Reba McEntire (Tulsa World file photo)
Voting began yesterday for the
2009 CMT Music Awards, country music's only fan-voted award show, with the announcement of this year's first round finalists.
The awards show airs live on June 17 on CMT.
Country duo, Sugarland, lead the pack in first round nominations with six followed by Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift who have each garnered four.
Fans can vote on CMT.com right now for their favorite artists to determine the final nominees for CMT's eighth annual awards show.
How it works: The first round of voting for the 2009 CMT Music Awards runs April 13 to May 11, only at CMT.com, where fans will select from the top nominees in each category. On May 19, CMT will announce the four finalists in each of the categories, except Video of the Year. Fans can then vote online at CMT.com through June 15 to determine the winners of the 2009 CMT Music Awards. (The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the live show and fans will vote at CMT.com and via text message throughout the live broadcast -- ET/CT only -- to determine the night's big winner.)
For full list of all nominees, visit 
CMT.com.
Here are the nominees with Oklahoma ties:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Final nominees are announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.
Toby Keith - "God Love Her" (Director: Michael Salomon)
Rascal Flatts - "Every Day" (Director: Deaton Flanigen)
Carrie Underwood - "Just A Dream" (Director: Roman White)
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.
Toby Keith - "God Love Her"
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.
Carrie Underwood - "Just A Dream"
Miranda Lambert - "More Like Her"
GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists.
Rascal Flatts - "Bob That Head"
Rascal Flatts - "Every Day"
DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists.
Brooks & Dunn - "Put A Girl In It"
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists;
awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo).
Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire - "Cowgirls Don't Cry"
Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood - "Another Try"
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR (*new category for 2009)
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on
CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo).
Toby Keith - "She's A Hottie" from the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn - "Raise The Barn" from the 2008
CMT MUSIC AWARDS
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her
body of work from the past year.
Roman White (award eligible videos include: Carrie Underwood's
"Just a Dream" and Reba McEntire's "Every Other Weekend")
For full list of all nominees, visit CMT.com.
