Paisley leads finalists in CMA nods

NASHVILLE, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Brad Paisley led the list of finalists with six nods when the last round of nominations for The 43rd annual CMA Awards in Nashville were announced Wednesday.

For the fourth year, the announcement of the final nominees in five of the 12 CMA Awards categories was made on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Darius Rucker and Lee Ann Womack delivered the news from the "GMA" studios in New York. The remaining categories were announced by Randy Houser on "Insider Special Edition: 2009 CMA Awards Nominations" live from CMT's network studios in Nashville and presided over by CMT personalities Cody Alan and Alecia Davis.

The awards presentation is to be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Nov.11 on ABC.

Reigning CMA Male and Female Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are to return for a second year as hosts.

"It is great for the format and speaks to the strength of our music and talent of our artists that there are so many new faces on the list of nominees this year," Tammy Genovese, CMA chief executive officer, said in a statement. "With more than a quarter of the nominees making their debut in 2009, representing a variety of major and independent labels, there will be a heightened level of excitement and anticipation for the CMA Awards in November."

Paisley was nominated this year for Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for "American Saturday Night," which was produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois; Single and Song for "Then" (DuBois and Ashley Gorley are also nominated as songwriters); and Music Video for "Start a Band" with Keith Urban, which was directed by Jim Shea.

Urban, along with Jamey Johnson, George Strait, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown, frontman of the Zac Brown Band, each received four nominations Wednesday. Rucker received two nominations.