BMI Artists Dominate Nominee List for 2008 CMA Awards
The Country Music Association announced nominees for the 2008 installment of the CMA Awards Wednesday, September 10, and BMI songwriters and artists overwhelmingly populate the anticipated list, sweeping the Female Vocalist of the Year nominations and dominating numerous categories.
Effervescent duo Sugarland underscored their critically acclaimed year, counting an inaugural nod in the prestigious Entertainer of the Year club among their five nominations. The pair also snagged a Single of the Year nod for the emotive "Stay," co-produced by Kristian Bush and Byron Gallimore, along with Vocal Duo, Video and Musical Event of the Year nominations.
Sugarland
Carrie Underwood
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert garnered more industry recognition, mirroring their increasing popularity, while Taylor Swift joined Female Vocalist of the Year ranks for the first time. Reigning Female Vocalist of the Year Underwood gained another nod in that category and added an Album of the Year nomination for her sophomore release, Carnival Ride. Lambert joins Underwood in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, and her fierce composition "Gunpowder and Lead" is up for Single of the Year.
Ace guitarist and crooner Keith Urban also earned two nominations, remaining in the elite Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year ranks. Perennial favorites Brooks & Dunn retained their dominance, garnering nods in Album and Vocal Duo of the Year categories. Trio Lady Antebellum also added more prestige to their glowing breakout year, earning Vocal Group and New Artist of the Year nominations. Little Big Town's success with critics and the industry remains potent, as the quartet scored Vocal Group and Musical Event nods. The ethereal Alison Krauss also earned two nods: a Female Vocalist of the Year nomination and Musical Event of the Year tap for her work with legend Robert Plant.
BMI songwriters Monty Criswell, Rodney Clawson and Wade Kirby earned a Song of the Year nomination for the poignant "I Saw God Today," while BMI troubadour Lee Thomas Miller also boasts a nod in the prestigious category for his composition "You're Gonna Miss This."
The 42nd Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov.12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC.
2008 BMI CMA Nominees
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Sugarland
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Keith Urban
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eagles
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
"Gunpowder & Lead"
Miranda Lambert
Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
Columbia Records
"I Saw God Today"
Co-produced by Tony Brown
MCA Nashville
"Stay"
Sugarland
Co-produced by Byron Gallimore and Kristian Bush
Mercury Nashville
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
Carnival Ride
Carrie Underwood
19 Recordings Limited/Arista/Arista Nashville
Cowboy Town
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville
Good Time
Produced by Keith Stegall
Arista Nashville
Troubadour
Co-produced by Tony Brown
MCA Nashville
SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)
"I Saw God Today"
Co-written by Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby
Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music
"You're Gonna Miss This"
Co-written by Lee Thomas Miller
EMI Blackwood Music/New Songs of Sea Gayle
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award to each Artist)
Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
"Another Try"
MCA Nashville
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
"Gone, Gone, Gone"
Rounder Records
Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
"Life In A Northern Town"
Mercury Nashville
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
"Good Time"
Alan Jackson
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
"Stay"
Sugarland
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas - Dobro
Brent Mason - Guitar
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