Kenny Chesney Leads Finalists with Seven Nominations for "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards"
Robert L. Doerschuk
September 29, 2008
Early on the morning of Sept. 10, in the studios of ABC News' "Good Morning America" on Times Square in New York City and at the Sommet Center in Downtown Nashville, the nominees for the 2008 CMA Awards were made public to the world.
Welcomed by ABC News correspondents Sam Champion and Robin Roberts, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift read the names of the finalists in five of the 12 CMA Awards categories live from New York on the ABC Television Network, after which CMA CEO Tammy Genovese took to the stage at the Sommet Center's Suite Level Club. Her comments, and the subsequent announcements of the remaining CMA Awards nominees as well as the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists, were carried live by CMT and to radio stations by CMA's official radio partner Premiere Radio Networks.
"Having both 'Good Morning America' and 'CMT Insider' broadcast our CMA Awards final nominees live brings an immediate national spotlight to these highly-anticipated announcements and allows fans across the country to experience the same thrill our artists and the industry feel as the names are read," Genovese observed.
Before a gathering of journalists, music industry leaders and other dignitaries, Genovese noted the consistent success of the CMA Awards on ABC-TV, with 34.6 million viewers watching all or part of the ceremony, making the 2007 broadcast No. 1 among the evening's programs among total viewers as well as adults ages 18 through 49, which also placed the show behind only the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards in total viewers among awards broadcasts during the 2007-2008 season.
"We can't wait to see where this year's show takes us," she added. "And we're excited to reveal the nominees for 'The 42nd Annual CMA Awards.'"
Lady Antebellum and James Otto then announced nominations in the remaining seven categories, on a special edition of CMT's "CMT Insider."
Kenny Chesney led the field with seven nominations. Chesney, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, was nominated in that category again, as well as Male Vocalist; Album for Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates; Single for "Don't Blink;" Music Video for "Don't Blink" along with director Shaun Silva; and twice for Musical Event, one with Reba McEntire for "Every Other Weekend" and another for "Shiftwork" with George Strait. Chesney could receive two additional trophies for co-producing his Album and Single with Buddy Cannon.
Jennifer Nettles collected six nominations - five with Sugarland plus a solo nod for writing "Stay," nominated for Song of the Year. The duo's five nominations include their first in the Entertainer category; Single for "Stay;" Vocal Duo, which they won for the first time in 2007; Musical Event for "Life in a Northern Town" with Little Big Town and Jake Owen; and Music Video for "Stay," also directed by Silva. Nettles and Kristian Bush may receive an additional trophy for producing "Stay" with Byron Gallimore.
George Strait received five nominations as well, for Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for Troubadour; Single for "I Saw God Today;" and Musical Event with Chesney on "Shiftwork." He could receive two more trophies for co-producing his Single and Album with Tony Brown. The writers of Strait's hit "I Saw God Today," Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby, picked up a nomination for Song of the Year.
Strait now has 75 career CMA Awards nominations, trailing only Alan Jackson, whose total rose to 79 with this year's nominations for Male Vocalist; Album for Good Time, produced by Keith Stegall; Song for "Good Time," written by Jackson; and Music Video for "Good Time," directed by Trey Fanjoy.
Like Jackson, Brad Paisley received four nominations, including Entertainer; Male Vocalist, which he won in 2007; Song for "Letter to Me," written by Paisley; and Music Video for "Waitin' on a Woman," directed by Jim Shea and Peter Tilden.
Keith Urban rounded out the Entertainer of the Year nominees. He also earned a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, a category he won in 2005.
After winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2006 and 2007, Carrie Underwood returned in 2008 with two nominations, again for Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for Carnival Ride, produced by Mark Bright.
Alison Krauss is also nominated for Female Vocalist as well as Musical Event for her performance with first-time CMA Awards nominee Robert Plant on "Gone, Gone, Gone." Nominated for the second consecutive year for Female Vocalist, Miranda Lambert also garnered a nomination for Single of the Year with "Gunpowder & Lead," produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke.
Completing the Female Vocalist category are reigning Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift, making her debut in the category, and four-time winner Martina McBride (1999, 2002-2004), whose four Female Vocalist wins tie her with Reba McEntire (1984-1987) for the greatest number of victories in that category, surpassing Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette's previous records. With her nomination for Musical Event of the Year with Chesney, McEntire boosts her career total to 46 nominations - more than any other female artist in the 42-year history of the CMA Awards.
