Alan Jackson photo courtesy of ACR/EMI Records Nashville.

Alan Jackson is once again nominated alongside Zac Brown Band for Musical Event of the Year at the CMA Awards for their duet “Dixie Highway.” They were nominated last year as well for “As She’s Walking Away.” Their two nominations in the category may have to do with the fact that Alan just likes Zac.

“I like artists, and I like Zac, that are the real thing,” Alan said. “He’s not just a singer, a guy that got out of college and said, ‘Hey, I wanna be a country singer and move to Nashville.’ He’s a guy who was singing and really making a living doing it playing clubs and things that I did too. He’s created his own sound and his own musical style. It’s not real hard country, but it’s rootsy. I like that kind of sound.”

Vintage CMA Awards Photos — 1960s through 1990s >>

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Lady Antebellum photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Lady Antebellum is nominated in two categories at Thursday’s CMA Awards, including Vocal Group of the Year, a trophy they’ve picked up the last three years, and Album of the Year for Own The Night. The Album of the Year nod is extra special for the group.

“When we found out that the album was nominated, it was just such an amazing feeling,” Charles Kelley said. “Own the Night is really special to us and really a nostalgic record for us. And so, to see it still get recognized like that is a special thing. There’s just so many great records in that category and so, it’s awesome. We definitely don’t take it for granted.” Continue Reading

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Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of the Country Music Association.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood kept their hosting skills in shape for the by CMA Awards – or at least tried to – by hosting Bingo Night and greeting dinner parties. Since those didn’t work out so well, they aimed for a younger audience. Watch the clip below to see how they fared hosting a child’s birthday party!

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46th Annual CMA Awards

The lineup for The 46^th Annual CMA Awards just keeps growing! Vince Gill, Hunter Hayes and Keith Urban are the latest names added to those scheduled to perform. Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, and The Band Perry have been announced as the first round of presenters. Hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, “Country Music’s Biggest Night” will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC November 1 at 8/7 p.m. CT.

Vintage CMA Awards Photos — 1960s through 1990s >>

CMA Awards Photos — 2000s >>

Previously announced performers include Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift and Little Big Town. Continue Reading

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Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of the Country Music Association.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood like to practice their hosting skills leading up to the CMA Awards. Since hosting Bingo Night didn’t work out so well for them, the pair gave hostessing at a restaurant a shot. Watch the clip below to see how well that turned out for them!

Perhaps Brad should lose the guitar? Continue Reading

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Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of the Country Music Association.

How do Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood stay sharp when it comes to hosting the CMA Awards? By hosting other events, of course! They might not be asked to return as hosts of weekly bingo night, however. Watch this clip to find out why:

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46th Annual CMA Awards

Nominees for The 46^th Annual CMA Awards Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum, and reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton join the performance lineup for “Country Music’s Biggest Night™.” Tickets for the three-hour gala have sold out for the fourth year in a row.

The 46^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted for the fifth time by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Thursday, Nov. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Paisley, The Band Perry, Underwood, and Zac Brown Band.

New to the Vocal Group of the Year category with their first CMA Awards nomination is the Eli Young Band. But it wasn’t the only “first” associated with the group. Songwriters Will Hoge and Eric Paslay, each received their first CMA Awards nomination for Song of the Year for writing “Even if It Breaks Your Heart,” which was recorded by the Eli Young Band. The song was the first No. 1 for Hoge, who is a solo artist in his own right. Paslay also has a blossoming solo career and has penned songs for Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, and Love and Theft.

Brantley Gilbert received his first CMA Awards nomination in the New Artist of the Year category in 2012 and he will be making his first CMA Awards performance on the three-hour gala. Artists can only be included in this category Continue Reading

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46th Annual CMA Awards

Even more country stars have been added to the lineup for The 46^th Annual CMA Awards! The night’s co-host, Carrie Underwood, will take the stage along with Kenny Chesney, Eric Church and The Band Perry.

Previously announced performers include co-host Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson and Little Big Town. “Country Music’s Biggest Night” will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC November 1 at 8/7 p.m. CT. Continue Reading

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Sugarland’s Kristian Bush. Photo courtesy of the CMA.

The CMA Songwriter Series will return to Nashville on Wednesday, October 31 at Marathon Music Works with Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Brantley Gilbert and host Bob DiPiero. The series is part of CMA’s Country Music Month spotlighting the genre leading up to the CMA Awards on November 1.

“The CMA Awards bring out the best in everybody, and that applies to fans of Country Music as well – just being around the energy of Nashville during CMA Week is contagious,” Kristian said. “So to play this CMA Songwriters Showcase for all those dedicated fans, in the middle of all that energy? What an incredible honor. It feels like the Super Bowl of writers’ nights. I can only imagine how exciting it’s going to be to perform.” Continue Reading

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46th Annual CMA Awards

The star studded lineup of performers for The 46^th Annual CMA Awards keeps on growing. Brad Paisley will do double duty, co-hosting the show alongside Carrie Underwood and also performing. Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Zac Brown Band have also been added to the lineup.

Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson and Little Big Town. Country Music’s Biggest Night’ will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC November 1 at 8/7 p.m. CT. Continue Reading

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