Paisley, Sugarland up for 4 CMT prizes

NASHVILLE, March 6 (UPI) -- More than 2 million fan votes were cast to determine who will compete for Nashville's 2008 CMT Music Awards next month, CMT said Thursday.

Brad Paisley and Sugarland led the field with four nominations apiece, while Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Trace Adkins all earned three nominations each.

The 2008 CMT Music Awards is the genre's only fan-voted awards show. It is set to air live on CMT and CMT.com from Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University April 14. Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus are presiding over the show.

"Voting for the 2008 CMT Music Awards is at an all-time high, making the awards more competitive than ever," Brian Philips, executive vice president and general manager of CMT, said in a statement. "With superstar performances like those from our top nominees Brad Paisley and Sugarland and exciting new categories, this year's show promises to be a night full of surprises."

Fans can now vote online at CMT.com through April 11 to determine the night's winners.