Paisley and Strait top country music nods

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Brad Paisley and George Strait topped the list of finalists with five nominations each for the annual Country Music Association awards, the music industry group announced on Thursday.

The winners will be named at the 4lst annual CMA Awards Show on ABC-TV November 7, the Nashville, Tennessee-based organization said.

One of the five slots Paisley and Strait got was for the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” prize, for which they will compete along with Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban.

Paisley also was nominated in the male vocalist, album, single and music video categories while veteran Hall of Famer Strait was nominated for male vocalist, album, musical event and single.

Female Vocalist of the Year nominees were Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood. Male Vocalist of the Year nominees were Chesney, Paisley, Strait, Josh Turner and Urban. Horizon award nominees were Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift.

Vocal Group of the Year nominees were Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Dixie Chicks, Emerson Drive, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts.

Vocal Duo of the Year nominees were Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland, and The Wreckers. Single of the Year nominees were McBride with “Anyway” on RCA, Underwood with “Before He Cheats” on Arista, Big & Rich with “Lost in This Moment” on Warner Bros., Paisley with “Ticks” on Arista, and Strait with “Wrapped” on MCA.

Album of the Year nominees were “5th Gear” (Paisley), “It Just Comes Natural” (Strait), “Long Trip Alone” (Dierks Bentley), “Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy thing” (Urban), and “These Days” (Vince Gill).

Song of the Year nominees were songwriters McBride for “Anyway;” Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins for “Before He Cheats;” Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson for “Give It Away;” John Rich, Keith Anderson and Rodney Clawson for “Lost in This Moment;” and Dave Berg, Deanna Bryant and Sarah Buxton for “Stupid Boy.”

Musical Event of the Year nominees were Reba McEntire with Kelly Clarkson for “Because of You;” Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Chesney for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are;” Jimmy Buffett with Strait and Alan Jackson for “Hey Good Lookin’;” Krauss and John Waite for “Missing You;” and Vince Gill with guest vocalist Krauss for “The Reason Why.”

Music Video nominations went to McBride, Underwood, Emerson Drive, Paisley and Chesney.

Musician of the Year nominees were Eddie Bayers, Jr., Jerry Douglas, Dann Huff, Mac McAnally, and Randy Scruggs.