Aldean, Paisley up for CMA Awards

NASHVILLE, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift each earned five nods when nominations for Nashville's 45th annual CMA Awards were announced.

The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band each were nominated for four awards as a group. The Band Perry's Kimberly Perry, and Coy Bowles and Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band also earned individual nods for songwriting.

In the running for Entertainer of the Year are Aldean, Paisley, Shelton, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.

The contenders for Album of the Year are Shelton's "All About Tonight," Aldean's "My Kinda Party," Swift's "Speak Now," Paisley's "This is Country Music" and Zac Brown Band's "You Get What You Give."

The prizes are to be handed out Nov. 9 in a ceremony to be presided over by Paisley and Carrie Underwood. The show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville will be broadcast on the ABC Television Network.

"'Country Music's Biggest Night' is shaping up to be a tight race with an outstanding group of new and established nominees topping the list," Steve Moore, the Country Music Association's chief executive officer, said in a statement Tuesday. "With no clear front-runner there will be a heightened level of excitement and anticipation for the CMA Awards in November."