Don’t Forget About The CMAs Tonight

Tonight at 7:00 pm (MST) comes the moment we've all been waiting for since the last awards show...The Country Music Association Awards!

Yes pards, the season has begun.  This will soon be followed by the fan-voted American Country Awards in December.  Merry Christmas!  But, first things first.

So, what do I know about the awards so far?  Not much...and that's good.  I want to be surprised just like everyone else.  For the 10th straight year, my invitations to this prestigious event have gotten lost in the mail.  That's why I've got a recording set up for tonight.  After I get done with my radio stint, I'll rush home to watch.  Thankfully, I'll be able to fast forward through all commercials and promos and just enjoy the meat of the show.  So, I should only be up until 2 am cramming.  Oh, the sacrifices I make for this job.  (The Honey just loves award show nights!)

I do know this:

• Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will share hosting duties for the fourth straight year
• It airs live tonight on ABC from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena
• Brad, along with Keith Urban and Vince Gill are going to present an awesome tribute to the legendary Glen Campbell (who not to long ago announced he was battling Alzheimer's Disease)
• Rascal Flatts will be joined by Natasha Bedingfield to perform "Easy"
• Kenny Chesney will be joined by Grace Potter to perform "You And Tequila"
• Cowboy Troy will be drooling over Miranda Lambert
• Blake Shelton will get some kind of funny quip in
• Blake is rumored to be singing "Footloose" with none other than the one and only Kenny Loggins
• The Zac Brown Band will receive a bunch of trophies
• All of the Entertainer of the Year nominees will be performing
• It's the 45th time they've done this

Other than that, everything's up in the air.  However, I'm sure we can expect superb musical performances, dazzling gowns, tuxes, and other attire, a few cowboy hats, and several more surprises.

Once again, the list of this year's nominees:

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
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

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

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

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

Single of the Year
"A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans
"Colder Weather" by Zac Brown Band
"Don't You Wanna Stay" by Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
"Honey Bee" by Blake Shelton
"If I Die Young" by The Band Perry

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

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

Musical Event of the Year
"As She's Walking Away," Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
"Coal Miner's Daughter," Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert
"Don't You Wann Stay," Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
"Old Alabama," Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
"You and Tequila," Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Music Video of the Year
"Honey Bee," Blake Shelton
"If I Die Young," The Band Perry
"Mean," Taylor Swift
"Old Alabama," Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
"You and Tequila," Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Musician of the Year
Sam Bush, mandolin
Jerry Douglas, dobro
Paul Franklin, steel guitar
Dann Huff, guitar
Mac McAnally, guitar