildflower")
• Trey Fanjoy (award eligible videos include Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" and Blake Shelton's "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking")
• Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include Carrie Underwood's "Undo It" and Keith Urban's "Without You")
• David McClister (award eligible videos include The Band Perry's "If I Die Young" and LeAnn Rimes' "Swingin'")
• Roman White (award eligible videos include Lady Antebellum's "Hello World" and Kellie Pickler's "Makin' Me Fall In Love Again")

Vote at CMT.com until June 7th.

RONNIE DUNN'S DEBUT SOLO ALBUM COVER ART

Here it is!!!

It's coming out June 7th and I'm super excited for this CD from the wonderful Ronnie Dunn. Ronnie had a hand in writing 9 of the 12 songs. He also worked with Terry McBride, who also worked with Brooks & Dunn. In fact, Terry wrote "Play Something Country," "Proud of the House We Built," and "That's What She Gets For Loving Me."

COUNTRY'S HOTTEST BACHELOR IS....

CHRIS YOUNG!!!

It's the 2nd time in 3 years that Chris has been voted Country's Hottest Bachelor by Country Weekly readers. The 25 year old says it's "thrilling" to be recognized, but since we vote on this it's "fun since it comes from the fans."

The full list is in the current Country Weekly.

HAPPY EASTER

Hopefully Mother Nature will play nice and we'll have a decent weekend for egg hunts and candy.


Not to mention looking gorgeous in your new Easter outfit and hat for church. That was always a big thing when I was a kid - getting super dressed up for Easter. I remember the year I was about 6 and my pretty white dress with black patten leather Mary Janes.

We are hosting Easter for the first time this year so I'm really excited. We'll be dying eggs for the first time in over a decade. I can't believe the number of egg coloring kits out now. I have a regular one, a tie-dye kit, and a shiny egg kit that involves some kind of pretty wrap that makes the eggs look like jewels to me. (Yes I did buy three kits!)

My family always has an Easter egg hunt and our backyard is pretty bit so it will be fun to hide them. Since we are hosting we get to hide them. Adults and children compete - though we adults usually go pretty easy on the kids, so they end up with the most.

I have only bought 2 cartons of marshmallow eggs this year - which is amazingly good for us. It's our favorite Easter candy - I just wish they didn't come in huge styrofoam containers. The trick is to not buy a lot of Easter candy ahead of time so it can make its way into the eggs we hide.

I have been keeping up my Snap Fitness workouts and have been watching what I eat so I know I am still making progress with my healthy lifestyle. I know I can have a great Easter without feeling guilty. I still don't want to completely pig out, but I know I can indulge. I can have my Easter Eggs and eat them too!

Hope you have a wonderful Easter.

2011 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS

The awards will be handed out on May 22nd in Vegas. (Yet another example of "what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas! ;)

Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift cleaned up in nominations with seven each - several in the all-genre categories.

Lady Antebellum and Keith Urban will perform at the event. (Keith isn't even up for an award - sad!)

Here's the country nominations

Top Country Artist

• Jason Aldean
• Kenny Chesney
• Lady Antebellum
• Taylor Swift
• Zac Brown Band

Top Country Album

• Jason Aldean - My Kind of Party
• Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
• Sugarland - Incredible Machine
• Taylor Swift - Speak Now
• Zac Brown Band - The Foundation

Top Country Song

• The Band Perry - "If I Die Young"
• Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now"
• Miranda Lambert - "The House That Built Me"
• Sugarland - "Stuck Like Glue"
• Taylor Swift - "Mine"

Here are the all-genre nominations which include our country stars.

Top Artist

• Justin Bieber
• Eminem
• Lady Gaga
• Rihanna
• Taylor Swift

Top Female Artist

• Ke$ha
• Lady Gaga
• Katy Perry
• Rihanna
• Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group

• Black Eyed Peas
• Bon Jovi
• Lady Antebellum
• Linkin Park
• U2

Top Billboard 200 Artist

• Justin Bieber
• Susan Boyle
• Eminem
• Lady Antebellum
• Taylor Swift

Top Streaming Song (Audio)

• Taio Cruz - "Dynamite"
• Eminem f/ Rihanna - "Love the Way You Lie"
• Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now"
• Bruno Mars - "Just the Way You Are"
• Nelly - "Just a Dream"

MIRANDA HELPS THE ANIMALS OF JAPAN

We know Ran is an animal lover - every year she does a benefit for her local Humane Society and founded the Muttnation Foundation - so it's no surprise that she is reaching out to help out the animals that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

She has a fundraiser running through her Muttnation Foundation for the critters that were lost, abandoned or injured during the devastation. (That is one of the things I really worry about if a disaster would strike - what about my animals?)

Muttnation has special bracelets for sale - they're brown silicone and feature the phrase "Muttnation Cares" with the organizations logo in pink lettering.

Here's what it says on Miranda's website: "Please help us do our part in making sure every animal impacted by this tragedy has a chance to recover and look forward to a brighter, happier future!"

