Underwood, Miranda Lambert lead CMT nominations

[April 24, 2012]  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- With Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift atop the list, look no further than the CMT Music Awards nominations for proof country music's new favorite color is blonde.

Underwood earned five nominations, Lambert has four as a solo artist and as part of her trio Pistol Annies, and Swift led a contingent of stars earning three nominations apiece for the 11th annual video awards show. Nominations were announced Monday morning on the "Today" show.

Other artists with three nominations include Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Thompson Square and The Civil Wars.

Underwood's "Good Girl" and her "Remind Me" collaboration with Brad Paisley, Lambert's "Over You" and Swift's collaboration with The Civil Wars on "The Hunger Games" soundtrack entry "Safe & Sound" are among the 10 nominees for top honor video of the year. Underwood also is up for female video, CMT performance and collaborative video of the year.

Lambert is up for female video as a solo artist and for group video and breakthrough video for "Hell on Heels" with her friends Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe in Pistol Annies.

Other video of the year nominees include Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem," Kenny Chesney's "You and Tequila" with Grace Potter, Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup," Lady Antebellum's "We Owned the Night," Rascal Flatts' "Easy" with Natasha Bedingfield and Shelton's "God Gave Me You."

Fan voting for the awards begins Monday on the network's website and runs through June 4. The show will air live June 6 from Nasvhille.

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Online:

http://www.cmt.com/

[Associated Press; By CHRIS TALBOTT]

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