Final Nominees Announced for '2006 CMT Music Awards' With More Than 1.2 Million Votes Cast by Fans at CMT.com

Final Nominees Announced for '2006 CMT Music Awards' With More Than 1.2 Million Votes Cast by Fans at CMT.com

Faith Hill Leads With Most Nominations, But Still A Close Race As Votes Are Spread Evenly Among Country's Top Stars

The Fifth Annual CMT MUSIC AWARDS Premiere Live on Monday, April 10

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Country superstars and fiery newcomers make strong contenders in the race for top honors at the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, it was announced today at a press conference hosted by multi- platinum artist Trace Adkins and singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert. More than 1.2 million votes were cast at CMT.com to determine the finalists for the genre's only fan-voted awards show. The 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere live from The Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville on Monday, April 10 at 8 p.m., ET.*

Faith Hill leads with four nominations, three of which also include husband Tim McGraw for their video "Like We Never Loved At All," which is up for Video, Collaborative and Video Director of the Year. Hill's "Mississippi Girl" rounds out her total nominations for Female Video of the Year.

Also on top with three nominations each are McGraw, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney. Country newcomers make a strong debut in the 2006 nominations lineup as well, with first time nods for Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland and Little Big Town.

No CMT Awards show would be complete without a few surprises, and this year is no exception as Hollywood stars make the list for Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon's rendition of the Johnny Cash and June Carter duet "Jackson." In addition, Bon Jovi brings a little rock flair to the list for his duet "Who Says You Can't Go Home," which features Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles.

Fans can vote online at CMT.com through April 7 to determine the winners in each category. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced during the live awards telecast, and voting held online at CMT.com throughout the show to determine the night's big winner.

Below is a complete list of final nominees for the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS:

CMT MUSIC AWARDS BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video from an artist's major debut album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo).

- Carrie Underwood - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"
- Jason Aldean - "Hicktown"
- Miranda Lambert - "Kerosene"
- Sugarland - "Something More"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS HOTTEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Sexiest video, awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).

- Billy Currington - "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right"
- Dierks Bentley - "Come A Little Closer"
- Keith Urban - "Making Memories Of Us"
- Trace Adkins - "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MOST INSPIRING VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Video that celebrates the human condition in a positive and optimistic way; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).

- Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton - "When I Get Where I'm Going"
- Brooks & Dunn - "Believe"
- Carrie Underwood - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"
- Reba McEntire - "You're Gonna Be"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Video with the best direction (video that best captures the mood, tempo, and intensity of the song); awarded to the video director for work on a specific video and accepted by the director and the artist.

- Michael Salomon / Toby Keith - "As Good As I Once Was"
- Shaun Silva / Kenny Chesney - "Who You'd Be Today"
- Sophie Muller / Faith Hill with Tim McGraw - "Like We Never Loved At
All"
- Trey Fanjoy / Miranda Lambert - "Kerosene"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

The best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (male, female or group/duo).

- Bon Jovi feat. Jennifer Nettles -"Who Says You Can't Go Home"
- Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton - "When I Get Where I'm Going"
- Faith Hill with Tim McGraw - "Like We Never Loved At All"
- Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon -"Jackson"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS GROUP / DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group or duo; awarded to the artists.
- Brooks & Dunn - "Believe"
- Little Big Town - "Boondocks"
- Rascal Flatts - "Skin (Sarabeth)"
- Sugarland - "Just Might (Make Me Believe)"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.
- Carrie Underwood - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"
- Faith Hill - "Mississippi Girl"
- Miranda Lambert - "Kerosene"
- Sara Evans - "A Real Fine Place To Start"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.
- Keith Urban - "Better Life"
- Kenny Chesney - "Who You'd Be Today"
- Toby Keith - "As Good As I Once Was"
- Trace Adkins - "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"

CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Final four nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

- Brad Paisley - "Alcohol"
- Brooks & Dunn - "Believe"
- Faith Hill with Tim McGraw - "Like We Never Loved At All"
- Gretchen Wilson - "All Jacked Up"
- Keith Urban - "Better Life"
- Kenny Chesney - "Who You'd Be Today"
- Toby Keith - "As Good As I Once Was"
- Trace Adkins - "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"

CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 80.9 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at http://www.cmt.com/.

For more information and to request credentials to cover the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, visit http://www.cmtmusicawardspress.com/

EDITORS: The 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere LIVE on Monday, April 10 at 8:00 p.m., Eastern and 7:00 p.m., Central; and at 9:00 p.m., Mountain and 8:00 p.m., Pacific (tape delayed).

Source: CMT

CONTACT: Cindy McLean, +1-615-335-8404, or cindy.mclean@cmt.com, or
Amanda Murphy, +1-615-335-8408, or amanda.murphy@cmt.com, both of CMT

Web site: http://www.cmt.com/
http://www.cmtmusicawardspress.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information and to request credentials to cover the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, visit http://www.cmtmusicawardspress.com

-------
Profile: intent