CMA 2015 nominations: Eric Church and other first-timers in the lead
Eric Church and other first-timers were in the lead during the Country Music Association (CMA) nominations.
Unlike in previous years, the recent CMA nomination night was dominated by more first-timers than ever. Eric Church and Little Big Town each had five nominations, according to WTSP 10 News.
Steven Tyler and Kelsea Ballerini announced the nominees on Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America," CMT reports.
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Under the New Artist category, Kelsea Bellerini, Sam Hunt, Christ Stapleton, and Maddie & Tae were nominated. The four were also nominated in other categories. Ballerini got voted for Female Vocalist, Hunt's "Take Your Time" was nominated for Single and Song of the Year, Maddie & Tae got Top Vocal Duo, and Stapleton's "Traveller" took home a nomination for Album of the Year, the report details.
This is the first time that four acts were voted for the New Artist category and were nominated in other categories at the same time, said CMA.
Church got nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. His "Like a Wrecking Ball" got nominated for Song of the Year, "Talladega" for Single of the Year, and his duet "Raise 'Em Up" with Keith Urban got the nod for Musical Event of the Year.
Meanwhile, Little Big Town was nominated for the Vocal Group award for the 10th time. The Group's "Girl Crush" took home nominations for single and music video categories, and the writers Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey, and Lori McKenna were voted for Song of the Year. "Pain Killer" also got pushed for Album of the Year, while his "Smokin' and Drinkin'" with Miranda Lambert got Musical Event of the Year. For three consecutive years, Little Big Town has received the Vocal Group award of CMA, the report details.
Other leaders in the CMA nominations include Lambert and Kenny Chesney, who each got four nominations. Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves, Hunt, and Stapleton got three nominations each.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the 2015 CMA Awards, which will be held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The awards night will be aired on Nov. 4 on ABC.
