Taylor Swift gets at least 2 CMA nominations, including entertainer of the year

Swift, Underwood, Rucker get at least 2 CMA nods

NEW YORK — Taylor Swift has snagged at least two Country Music Association nominations, including one for the show’s highest honor: entertainer of the year.

The 19-year-old sensation joined Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Darius Rucker as double nominees; Kenny Chesney and George Strait had three. The CMAs announced five categories on Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and will announce other nominees later in the morning on the CMT network in Nashville.

Swift, whose CD “Fearless” has sold more than three million copies and made her the top selling act in country and in pop, was the only female in the category. She competes against Chesney, Strait, Paisley, and Urban. She was also nominated for female vocalist of the year, along with Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Underwood.

Rucker — the former Hootie and the Blowfish singer whose transition to country music was embraced by fans — was nominated for male vocalist of the year, along with veterans like Strait, Paisley, Chesney and Urban.

“It feels great. It feels like I’m part of the family,” said Rucker, who along with Lee Ann Womack announced the nominations on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“I love being in country music because of the accessibility and the relationships you have with fans and with radio is awesome.”

Rucker was also nominated for new artist of the year along with Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen and the Zac Brown Band.

Womack was another nominee Wednesday morning: her song with George Strait, “Everything But Quits,” was nominated for vocal event of the year. Also nominated was “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” by the soon-to-be disbanded Brooks & Dunn and McEntire; “I Told You So,” by Underwood and Randy Travis; “Down the Road” by Chensey and Mac McAnally; and “Old Enough,” by the rock group Racounteurs, Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe.

The CMA Awards, now in its 43rd year, are scheduled for Nov. 11 on ABC., with Underwood and Paisley as hosts.

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On the Net:

www.cmaawards.com