CMA Awards Tonight

The CMA Awards are on tonight. CMT has red carpet coverage beginning at 5pm (mountain) and the awards will be on ABC at 7pm. Will the Nashsville establishment prevail? Or will we see a few surprises? Check back here tonight. Let’s review the nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR - Kenny Chesney won in 2008
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR- Carrie Underwood won last year
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR- Brad Paisley reigns
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR- Lady Antebellum won in ‘08
Randy Houser
Jamey Johnson
Jake Owen
Darius Rucker
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR – Rascal Flatts has ruled this category
Eagles
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR- Sugarland has had the award for two years
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
SINGLE OF THE YEAR – George Strait’s “I Saw God Today” won in 2008
"Chicken Fried" Zac Brown Band
"I Run To You" Lady Antebellum
"In Color" Jamey Johnson
"People Are Crazy" Billy Currington
"Then" Brad Paisley
ALBUM OF THE YEAR – George Strait’s Troubadour won last year
American Saturday Night Brad Paisley
Defying Gravity Keith Urban
Fearless Taylor Swift
Love On The Inside Sugarland
That Lonesome Song Jamey Johnson
SONG OF THE YEAR- Sugarland’s “Stay” won in 2008
"Chicken Fried" Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette
"I Told You So" Randy Travis
"In Color" Jamey Johnson/Lee Thomas Miller/James Otto
"People Are Crazy" Bobby Braddock/Troy Jones
"Then" Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR- Robert Plant & Alison Krauss “Gone, Gone, Gone” was last year’s winner
"Start A Band" Brad Paisley and Keith Urban
"Cowgirls Don't Cry" Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
"Down The Road" Kenny Chesney (with Mac McAnally)
"Everything But Quits" Lee Ann Womack (duet with George Strait)
"I Told You So" Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis
"Old Enough" The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR- Brad Paisley’s “Waitin’ On A Woman”won in 2008
"Boots On" Randy Houser
"Love Story" Taylor Swift
"People Are Crazy"Billy Currington
"Start A Band" Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)
"Troubadour" George Strait


FUN FACTS ABOUT THE CMA AWARDS
The first CMA Award was designed in 1967 by Frank Waggoner, was crafted in walnut and resembled a “chart bullet.” …. The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was not a televised event and took place in 1967. …. Eddy Arnold earned the first Entertainer of the Year award in 1967. ….. The first live telecast of the CMA Awards aired in 1969. …. In 1978, the CMA Awards were simulcast on radio for the first time. …. In 1981, the Horizon Award was presented for the first time with Terri Gibbs taking the honor. …. In 1985, the Music Video of the Year Award was presented for the first time to Hank Williams Jr. for “All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight.” …. In 1991, President and Mrs. George Bush attend the broadcast, hosted by Reba McEntire.