More than 30 years since their two previous nominations for CMA Awards in the Vocal Group category (1976 and 1977), the Eagles returned to that category in 2008. Lady Antebellum debuted as Vocal Group nominees as well as being included among candidates for New Artist of the Year. After sweeping to victory in the Vocal Group category for five consecutive years, Rascal Flatts secured another nomination in 2008, while Emerson Drive, with its second nomination in that category, and Little Big Town, also nominated for Musical Event of the Year with Sugarland and Jake Owen, rounded out the list.Artists may be nominated only twice for a New Artist of the Year Award (formerly Horizon Award). This year's hopefuls are first-timers Lady Antebellum and James Otto, along with previous nominees Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins and Kellie Pickler.
The record for most CMA Awards goes to Brooks & Dunn, who have taken 19 trophies home. That number could rise by two in 2008, with their nominations for Vocal Duo - an honor they've won a record-setting 14 times - and Album of the Year for Cowboy Town, produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks.
Trace Adkins also received two nominations this year, with Single and Music Video mentions for his poignant "You're Gonna Miss This." The No. 1 hit also earned Song of the Year nominations for songwriters Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller.
"Country Music thrives on the talent and creativity of an outstanding group of artists, and they are well represented with our nominees," said Genovese. "These talented performers, musicians, songwriters, producers and directors demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity of our format, and the 2008 CMA Awards will definitely reflect that in November."
"We look forward to this exciting time of the year, when ABC spotlights the best and brightest of today's Country Music artists and their achievements," said Vicki Dummer, Senior VP, Alternative Series, Specials, and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "Today's announcement of these exceptional nominees begins our celebration of one of our biggest nights in programming - the CMA Awards."
"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958.
The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast on NBC Television for the first time, making it the longest running annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971, and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005.
Winners of "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Along with live coverage of the CMA Awards nominees press conference, the special edition of CMT's "CMT Insider" re-aired several times, and footage from the nomination special was made available at CMT.com. A video news release, which includes nominee announcements, exclusive interviews, music video clips and more, was serviced after the press conference.
"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. David Wild is the writer. The special, airing Nov. 12, will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2008 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Mary Kay is the Official Beauty Sponsor of the 2008 CMA Awards.
2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
Welcomed by ABC News correspondents Sam Champion and Robin Roberts, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift read the names of the finalists in five of the 12 CMA Awards categories live from New York on the ABC Television Network, after which CMA CEO Tammy Genovese took to the stage at the Sommet Center's Suite Level Club. Her comments, and the subsequent announcements of the remaining CMA Awards nominees as well as the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists, were carried live by CMT and to radio stations by CMA's official radio partner Premiere Radio Networks.
"Having both 'Good Morning America' and 'CMT Insider' broadcast our CMA Awards final nominees live brings an immediate national spotlight to these highly-anticipated announcements and allows fans across the country to experience the same thrill our artists and the industry feel as the names are read," Genovese observed.
Before a gathering of journalists, music industry leaders and other dignitaries, Genovese noted the consistent success of the CMA Awards on ABC-TV, with 34.6 million viewers watching all or part of the ceremony, making the 2007 broadcast No. 1 among the evening's programs among total viewers as well as adults ages 18 through 49, which also placed the show behind only the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards in total viewers among awards broadcasts during the 2007-2008 season.
"We can't wait to see where this year's show takes us," she added. "And we're excited to reveal the nominees for 'The 42nd Annual CMA Awards.'"
Lady Antebellum and James Otto then announced nominations in the remaining seven categories, on a special edition of CMT's "CMT Insider."
Kenny Chesney led the field with seven nominations. Chesney, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, was nominated in that category again, as well as Male Vocalist; Album for Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates; Single for "Don't Blink;" Music Video for "Don't Blink" along with director Shaun Silva; and twice for Musical Event, one with Reba McEntire for "Every Other Weekend" and another for "Shiftwork" with George Strait. Chesney could receive two additional trophies for co-producing his Album and Single with Buddy Cannon.