You can order the bracelet - which is only $5 - at MirandaLambert.com

MIRANDA LAMBERT TV SHOW

ABC Family is developing a drama series based on her early life. Miranda's folks were Private Investigators that dealt with issues like bitter divorce, custody battles and domestic violence (no wonder she fits so well in the country genre - she watched people living country songs!). Her family did struggle at times and sometimes they talked where little ears could hear.

The show will be semi-autobiographical and will be about married PI's and their kids who help them.

Miranda and her mom Beverly will be executive producers and "Memphis Beat" writer and producer Scott Kaufer is on board.

ACM RATINGS

The Academy of Country Music Awards were a win all night long for CBS over NBC, ABC, & FOX.

Zap2It.com says the show drew 13.3 million viewers the first hour, 13.6 the second hour, and 11.9 during it's last hour.

Way to go ACM viewers!

Country Rules!

ACM Fashions from the carpet

Miranda Lambert

Laura Bell Bundy

Sunny Sweeney

Little Big Town

Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland

Kristian Bush from Sugarland

Taylor Swift

Darius Rucker

Nancy O'Dell

Justin Moore

Julianne Hough

Josh Kelley

Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum

Emily West

Joey + Rory (Rory always has to wear those overalls :)

Jake Owen

Shawna Thompson - 1/2 of Thompson Square

Big n Rich

ACM #11

Love the jacket that Alan Jackson wears as he introduces Zac Brown Band and James Taylor. I hear the opening of “Colder Weather” that then morphs into a James Taylor tune. Very, very nice!

Ryan Seacrest gets to hand out the big award? BIG THUMBS DOWN TO THAT!!!

Looks like Mother Nature is rewarding me for that thought as my satellite went out due to heavy rain! Kendra on Facebook tells me it's Taylor Swift though. Thanks Kendra.

I'm not happy about missing the beginning of The Killing now though - hopefully AMC will rerun it.

ACM #10

Blake intros Reba - and gets mad at himself for his tiny stumble.

I'm digging this new song from Reba - she has so much talent. She is my Female Vocalist pick.

Well here's what I've been waiting for - Rob Pattinson - oh and Reese Witherspoon! I am so excited to see Water For Elephants on 4/22. CUTIE!!!! And he washed his hair! :)

Female Vocalist = Miranda Lambert

Wow - there is no time for speeches tonight - just music, music, music.

Now the Water For Elephants trailer. The book was soooooooo good and the movie looks great!

ACM #9

"Give the kid a break" LOL funny that Reba calls Ronnie Dunn a kid as she and Blake introduce him to perform "Bleed Red." Sounds excellent. Standing O for Ronnie.

Now it's Naomi & Wynonna Judd to present Sugarland with the Top Duo Award. :) You know, Wy has supposedly lost a bunch of weight - I wish she would dress a bit better to show it off.

Top Duo = Sugarland

I do like the showgirls with those huge headdresses!

Now Martina performs her new single "Teenage Daughters" which will be a smash - I don't have kids but I can relate 'cuz I was a Teenage Daughter! :p

Now we have Marg Helgenberger to introduce Top Male Vocalist.

Top Male Vocalist = Brad Paisley

Gotta love Brad thanking his dog Holler!

Chris Young & Julianne Hough (the remake of Footloose makes me ill!!!)

Chris needs some energy! They talk about ACM's Lifting Lives charity.

Darius Rucker performs "Music From the Heart" which Chris Young, Brett James and the kids of Lifting Lives wrote. (LOVE Hootie!) How touching to see the chorus of kids from Lifting Lives. Hopefully I can get this to play it on Monday! It was wonderful!

ACM #8

Blake introduces Miranda Lambert in a very funny way as he talks about their wedding and how she is planning it all and he is just paying for it.

Miranda sings "Heart Like Mine."

Even her microphone is pink!!

Kristin Bush introduces Jennifer Nettles and Rihanna performing "California King Bed."

I can't hear the lyrics very well. At least if was more country than R&B.

ACM #7

More Blake and Reba silly banter and another mention of Charlie Sheen (who's tour bombed bigtime it's first night).

Sara Evans is on performing "A Little Bit Stronger." John says he likes it - even though he is bored out of his mind. When was the last time she performed on a country award show? Welcome back Sara!

Now here comes Donny & Marie - who have released a country song.

Vocal Group of the Year = Lady Antebellum

Now here's Montgomery Gentry. We get a recap of all the fun we could have if we went. Future vacation anyone?

ACM #6

Reba introduces the fantastic Blake Shelton to perform a new song. Loved it!

Miranda comes out in her pretty pink dress to present Album of the Year.

Album of the Year = Need You Now by Lady Antebellum!

The speeches are pretty short this year.

ACM #5

Jason Aldean performs "Dirt Road Anthem" after a bit of banter from Reba and Blake.

Nancy O'Dell's dress is pretty. I am not that big of fan of her voice or style - it's too fake. Too '80's DJ! LOL

Single of the Year = "The House That Built Me." I'm 0-3 on my predictions so far.

