Alan Jackson garners seven CMA nominations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Alan Jackson pulled in seven nominations, the most of the year, from the Country Music Association Monday, including entertainer of the year and male vocalist.

Jackson's nominations also include single of the year and song of the year for "Remember When," video of the year for "Remember When" and for his duet with Jimmy Buffett, "It's Five O'clock Somewhere," and musical event of the year for collaborating on a remake of the Hank Williams tune "Hey, Good Lookin."

Toby Keith has six nominations including album of the year for "Shock'N Y'all," single and video of the year for "I Love This Bar," musical event for "Hey, Good Lookin," male vocalist of the year and entertainer of the year.

The other best album nominees are Brad Paisley for "Mud on the Tires," Brooks & Dunn for "Red Dirt Road," Kenny Chesney for "When the Sun Goes Down" and newcomer Gretchen Wilson for "Here for the Party."

Wilson's first single, the No. 1 hit "Redneck Woman," was nominated for three awards, single, song and music video of the year. She also was nominated for the Horizon award, which honors the top new act.

"I think it's incredible considering no one knew who I was last year at this time," Wilson said. "This has been my dream since I was a little girl."

Other artists with five nominations included Chesney and Alison Krauss.

"Country music is making waves in 2004 and this list of outstanding nominees is one of the reasons why," CMA Executive Director Ed Benson said in a statement. "These talented performers, musicians, songwriters and producers demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity driving the burgeoning growth of our format in the past year. It is an exciting time for country music and the 2004 CMA awards will definitely reflect that in November."

Krauss was nominated for female vocalist of the year. Other nominees include Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Martina McBride and Reba McEntire.

CBS will broadcast the 38th annual CMA awards show, hosted by Brooks & Dunn, live from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House on Nov. 9.

Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, who helped announce some of the nominations on CBS' "The Early Show," was selected for induction into the Country Hall of Fame.

"What a dirty trick," he said, obviously surprised to hear his name read.

"I guess it means I'm old," he said of the nomination that will put his name in the hall with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Kristofferson has written hits such as "Help Me Make it Through the Night," "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Sunday Morning Coming Down," and his work has been recorded by more than 450 artists.

Former industry executive Jim Foglesong, who was president of the Nashville divisions of MCA and Capitol Records, also will be inducted into the Country Hall of Fame. Foglesong, 82, teaches music business at Vanderbilt University.

The rest of the nominations were announced on the CMT cable network.

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On the Net:

http://www.cmaworld.com/

AND THE NOMINEES ARE...

Nominees for the 2004 Country Music Association Awards include:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw.

MALE VOCALIST

Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, George Strait, Keith Urban.

HORIZON AWARD

Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Julie Roberts, Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson.

VOCAL GROUP

Alabama, Diamond Rio, Lonestar, Rascal Flatts, Trick Pony.

VOCAL DUO

Big & Rich, Blue County, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, The Warren Brothers.

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

"I Love This Bar," Toby Keith, produced by Toby Keith/James Stroud; "Live Like You Were Dying," Tim McGraw, produced by Byron Gallimore/Tim McGraw/Darran Smith; "Redneck Woman," Gretchen Wilson, produced by Mark Wright/Joe Scaife; "Remember When," Alan Jackson, produced by Keith Stegall; "Whiskey Lullaby," Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss, produced by Frank Rogers.

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Matt Chamberlain, drums; Kenny Greenberg, electric guitar; Dann Huff, guitar; Larry Paxton, bass guitar; Brent Rowan, guitar.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

"I Love This Bar," Toby Keith, directed by Michael Salomon; "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, directed by Trey Fanjoy; "Redneck Woman," Gretchen Wilson, directed by David Hogan; "Remember When," Alan Jackson, directed by Trey Fanjoy; "Whiskey Lullaby," Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, directed by Rick Schroder.

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Norah Jones with Dolly Parton, "Creepin' In"; Jimmy Buffett with Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith & George Strait, "Hey Good Lookin"'; James Taylor and Alison Krauss, "How's the World Treating You"; Kenny Chesney (duet with Uncle Kracker), "When the Sun Goes Down"; Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss, "Whiskey Lullaby".

SONG OF THE YEAR

"Live Like You Were Dying," Tim Nichols/Craig Wiseman; "Long Black Train," Josh Turner; "Redneck Woman," Gretchen Wilson/John Rich; "Remember When," Alan Jackson; "Whiskey Lullaby," Bill Anderson/Jon Randall.