There are some notable surprises when looking at this year's nominees for the 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
Here are the nominees, in the coming days we'll take a closer look at each category.
Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Faith Hill
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood
Gretchen Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban
Horizon Award
Miranda Lambert
Little Big Town
Sugarland
Josh Turner
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Van Zant
The Wreckers
Single of the Year
"Believe" - Brooks & Dunn
"Better Life" - Keith Urban
"Jesus Take The Wheel" - Carrie Underwood
"Summertime" - Kenny Chesney
"When I Get Where I'm Going" - Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)
Musician of the Year
Eddie Bayers - Drums
Jerry Douglas - Dobro
Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
Dann Huff - Guitar
Brent Mason - Guitar/Electric Guitar
Randy Scruggs - Guitar
Album of the Year
Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks & Dunn
Me And My Gang - Rascal Flatts
Precious Memories - Alan Jackson
The Road And The Radio - Kenny Chesney
Time Well Wasted - Brad Paisley
Music Video of the Year
"8th of November" - Big & Rich
"Believe" - Brooks & Dunn
"Jesus Take The Wheel" - Carrie Underwood
"Kerosene" - Miranda Lambert
"When I Get Where I'm Going" - Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)
Musical Event of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
(Guest vocals by Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill)
"Building Bridges"
Faith Hill Featuring Tim McGraw
"Like We Never Loved At All"
Gretchen Wilson
(Featuring Merle Haggard)
"Politically Uncorrect"
Brad Paisley
(Featuring Dolly Parton)
"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Bon Jovi
(Duet with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland)
"Who Says You Can't Go Home"
Song of the Year
"8th of November"
"Believe"
"Jesus Take The Wheel"
"Tonight I Wanna Cry"
"When I Get Where I'm Going"
