NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED TODAY FOR "THE 41ST ANNUAL CMA AWARDS," AIRING LIVE, NOVEMBER 7 ON ABC

Brad Paisley and George Strait Lead Nominees with Five Nominations Each

Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss and Martina McBride Receive Four Nominations

John Rich, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban Score Three Nominations Each

Nominees in select categories for "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" were announced today live on "Good Morning America" in their New York studio by singer Sara Evans and Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of the group, Sugarland. The 12 awards will be presented during "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" telecast on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), airing on the ABC Television Network. Country Music's biggest night will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Nominations for the CMA Awards are in 12 categories -- Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Musician of the Year, Music Video of the Year and the Horizon Award -- which is given to the artist with the most significant creative and career growth.

"Since our inaugural broadcast of the awards last year with the historic 40th anniversary, we've enjoyed a special and growing relationship with the Country Music Association as true partners to bring the very best of the Country's music to ABC," Vicki Dummer, senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "We're proud and honored to be the network that is home to the CMA Awards and we congratulate all of the outstanding nominees for their achievements."

"Country Music is thriving on the talent and creativity of an outstanding group of artists, and they are well represented with our nominees," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "These talented performers, musicians, songwriters, producers and directors demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity of our format. It is an exciting time for Country Music, and the 2007 CMA Awards will definitely reflect that in November."

The list of nominees, many of whom will attend the ceremonies either as presenters or as performers, follows:

Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait and Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year: Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year: Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Josh Turner and Keith Urban

Horizon Award: Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift

Vocal Group of the Year: Alison Krauss + Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas; Dixie Chicks, Emerson Drive, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo of the Year: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland and The Wreckers

Single of the Year (award goes to artist and producer): "Anyway" (Martina McBride), produced by Martina McBride, RCA Records; "Before He Cheats" (Carrie Underwood), produced by Mark Bright, 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records; "Lost in This Moment" (Big & Rich), produced by Big Kenny and John Rich, Warner Bros. Nashville; "Ticks" (Brad Paisley), produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois, Arista Nashville; "Wrapped"(George Strait), produced by Tony Brown and George Strait, MCA Nashville

Album of the Year (award goes to artist and producer): "5th Gear" (Brad Paisley), produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois, Arista Nashville; "It Just Comes Natural" (George Strait), produced by Tony Brown and George Strait, MCA Nashville; "Long Trip Alone" (Dierks Bentley), produced by Brett Beavers, Capitol Records Nashville; "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing" (Keith Urban), produced by Dann Huff and Keith Urban, Capitol Records Nashville; "These Days" (Vince Gill), produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs and Justin Niebank, MCA Nashville

Song of the Year (award goes to the songwriter and primary publisher): "Anyway" (Martina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren, publisher Delemmava Music/Bucky and Clyde Music); "Before He Cheats" (Josh Kear/Chris Tompkins, publisher That Little House Music/Mighty Under Dog Music/Sony/ATV Cross Keys); "Give It Away" (Bill Anderson/Buddy Cannon/Jamey Johnson, publisher Sony/ATV Tree/Mr. Bubba Music/Slow Run Music/EMI Blackwood); "Lost in This Moment" (John Rich/Keith Anderson/Rodney Clawson, publisher Rich Texan Music/Warner-Tamerlane/Writer's Extreme/EMI April Music/Romeo Cowboy); "Stupid Boy" (Dave Berg/Deanna Bryant/Sarah Buxton, publisher Song Planet/That Little House Music/Cal IV Songs/ BergBrain Music)

Musical Event of the Year: "Because of You" (Reba McEntire with Kelly Clarkson), "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" (Tracy Lawrence, featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney), "Hey Good Lookin'" (Live) (Jimmy Buffett with George Strait and Alan Jackson), "Missing You" (Alison Krauss and John Waite), "The Reason Why" (Vince Gill with Guest Vocalist Alison Krauss)

Music Video of the Year (award goes to artist and director): "Anyway" (Martina McBride), directed by Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV; "Before He Cheats" (Carrie Underwood), directed by Roman White; "Moments" (Emerson Drive), directed by Steven Goldmann; "Online" (Brad Paisley), directed by Jason Alexander; "You Save Me" (Kenny Chesney), directed by Shaun Silva

Musician of the Year: Eddie Bayers, Jr. (Drums), Jerry Douglas (Dobro), Dann Huff (Guitar), Mac McAnally (Guitar), Randy Scruggs (Guitar)

At the conclusion of the announcements, Brad Paisley and Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait lead the list of nominees with five nominations each. Paisley was nominated for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album for "5th Gear" (produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois), Single for "Ticks," and Music Video of the Year for "Online," which was directed by actor-turned-video director Jason Alexander.

Strait received nominations for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album for "It Just Comes Natural" (co-produced by Tony Brown), Musical Event, with Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson on the live version of "Hey Good Lookin,'" and Single of the Year for "Wrapped." Strait could win two additional trophies as producer for Single and Album of the Year. Other nominees benefiting from Strait's windfall are songwriters Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson, who were nominated for Song of the Year for "Give It Away." Strait now has 70 career CMA Awards nominations, trailing only Jackson, who has 75 with this year's nomination for Musical Event of the Year.

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 were broadcast for the first time, making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television.

Winners of "The 41st Annual CMA Awards" will be determined in the third and 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. "

The 41st Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the executive producer and Robert Deaton is the producer. Paul Miller is the director. The special will be shot in HD and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

This program is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.