[wonton]

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney**
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Carrie Underwood**

Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley**
George Strait
Josh Turner
Keith Urban

--though I'm glad to see Josh Turner nominated in this category, he has a great voice.

Vocal Group
Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Dixie Chicks
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts**

--I'm surprised the Dixie Chicks are nominated, but they deserve it

Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland**
The Wreckers

--Time for Sugarland to take the cake

Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins**
Little Big Town
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift

--I think Rodney has had the most success, but I'm pulling for Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler or Jason Aldean

Album of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer.)

5th Gear**
Brad Paisley
Producers: Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville

It Just Comes Natural
George Strait
Producers: Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

Long Trip Alone
Dierks Bentley
Producer: Brett Beavers
Capitol Records Nashville

Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
Keith Urban
Producers: Dann Huff and Keith Urban
Capitol Records Nashville

These Days
Vince Gill
Producers: Vince Gill, John Hobbs and Justin Niebank
MCA Nashville

--I think it's a toss up between Brad and Keith

Single of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer.)

"Anyway"
Artist: Martina McBride
Producer: Martina McBride
RCA Records

"Before He Cheats"**
Artist: Carrie Underwood
Producer: Mark Bright
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records

"Lost in This Moment"
Artist: Big & Rich
Producers: Big Kenny and John Rich
Warner Bros. Nashville

"Ticks"
Artist: Brad Paisley
Producers: Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville

"Wrapped"
Artist: George Strait
Producers: Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

--cmon, biggest single of the past year.

Song of the Year
(Award goes to songwriter and primary publisher.)

"Anyway"
Songwriters: Martina McBride, Brad Warren and Brett Warren
Publishers: Delemmava Music, Bucky and Clyde Music

"Before He Cheats"*
Songwriters: Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins
Publishers: That Little House Music, Mighty Under Dog Music and Sony/ATV Cross Keys

"Give It Away"
Songwriters: Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson
Publishers: Sony, ATV Tree, Mr. Bubba Music, Slow Run Music and EMI Blackwood

"Lost in This Moment"
Songwriters: John Rich, Keith Anderson and Rodney Clawson
Publishers: Rich Texan Music, Warner-Tamerlane, Writer's Extreme, EMI April Music and Romeo Cowboy

"Stupid Boy"
Songwriters: Dave Berg, Deanna Bryant and Sarah Buxton
Publishers: Song Planet, That Little House Music, Cal IV Songs and BergBrain Music

--BHC is unstoppable

Musical Event
"Because of You"
Artists: Reba McEntire With Kelly Clarkson
MCA Nashville

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are"**
Artists: Tracy Lawrence Featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
Rocky Comfort Records, CO5

"Hey Good Lookin'" (Live)
Artists: Jimmy Buffett With George Strait and Alan Jackson
MCA Nashville

Artists: Alison Krauss and John Waite
"Missing You"
Rounder Records

"The Reason Why"
Artists: Vince Gill With Guest Vocalist Alison Krauss
MCA Nashville

--I love Because of You, but Find Out Who Your Friends Are is such a great song with awesome lyrics, plus Kenny, Tim, and Tracy sound great together

Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to artist and director)

"Anyway"
Artist: Martina McBride
Directors: Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV

"Before He Cheats"**
Artist: Carrie Underwood
Director: Roman White

"Moments"
Artist: Emerson Drive
Director: Steven Goldmann

"Online"
Artist: Brad Paisley
Director: Jason Alexander

"You Save Me"
Artist: Kenny Chesney
Director: Shaun Silva

Solid contenders, but I think Carrie will rule

Musician
Eddie Bayers Jr. -- Drums
Jerry Douglas -- Dobro
Dann Huff -- Guitar
Mac McAnally -- Guitar
Randy Scruggs -- Guitar

I have no idea!


Overall, I'm glad to see Martina, Josh Turner, and Dixie Chicks nominated because I think they definitely deserve it. We all knew Carrie would be nominated in what she's nominated, so that's a + too.