The 41st Annual Country Music Association Awards will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

And who are the big nominees? George Strait, who had his 55th No. 1 single this year and was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, is nominated for both entertainer and male vocalist of the year.

Strait and Brad Paisley lead with five nominations each. Strait was also nominated for musical event of the year, for a performance with Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson; album of the year for "It Just Comes Natural"; and single of the year for "Wrapped," his 55th career No. 1 single.

Paisley's nominations included entertainer of the year and male vocalist. He also received nominations for his album "5th Gear," best single for "Ticks" and best music video with "Online."

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban rounded out the entertainer of the year category. CMA industry members have nominated only male entertainers of the year since the Dixie Chicks got a nomination in 2001.

The Chicks, who have had a troubled relationship with the country music industry since Natalie Maines' derogatory comments about President Bush in 2003, got their first nomination since then for best vocal group.

Chesney has four nominations including male vocalist, music video for "You Save Me" and musical event of the year with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw.

"I've known Tracy and Tim practically since I got to Nashville," Chesney said in a statement. "Those old boys struggled with me, took off before me and never forgot who their friends were."

Josh Turner joined Chesney, Paisley, Strait and Urban as nominees for male vocalist of the year.

Alison Krauss was nominated for female vocalist of the year, along with Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood.