Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland Brooks & Dunn, Josh Turner join CMA list performers

"The slate of nominees for the 2007 CMA Awards speaks to the strength, diversity and vitality of the format," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "And this year's Awards will reflect that in every performance."

The most lauded duo in CMA Awards history, Brooks & Dunn are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year again in 2007. They have won the category a record 14 times and have received 45 career nominations, which places them behind only Alan Jackson, George Strait and Vince Gill for most nominations in the history of the awards. Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks took three turns at the host podium (2004-2006), but opted not to be back for a repeat performance in 2007.

"It was never our intention to be the ongoing hosts of the CMA Awards," they said. "Each of the three years we hosted were special. We're just hoping to still be invited to the show."

Paisley tied with George Strait for the most CMA Awards nominations this year with five including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album for 5th Gear (produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois), Single for "Ticks," and Music Video of the Year for "Online," which was directed by actor-turned-video director Jason Alexander. This marks the fourth time since 2000 that Paisley has topped the list of artists with the most nominations. Paisley has received 38 career CMA Awards nominations, winning his first CMA with Horizon Award in 2000.

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush make their debut in the Vocal Duo of the Year category after receiving nominations for Vocal Group of the Year and the Horizon Award in 2005 and 2006. Nettles received a solo nomination in 2006 for her collaboration with Bon Jovi on "Who Says You Can't Go Home."

This is the first year that Turner's name is on the list of nominees for Male Vocalist of the Year. He was nominated for the Horizon Award in 2004 and 2006 and Song of the Year for "Long Black Train" in 2004.

After winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon Award in 2006, Underwood is back with 3 nominations for Female Vocalist, Single for "Before He Cheats," and Music Video of the Year for the same song directed by Roman White. Songwriters for "Before He Cheats," Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins were nominated for Song of the Year.

Tickets for the CMAs are on sale now through Ticketron or at the box office. Ticket prices begin at $164.