Okies top CMA Award nominations
BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Another round of Country Music Association Awards nominees were named on Wednesday, and included a bushel for Sooner State star Blake Shelton.
The “God Gave Me You” singer was nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for the tune. He’s also up for Song of the Year as writer for “Over You,” also co-written with wife Miranda Lambert. “God Gave Me You” songwriter Dave Barnes was also nominated in the Song of the Year category.
This could make the third consecutive win for Shelton in the Male Vocalist of the Year slot.“I never get tired of these ‘Oh-My-God-How-Did-This-Happen?!!’ moments,” Blake said in a media statement. “Thank you to country radio and everyone who casts a CMA vote. I am truly honored.”
He’s the only Oklahoman in the most prestigious category of Entertainer of the Year. Other nominees in that slot include Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley, the CMA Awards official website shows.
Perhaps surprisingly, longtime Okie-tied favorites Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts didn’t earn a single nod. McEntire has been nominated for or won a CMA Award most years since 1983. Similarly, Rascal Flatts has been nominated for or won at least one award every year since 2002.
In an unexpected twist, Snoop Lion (aka rapper Snoop Dogg) was nominated in the Musical Event of the Year slot with Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson for their work on Willie Nelson’s “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”
Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who is co-hosting for the fifth time this year with Paisley, was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, as was Lambert. This could be the third consecutive win for Lambert; Underwood took home the title from 2006-2008.
Also, Lambert is the only Oklahoma act nominated for 2012 Album of the Year, for her “Four the Record.” Her “Over You” video (directed by Trey Fanjoy) is also nominated for Video of the Year, as is Moore-raised Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” (directed by Michael Salomon).
Miami, Okla., duo Thompson Square was nominated for New Artist of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year for a second year.
“Country music’s biggest night,” the 46th annual awards show airs live 7 p.m. Nov. 1 on the ABC network.
Country duo Brooks & Dunn is the most-winning Oklahoma-tied act in CMA history with 19 awards. Norman-born Vince Gill is a close second with 18 wins. Owasso resident Garth Brooks has 11 CMA tropies (last one won is 1993). Other multiple winners include Rascal Flatts, featuring Picher native Joe Don Rooney, which has taken home seven awards.
McEntire’s earned six, Underwood five, Lambert four, Trisha Yearwood three, Keith two.