Don't you think they should make the microphones movable so the people don't have to bend down to talk into them?

ACM #4

Taylor Swift sings her new song "Mean." She's given it a bluegrass feel and I like it! This would have been my anthem as a picked on child. She sounded really good.

Finally! Some country music presenters. Little Big Town introduces The Band Perry to perform their mega-hit "If I Die Young." Nice.

2010 New Artist & New Solo Artist Luke Bryan is on now to introduce the 2011 New Artist. (can't wait to see Luke at the Dodge County Fair this August!)

Top New Artist = The Band Perry - nice speech

ACM #3

Keith Urban performs "Without You."

Back to Sugarland to introduce Eric Church and "Smoke a Little Smoke."

Now we have some actress model I've never heard of and Chace Crawford. To award Song of the Year. What BS - I am not happy with all the non-country people involved. They don't even look like they want to be there!

Song of the Year = The House That Built Me.

I love Miranda's pretty pink dress. Miranda is very gracious and lets the writers talk.

Bethany Hamilton and AnnaSophia Robb introduce Carrie Underwood.

Yikes - what is Carrie wearing!? And she's singing "Undo It."

OMG! Here comes Stephen Tyler! I was wondering why Carrie had that scarf on her mic.

Now they're doing "Walk This Way."

I guess 'cuz she is from Idol they can bring him on even though that show is on FOX not CBS. lol

Standing O for their performance. They brought the house down.

Reba and Blake heading over to the Mandaley Bay Resort for Sugarland.

Sugarland performs "Tonight" from "Incredible Machine." Jenn's got some nice hair extensions in.

They are Sugarland and they are AWESOME!!!

Love how the crowd shot shows a guy illegally recording them on his camera! :)

Dierks Bentley now sings "Am I the Only One." He walks in from backstage singin. I LOVE DIERKS!!!! He goes out into the crowd! I would totally attack him.. YUMMY!!!

7:40 and no awards yet - just great performances!

ACM - Blog #1

Starts with Blake singing "Who Are You When I'm Not Lookin'" to a room filled with candle light and roses and what we first think is Miranda - but is really Reba. Kinda funny, though when they panned to Miranda I'm not sure she thought so.

First performance features Brad Paisley and Alabama performing his new song "Old Alabama." Which is number 18 on the charts just 3 weeks after its release.

Love that Brad is perfomring in ripped jeans and an old Alabam t-shirt.

Well here's one of the many non-country presenters - Celine Dion. (thumbs down) She intro's our hosts Blake & Reba. Not a bad opening.

Now Toby Keith performs "Somewhere Else."

heehee - Brad Garrett takes Reba and Blake down to hear Sugarland perform.

46th ACM'S THIS SUNDAY - NOMINEES & LEZLI'S PICKS

Watch them this Sunday at 7pm on CBS.

Entertainer of the Year

• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert - Lezli's Pick!
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban

Top Male Vocalist of the Year

• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton - Lezli's Pick
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist

• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire - Lezli's Pick
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack

Top Vocal Group of the Year

• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band
• The Band Perry
• Zac Brown Band - Lezli's Pick

Top Vocal Duo

• The JaneDear Girls
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland - Lezli's Pick

Top New Artist

• Eric Church - Lezli's Pick
• The Band Perry

Single of the Year - Award to artist/producers/record companies (tie)

• A Little More Country Than That - Easton Corbin
• As She's Walking Away - Zac Brown Band f/ Alan Jackson
• If I Die Young - The Band Perry
• Lee Brice - Love Like Crazy - Lezli's Pick
• The Boys of Fall - Kenny Chesney
• The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert

Song of the Year - Award to artist/composer/publisher

• A Little More Country Than That - Easton Corbin
• As She's Walking Away - Zac Brown Band f/ Alan Jackson
• If I Die Young - The Band Perry - Lezli's Pick
• Love Like Crazy - Lee Brice
• The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event of the Year (off camera)

• As She's Walking Away - Zac Brown Band f/ Alan Jackson - Lezli's Pick
• Blue Sky - Emily West f/ Keith Urban
• Coal Miner's Daughter - Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow & Miranda Lambert
• Cold Beer - Colt Ford f/ Jamey Johnson
• Good To Be Me - Uncle Kracker f/ Kid Rock (this could be an upset to my pick and I wouldn't be surprised)

Video of the Year

• Hillbilly Bone - Blake Shelton f/ Trace Adkins
• Only Prettier - Miranda Lambert
• Stuck Like Glue - Sugarland - Lezli's Pick
• The Boys of Fall - Kenny Chesney
• The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert

Album of the Year

• Hemingway's Whiskey - Kenny Chesney
• Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
• The Guitar Song - Jamey Johnson
• Speak Now - Taylor Swift
• Up On the Ridge - Dierks Bentley - Lezli's Pick
• You Get What You Give - Zac Brown Band

Lezli's True Album of the Year Pick

Get Off On the Pain - Gary Allan