Jennifer Nettles collected six nominations - five with Sugarland plus a solo nod for writing "Stay," nominated for Song of the Year. The duo's five nominations include their first in the Entertainer category; Single for "Stay;" Vocal Duo, which they won for the first time in 2007; Musical Event for "Life in a Northern Town" with Little Big Town and Jake Owen; and Music Video for "Stay," also directed by Silva. Nettles and Kristian Bush may receive an additional trophy for producing "Stay" with Byron Gallimore.
George Strait received five nominations as well, for Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for Troubadour; Single for "I Saw God Today;" and Musical Event with Chesney on "Shiftwork." He could receive two more trophies for co-producing his Single and Album with Tony Brown. The writers of Strait's hit "I Saw God Today," Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby, picked up a nomination for Song of the Year.
Strait now has 75 career CMA Awards nominations, trailing only Alan Jackson, whose total rose to 79 with this year's nominations for Male Vocalist; Album for Good Time, produced by Keith Stegall; Song for "Good Time," written by Jackson; and Music Video for "Good Time," directed by Trey Fanjoy.
Like Jackson, Brad Paisley received four nominations, including Entertainer; Male Vocalist, which he won in 2007; Song for "Letter to Me," written by Paisley; and Music Video for "Waitin' on a Woman," directed by Jim Shea and Peter Tilden.
Keith Urban rounded out the Entertainer of the Year nominees. He also earned a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, a category he won in 2005.
After winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2006 and 2007, Carrie Underwood returned in 2008 with two nominations, again for Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for Carnival Ride, produced by Mark Bright.
Alison Krauss is also nominated for Female Vocalist as well as Musical Event for her performance with first-time CMA Awards nominee Robert Plant on "Gone, Gone, Gone." Nominated for the second consecutive year for Female Vocalist, Miranda Lambert also garnered a nomination for Single of the Year with "Gunpowder & Lead," produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke.
Completing the Female Vocalist category are reigning Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift, making her debut in the category, and four-time winner Martina McBride (1999, 2002-2004), whose four Female Vocalist wins tie her with Reba McEntire (1984-1987) for the greatest number of victories in that category, surpassing Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette's previous records. With her nomination for Musical Event of the Year with Chesney, McEntire boosts her career total to 46 nominations - more than any other female artist in the 42-year history of the CMA Awards.
More than 30 years since their two previous nominations for CMA Awards in the Vocal Group category (1976 and 1977), the Eagles returned to that category in 2008. Lady Antebellum debuted as Vocal Group nominees as well as being included among candidates for New Artist of the Year. After sweeping to victory in the Vocal Group category for five consecutive years, Rascal Flatts secured another nomination in 2008, while Emerson Drive, with its second nomination in that category, and Little Big Town, also nominated for Musical Event of the Year with Sugarland and Jake Owen, rounded out the list.Artists may be nominated only twice for a New Artist of the Year Award (formerly Horizon Award). This year's hopefuls are first-timers Lady Antebellum and James Otto, along with previous nominees Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins and Kellie Pickler.
The record for most CMA Awards goes to Brooks & Dunn, who have taken 19 trophies home. That number could rise by two in 2008, with their nominations for Vocal Duo - an honor they've won a record-setting 14 times - and Album of the Year for Cowboy Town, produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks.
Trace Adkins also received two nominations this year, with Single and Music Video mentions for his poignant "You're Gonna Miss This." The No. 1 hit also earned Song of the Year nominations for songwriters Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller.
"Country Music thrives on the talent and creativity of an outstanding group of artists, and they are well represented with our nominees," said Genovese. "These talented performers, musicians, songwriters, producers and directors demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity of our format, and the 2008 CMA Awards will definitely reflect that in November."
"We look forward to this exciting time of the year, when ABC spotlights the best and brightest of today's Country Music artists and their achievements," said Vicki Dummer, Senior VP, Alternative Series, Specials, and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "Today's announcement of these exceptional nominees begins our celebration of one of our biggest nights in programming - the CMA Awards."
"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958.
The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast on NBC Television for the first time, making it the longest running annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971, and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005.
Winners of "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Along with live coverage of the CMA Awards nominees press conference, the special edition of CMT's "CMT Insider" re-aired several times, and footage from the nomination special was made available at CMT.com. A video news release, which includes nominee announcements, exclusive interviews, music video clips and more, was serviced after the press conference.
"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. David Wild is the writer. The special, airing Nov. 12, will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2008 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Mary Kay is the Official Beauty Sponsor of the 2008 CMA Awards.
2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.