The 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards will be held tonight in Nashville. There are 2 dozen artists set to perform on the awards show this evening, which will air on ABC at 7pm.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are returning to host the CMA Awards for their 4th time and the competition has never been tougher.

This years nominations in each category are extremely difficult to choose from. But below I've listed the nominees in each category and I will share my pick tonight's winners.

The 2011 CMA AWARD NOMINEES are:
++ next to a nomination, signifies Rodeo Rick's pick in each category.

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
Lady Antebellum ++
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo Of The Year
The Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland ++
Thompson Square

Album of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer)

‘All About Tonight’
Blake Shelton
Produced by Scott Hendricks

‘My Kinda Party’
Jason Aldean
Produced by Michael Knox

‘Speak Now’ ++
Taylor Swift
Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift

‘This Is Country Music’
Brad Paisley
Produced by Frank Rogers

‘You Get What You Give’
Zac Brown Band
Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown

Single of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer)

‘A Little Bit Stronger’
Sara Evans
Produced by Tony Brown

‘Colder Weather’
Zac Brown Band
Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown

‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
Produced by Michael Knox

‘Honey Bee’ ++
Blake Shelton
Produced by Scott Hendricks

‘If I Die Young’
The Band Perry
Produced by Paul Worley


Song of the Year

(Award goes to songwriters)

‘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

‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’
Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert

‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

‘Old Alabama’
Brad Paisley featuring Alabama

‘You and Tequila’
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter


Music Video

(Award goes to artist and director)

‘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

More From My Country 95.5