Country Musicians Anxiously Await The CMA Awards

If you have even a passing interest in country music, you know tonight is the CMA Awards, arguably the biggest night in the business. 

Hosted by Carrie Underwood and the prank-prone Brad Paisley for the third year in a row, the Awards will feature performances by Taylor Swift, whose third album, Speak Now, has shattered sales records, and Country Strong star Gwyneth Paltrow, who will perform live for the first time ever.

Paltrow, who will tackle the film’s title track, with Vince Gill singing backup, told The Boot she’s more than nervous. “I was really bad last week, all week,” Gwyneth tells The Boot. “I lost my appetite and I couldn’t sleep, but this week I feel much better. I feel prepared. I realize that I’m the most scared of the nerves. I feel prepared for the song, but if I can just keep the nerves under control, I’ll hopefully survive it.”

Paisley is expected to win the Entertainer Of The Year Award, if he can battle back Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum. Also up for Entertainer Of The Year is Miranda Lambert, nominated for a staggering nine awards, the most nominations a female artist has earned in the CMA’s 44-year history. Lambert spoke to The AP about the camaraderie she feels for her fellow nominees. “I just feel like this new crop, it’s not that we’re pushing out the older generation. It’s just that there’s so much great stuff right now there’s room for both finally.” Lambert, whose nominated for Best Song (“White Liar”) and Best Single (“The House That Built Me”) will celebrate her 27th birthday tonight.

Tune in to ABC tonight at 8 pm Eastern to see it all go down. LeAnn Rimes, whose personal struggles have landed her in the tabloids of late, will present the first award, in what will perhaps be an act of career rehabilitation. Lambert, in addition to performing on her own, will join Sheryl Crow in a musical tribute to Loretta Lynn. The pair perform “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on the excellent new Lynn tribute album. You’ll also see live performances from Kid Rock, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, George Strait and more.

Bonus Content: check out these exclusive stories featuring nominees Miranda Lambert, Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, and Blake Shelton and follow us on Twitter for our live coverage of the event! Also, don’t miss our upcoming Legends issue, featuring a rare interview with Loretta Lynn.

Who deserves to win tonight? Let us know in the comments.