CMA Awards Performers Announced

Although Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn announced in August that they were parting ways after making music together for almost two decades, Brooks & Dunn still have some unfinished business, including an ongoing tour and a date to take the stage at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards. Before saying goodbye for good, the duo have plans to tour one last time next year.

The CMA show will also feature performances by Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Carrie Underwood and first-time nominee Darius Rucker.

Underwood and Paisley will host the show, which airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

In addition to hosting and performing, Paisley is vying for the most awards of any artist. He snagged seven nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, Song for the Year, Album of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Musical Event of the Year. Paisley won Male Vocalist of the year in 2008 and 2007.

Two years ago Swift won the CMA Horizon Award for best new artist and now the nineteen-year-old singer is the youngest artist ever nominated for the Entertainer of the Year award. Swift and Paisley are competing with Chesney, Strait and Urban for the association’s top award. Swift is also nominated for Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

Urban picked up four more noms, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the year.

Chesney was also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the year. Last year Chesney picked up his fourth win for Entertainer of the Year.

Brooks & Dunn are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for their collaboration with McEntire on “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” Brooks & Dunn have taken home the Vocal Duo prize 14 times before.

McEntire was also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.

With a total of 79 nominations throughout his career, Strait is tied with Alan Jackson for most nominations in CMA Award history. This year Strait is also up for Male Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Musical Event of the year.

After winning Vocal Duo of the Year in 2007 and 2008, Sugarland is trying to keep its bragging rights to the title with another nomination in the category.  The duo was also nominated for Album of the Year.

Underwood was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year. If she picks up her fourth consecutive win vocalist award she’ll tie the record in this category with Martina McBride and McEntire.

Rucker, better known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish, was nominated for New Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year. He released his debut solo country album, Learn to Live, last year.

Click here for the Country Music Associations’ Web site and for ticket information.