CMT AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Fans can vote now through June 4 to determine the winners online at CMT.com.

The 2012 CMT Music Awards marks the 11th anniversary of the show and will air live from Nashville on June 6 on CMT and CMT.com.

Video of the Year Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem” Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter — “You and Tequila” Toby Keith — “Red Solo Cup” Lady Antebellum — “We Owned the Night” Miranda Lambert — “Over You” Brad Paisley With Carrie Underwood — “Remind Me” Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield — “Easy” Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You” Taylor Swift Featuring the Civil Wars — “Safe & Sound” Carrie Underwood — “Good Girl”

Male Video of the Year Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem” Luke Bryan — “I Don’t Want This Night to End” Eric Church — “Drink in My Hand” Toby Keith — “Red Solo Cup” Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You” Keith Urban — “Long Hot Summer”

Female Video of the Year Sara Evans — “My Heart Can’t Tell You No” Miranda Lambert — “Over You” Martina McBride — “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” Kellie Pickler — “Tough” Taylor Swift — “Ours” Carrie Underwood — “Good Girl”

Group Video of the Year Eli Young Band — “Crazy Girl” Lady Antebellum — “We Owned the Night” Pistol Annies — “Hell on Heels” Rascal Flatts — “Banjo” The Band Perry — “All Your Life” Zac Brown Band — “Keep Me in Mind”

Duo Video of the Year Love and Theft — “Angel Eyes” Montgomery Gentry — “Where I Come From” Sugarland — “Tonight” The Civil Wars — “Poison and Wine” Thompson Square — “Glass” Thompson Square — “I Got You”

USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Lauren Alaina — “Georgia Peaches” Brantley Gilbert — “Country Must Be Country Wide” Hunter Hayes — “Storm Warning” Scotty McCreery — “The Trouble With Girls” Pistol Annies — “Hell on Heels” Thompson Square — “I Got You”

Collaborative Video of the Year Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo) Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter — “You and Tequila” Brad Paisley With Carrie Underwood — “Remind Me” Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield — “Easy” Lionel Richie With Shania Twain — “Endless Love” Taylor Swift Featuring the Civil Wars — “Safe & Sound” Zac Brown Band Featuring Jimmy Buffett — “Knee Deep”

CMT Performance of the Year Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT Jason Aldean — “Tattoos on This Town” from 2011 CMT Artists of the Year Lady Antebellum — “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” from 2011 CMT Artists of the Year Little Big Town — “Fix You” from Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert Blake Shelton — “Footloose” from Invitation Only: Blake Shelton Sting and Vince Gill — “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” from CMT Crossroads: Sting and Vince Gill Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood — “Just a Dream/Dream On” from CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam

45th Annual CMA Award Winners

Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean Brad Paisley Blake Shelton Taylor Swift Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year Sara Evans Miranda Lambert Martina McBride Carrie Underwood Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist of the Year Jason Aldean Kenny Chesney Brad Paisley Blake Shelton Keith Urban

New Artist of the Year The Band Perry Luke Bryan Eric Church Thompson Square Chris Young

Music Video of the Year “Honey Bee” Blake Shelton, Directed by Trey Fanjoy “If I Die Young” The Band Perry, Directed by David McClister “Mean” Taylor Swift, Directed by Declan Whitebloom “Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, Directed by Jim Shea “You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, Directed by Shaun Silva

Musical Event of the Year “As She’s Walking Away” Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson, Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert, Columbia Records Nashville “Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Broken Bow Records “Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, Arista Nashville “You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, BNA Records

Vocal Group of the Year The Band Perry Lady Antebellum Little Big Town Rascal Flatts Zac Brown Band

Album of the Year (Award to Artist and Producer(s)) All About Tonight, Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville My Kinda Party, Jason Aldean, Produced by Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records Speak Now, Taylor Swift, Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records This Is Country Music, Brad Paisley, Produced by Frank Rogers, Arista Nashville You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown, Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

Vocal Duo of the Year Civil Wars Montgomery Gentry Steel Magnolia Sugarland Thompson Square

Song of the Year “Colder Weather,” Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles “Dirt Road Anthem,” Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford “If I Die Young,” Kimberly Perry “Mean,” Taylor Swift “You and Tequila,” Matraca Berg and Deana Carter

