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Some of music's leading performers will grab the spotlight Monday during the 40th annual Country Music Association's awards ceremony in Nashville. But before the trophies are handed out, the AJC music critics — Nick Marino, Sonia Murray, Shane Harrison — have selected their own lineup for who should take bows in the top six categories (complete nomination list listed at the bottom).

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Sara Evans
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Brad Paisley
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ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney: The dude's in his own league. — N.M.

Kenny Chesney: No one's drawn bigger crowds in this category, so apparently no one's been more entertaining. (Assuming Renee Zellweger won't be voting.) — S.M.

Kenny Chesney: This category was tailor-made for Chesney. He's not the most impressive vocalist in country or the most accomplished songwriter, but the man is a consummate entertainer. — S.H.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

"Time Well Wasted," Brad Paisley: He's funny, he's got an appealing voice and he rocks like a honkey-tonker. — N.M.

"Time Well Wasted," Brad Paisley: Truth in advertising. — S.M.

"Time Well Wasted," Brad Paisley: Paisley made one of the finest mainstream country albums of the last few years with this one, but boy, that Alan Jackson doing gospel sure sounds good, too. — S.H.

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

"Better Life," Keith Urban: The not-too-twangy melody sounds like the future of country. — N.M.

"When I Get Where I'm Going," Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton: Paisley's wonderfully accessible alone, but add Dolly, and this is doubly so. — S.M.

"When I Get Where I'm Going," Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton: This is the cream of this crop by a country mile. — S.H.

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Martina McBride: Her "Timeless" record was both gutsy and rootsy. — N.M.

Martina McBride: Her latest CD "Timeless" renders these peers, well, just less. — S.M.

Sara Evans: For pure vocal prowess, Evans is the best in this batch, but Gretchen Wilson gets points for power and sass. — S.H.

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney: Squashing the competition one mega-tour at a time. — N.M.

Dierks Bentley: Brad Paisley wouldn't be a bad choice either, but Bentley's "Long Trip Alone" is soooo good. — S.M.

Alan Jackson: Jackson can still sing circles around most of his peers, but Bentley is a close runner-up. — S.H.

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Sugarland: The last record was big. The new one could be even bigger. — N.M.

Sugarland: Not just because they're hometown talent — they're hometown talent worth cheering for. — S.M.

Sugarland: Here's where Sugarland should get the prize, but they probably won't. Unfortunately, Rascal Flatts might as well go ahead and clear some mantel space. — S.H.

2006 CMA NOMINEES

Entertainer of the Year

Brooks & Dunn

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Rascal Flatts

Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year

Sara Evans

Faith Hill

Martina McBride

Carrie Underwood

Gretchen Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley

Kenny Chesney

Alan Jackson

Brad Paisley

Keith Urban

Horizon Award

Miranda Lambert

Little Big Town

Sugarland

Josh Turner

Carrie Underwood

Vocal Group of the Year

Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

Little Big Town

Lonestar

Rascal Flatts

Sugarland

Vocal Duo of the Year

Big & Rich

Brooks & Dunn

Montgomery Gentry

Van Zant

The Wreckers

Single of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer)

"Believe" — Brooks & Dunn

"Better Life" — Keith Urban

"Jesus Take The Wheel" — Carrie Underwood

"Summertime" — Kenny Chesney

"When I Get Where I'm Going" — Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton):

Album of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer)

"Hillbilly Deluxe" — Brooks & Dunn

"Me And My Gang" — Rascal Flatts

"Precious Memories" — Alan Jackson

"The Road And The Radio" — Kenny Chesney

"Time Well Wasted" — Brad Paisley

Musical Event of the Year

Brooks & Dunn (guest vocals by Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill) — "Building Bridges"

Faith Hill featuring Tim McGraw — "Like We Never Loved At All"

Gretchen Wilson (featuring Merle Haggard) — "Politically Uncorrect"

Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton) — "When I Get Where I'm Going"

Bon Jovi (duet with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland) — "Who Says You Can't Go Home"

Song of the Year (Award goes to songwriter and primary publisher)

"8th of November" — Big Kenny/John Rich

"Believe" — Craig Wiseman/Ronnie Dunn

"Jesus Take The Wheel" — Hillary Lindsey/Brett James/Gordie Sampson

"Tonight I Wanna Cry" — Keith Urban/Monty Powell

"When I Get Where I'm Going" — Rivers Rutherford/George Teren

Music Video of the Year

"8th of November," Big & Rich (Directed by Robert Deaton/George J. Flanigen IV/Marc Oswald)

"Believe," Brooks & Dunn (Directed by Robert Deaton/George J. Flanigen IV)

"Jesus Take The Wheel," Carrie Underwood (Directed by Roman White)

"Kerosene," Miranda Lambert (Directed by Trey Fanjoy)

"When I Get Where I'm Going," Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton) (Directed by Jim Shea)

Musician of the Year

Eddie Bayers — Drums

Jerry Douglas — Dobro

Paul Franklin — Steel guitar

Dan Huff — Guitar

Brent Mason — Guitar/electric guitar

Randy Scruggs — Guitar