Taylor Swift VMA Red Carpet - H 2013
Evan Agostini/Invision/APTaylor Swift enjoyed the biggest one-week sales tally of any artist in country music last year, and it was no surprise that the singer likewise enjoyed a big morning on Tuesday, as nominations were announced for the 47th Annual Country Music Association Awards in New York City.
The two-time Entertainer of the Year is in the running for this years’ top prize — alongside Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait — who is in the midst of a two-year The Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour. The nomination was Strait’s 82nd — breaking a tie with Alan Jackson for the most nominations in CMA history.
Swift was also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Red), and picked up a trio of nominations for her “Highway Don’t Care” collaboration with Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.
Swift will have to share the spotlight with newcomer Kacey Musgraves, who tallied six nominations as well. The Mercury recording artist was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Same Trailer Different Park), Single of the Year (for “Merry Go ‘Round”) and picked up a pair of nods in the Song of the Year category for “Merry Go ‘Round,” as well as “Mama’s Broken Heart,” which she co-wrote for Miranda Lambert.
Tallying five nominations was Warner Brothers’ Blake Shelton — who has a chance to repeat last years’ win for Entertainer of the Year. He also received nods for Male Vocalist, Album, Video, and Vocal Event, with the last two nominations coming for his “Boys’ Round Here” single with the Pistol Annies – a group that includes wife Lambert.
The nominations were announced by Sheryl Crow and Florida Georgia Line — who saw their name announced four times — for New Artist of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Single of the Year (for “Cruise”), and Vocal Event of the Year for their remix of “Cruise” with Nelly.
“A lot of cool things have happened, and we’re very blessed,” Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard told Billboard following the nominations announcement. “We’re hoping to work even harder next year, and keep this thing going.”
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Besides Nelly, another unlikely nominee this year was the legendary Bob Dylan, who received his first-ever CMA nomination in the Song of the Year category for “Wagon Wheel,” which became a hit this year for Darius Rucker.
Keith Urban — who releases his new album Fuse today, finished with four nominations, while reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town and Tim McGraw all received three. Having their name called twice during the morning were the Pistol Annies, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson and Lady Antebellum.
The 47th Annual Country Music Association Awards will be broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 6, on ABC. Underwood will co-host the telecast with Brad Paisley — marking the sixth straight year for the duo to emcee the event.
The full list of nominees is below.
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Eli Young Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
New Artist Of The Year
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
Florida Georgia Line
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Album of the Year
Blake Shelton, “Based on a True Story”
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
Taylor Swift, “Red”
Kacey Musgraves, “Same Trailer Different Park”
Little Big Town, “Tornado”
Single of the Year
Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw With Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”
Song of the Year — award goes to songwriter(s)
“I Drive Your Truck” – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary
“Mama’s Broken Heart” – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves
“Merry Go ‘Round” – Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally
“Pontoon” – Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean
“Wagon Wheel” – Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor
Musical Event of the Year
Blake Shelton Feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Florida Georgia Line Feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Kelly Clarkson Feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
Tim McGraw With Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Jason Aldean With Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”
Music Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
Blake Shelton Feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Lady Antebellum, “Downtown”
Tim McGraw, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart
Little Big Town, “Tornado”
Musician of the Year
Brent Mason
Dann Huff
Mac McAnally
Paul Franklin
Sam Bush
