Alan Jackson and Vince Gill led the nominations announced Wednesday for the annual country music awards by The Nashville Network and Music City News.
Jackson led with seven nominations while Gill had six. Both performers are on a roll, setting chart and concert records.Nominations for the prized Entertainer of the Year Award went to the two as well as Billy Ray Cyrus, Reba McIntire and George Strait. McIntire was also nominated for female artist of the year along with Terri Clark, Faith Hill, Patty Loveless and Lorrie Morgan.
Male artist of the year nominations went to Bryan White in in addition to Jackson, Gill, Strait and Cyrus.
The "Star of Tomorrow" nominations were captured by Trace Adkins, Paul Brandt, Ty England, Wade Hayes and Ty Herndon among the men and by Deana Carter, Mindy McCready, Jo Dee Messina, MC Potts and LeAnn Rimes among the women.
For best vocal duo the nominations went to the Bellamy Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, Daryl & Don Ellis, Regina Regina and Sweethearts of the Rodeo.
Nominations for best album went to White's "Between Now and Forever," Strait's "Blue Clear Sky," Jackson's ""Everything I Love," Gill's "High Lonesome Sound" and Cyrus's "Trail of Tears."
Picked for best vocal band were Alabama, Blackhawk, Diamond Rio, Sawyer Brown and The Mavericks.