Single of the Year (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s)) “A Little Bit Stronger” Sara Evans, Produced by Tony Brown, RCA Nashville “Colder Weather” Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown, Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records “Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Produced by Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records “Honey Bee” Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville “If I Die Young” The Band Perry, Produced by Paul Worley, Republic Nashville

Musician of the Year Sam Bush – Mandolin Jerry Douglas – Dobro Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar Dann Huff – Guitar Mac McAnally – Guitar

CMA First Round Nominations Announced

Congratulations to those nominated!  I see a lot of folks on there that I've had the opportunity to perform with or meet over the past couple years.  Hopefully... well, "hopefully."  We'll just leave it at that for now.  Here they are:

Topping the list of final nominees with five nominations each for “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” including Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift. Right on their heels are The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band, who each received four nominations as a group while individual members Kimberly Perry (of The Band Perry), Coy Bowles and Zac Brown (of Zac Brown Band) each earned a solo nod as a songwriter.

Aldean received first-time nominations in five categories in 2011 including Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for My Kinda Party, produced by Michael Knox; and Single and Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson, also produced by Knox. Aldean has two prior nominations including the Horizon Award in 2007 and in 2008 when the category changed names to CMA New Artist of the Year.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards Live on ABC November 9, 2011 8|7c

Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean Brad Paisley Blake Shelton Taylor Swift Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year Jason Aldean Kenny Chesney Brad Paisley Blake Shelton Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year Sara Evans Miranda Lambert Martina McBride Carrie Underwood Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year The Band Perry Luke Bryan Eric Church Thompson Square Chris Young

Vocal Group of the Year The Band Perry Lady Antebellum Little Big Town Rascal Flatts Zac Brown Band

Album of the Year Blake Shelton, All About Tonight Jason Aldean, My Kinda Party Taylor Swift, Speak Now Brad Paisley, This is Country Music Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give

Single of the Year Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger” Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather” Jason Aldean ft. Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” Blake Shelton, “Honey Bee” The Band Perry, “If I Die Young”

Song of the Year “Colder Weather,” Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles “Dirt Road Anthem,” Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford “If I Die Young,” Kimberly Perry “Mean,” Taylor Swift “You and Tequila,” Matraca Berg and Deana Carter

Musical Event of the Year “As She’s Walking Away” Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

“Coal Miner’s Daughter” Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert Columbia Records Nashville

“Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson Broken Bow Records

“Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama Arista Nashville

“You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter BNA Records

Vocal Duo of the Year Civil Wars Montgomery Gentry Steel Magnolia Sugarland Thompson Square

Music Video of the Year “Honey Bee” Blake Shelton Directed by Trey Fanjoy

“If I Die Young” The Band Perry Directed by David McClister

“Mean” Taylor Swift Directed by Declan Whitebloom

“Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama Directed by Jim Shea

“You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter Directed by Shaun Silva

Musician of the Year Sam Bush Jerry Douglas Paul Franklin Dann Huff Mac McAnally

Kenny Chesney back in Washington

Chance McKinney and CrossWire have been goin', goin', goin' and this week is no exception.  Coming off a week of shows in Oregon, the CMCW boys head back to Washington for a run at some good weather and great shows.  Yes, we're fully aware that Kenny Chesney will be in town on Friday Night at the Tacoma Dome and yes, we know we have a show scheduled for that night as well.  Hmmm, Kenny Chesney or Chance McKinney n' CrossWire... Kenny Chesney or Chance McKinney n' CrossWire?  As you ponder which you'd choose why not make it easy and just do both?! Thursday Night (7/21):  Let us get you geared up just a little Northeast of the Tacoma Dome in Kent, WA at the "Thursdays at the Lake" Concert Series in Meridian Park.

July 21 - Chance McKinney & Crosswire CMT Award Winner, Chance McKinney was recently dubbed CMT’s #1 “unsigned” Country Artist in the Nation. He has opened for acts such as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, and Brooks n’ Dunn. This up and coming band’s “Industrialized Country” is a blend of country, rock, metal and soul. Thursdays at the Lake, 7:00 - 8:30pm, Lake Meridian Park, 14800 SE 272nd Street artist's website           video

http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/content.aspx?id=2972

Friday Night (7/22):  Kenny Chesney Night!  However, in case you don't have tickets OR Tacoma is just too far to drive we'll be at the beautiful Tulalip Casino Resort with south Puget Sound's own Robbie Walden opening at 8pm.  We'll be your Kenny Chesney Alternate... or, possibly your Kenny Chesney Chaser!  Come on by the Casino on your way back from the Kenny Chesney concert and let us finish off the night for you.  If you look at it that way, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker are opening up the night and Chance McKinney n' CrossWire are closin' it out!

The biggest benefit to the CMCW show at the Tulalip... is that the Tulalip is pickin' up the bill.  No cover charge.  This claim cannot also be made about the Kenny Chesney concert.  Last we saw, tickets we're goin' for $375 each in the front floor section on stubhub.  So, if you're lookin' for a good "after party" for Kenny or you're runnin' low on scratch... we've got you covered.

http://www.tulalipcasino.com/events.aspx

Saturday Night (7/23):  IF, somehow, you haven't manage your "country fix" after Thursday AND Friday then the HARD ROCK CAFE in downtown Seattle, WA welcomes Chance McKinney n' CrossWire back to the stage.  It ain't easy breakin' country into new venues... especially when the title of the place is "hard rock", but we're doin' our best.  Bring a group downtown and leave a little redneck mark on Seattle's premier "live" music venue!  The better the boys do, the more likely the HRC will have 'em back to the most centralized meeting spot for all the Puget Sound country fans.

Hard Rock Cafe Seattle

Chance McKinney 'n CrossWire

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 10:00 PM PDT (9:00 PM Doors) Hard Rock Cafe - Seattle, Seattle, WA 21 years and over

Venue Directions

Congratulations to the 2011 CMT Award Nominees

The final nominees in each of the 2011 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories include: VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

• Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
• Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
• Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
• Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
• Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
• Taylor Swift– “Mine”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”
• Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

• Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
• Toby Keith– “Bullets In The Gun”
• Blake Shelton– “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
• Keith Urban– “Without You”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

• Sara Evans– “A Little Bit Stronger”
• Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
• Reba – “Turn On The Radio”
• Taylor Swift– “Mine”
• Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

• Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
• Little Big Town– “Little White Church”
• Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

• Steel Magnolia– “Last Night Again”
• Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
• The Civil Wars– “Barton Hollow”
• The JaneDear Girls– “Wildflower”
• Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

USAWEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)

• Lee Brice– “Love Like Crazy”
• Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy”
• Jerrod Niemann– “Lover, Lover”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

• Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson– “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
• Justin Bieberfeat. Rascal Flatts – “That Should Be Me”
• Kid Rock feat. Sheryl Crow– “Collide”
• Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels– “Country Boy”
• Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow– “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Martina McBride and Train– “A Broken Wing” from CMT CROSSROADS: TRAIN AND MARTINA MCBRIDE
• Reba– “If I Were A Boy” from UNPLUGGED: REBA
• Darius Rucker and Adele– “Need You Now” from 2010 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
• Keith Urban and John Mayer– “Sweet Thing” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOHN MAYER AND KEITH URBAN
• Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett– “Margaritaville” from CMT CROSSROADS: JIMMY BUFFETT AND ZAC BROWN BAND

BEST WEB VIDEO OF THE YEAR (New for 2011) Best video created primarily for internet streaming; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Jason Aldean–“My Kinda Party” (Live From The CMT Webcast)
• Luke Bryan–“It’s A Shore Thing”
• Lady Antebellum–“Stars Tonight”
• Blake Shelton–“Kiss My Country Ass”
• Taylor Swift–“Mine” (Live from the Speak Now Album Release Party)

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her body of work from the past year

• Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include: Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s “Collide” and the JaneDear Girl’s “Wildflower”)
• Trey Fanjoy (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”)
• Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” and Keith Urban’s “Without You”)
• David McClister (award eligible videos include: The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” and LeAnn Rimes’ “Swingin’”)
• Roman White (award eligible videos include: Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” and Kellie Pickler’s “Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again”)