Today's Country Tidbits

It's the week country fans descend on Nashville, and country artists, too. Last night at the Grand Ole Opry, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Trisha Yearwood and The Band Perry all performed. At Darius Rucker's inaugural guitar pull for St. Jude's, Jake Owen, Radney Foster and Jamey Johnson joined Darius for a show, and then Kid Rock surprised them all when he decided to join the fun for the encore song, "Family Tradition." At the Wildhorse, there was a celebrity-filled fashion show and concert, with Pam Tillis singing "Don't Tell Me What to Wear," and Luke Bryan doing a serious version of "Do I." Clay Walker was part of the Musicians On Call fashion show, and displayed (but didn't model) women's undergarments emblazoned with the name of his new cd, "She Won't Be Lonely Long." Bet that got a huge laugh! The fund-raising continues online for Musicians on Call, with some of country's biggest stars donating concert tickets & backstage passes or autographed guitars.

Tennesseean.com has a photo gallery from the City of Hope celebrity softball game, held Monday.

Even though it's been an action-packed week already, the CMA Music Festival officially kicks off today with the parade. Brenda Lee is the Grand Marshall, and Gloriana, Rodney Atkins, Chuck Wicks and many more artists will be part of it. At the end of the parade there's a free concert outside Bridgestone Arena, featuring Joe Nichols and Randy Houser.

Like a good yard sale? Head for Nashville's Bridgestone Arena this Saturday, as MusiCares and SOLID team up to throw a big one. Artist memorabilia is expected among all of the regular flea market finds, and all the proceeds benefit Nashville flood relief.

Tomorrow, Lady Antebellum's sold-out fan club party will be a flood relief benefit, too. Not only that, but Office Max will match donations up to $50,000. Can't be at the party but love Lady A? For a minimum donation of $5, you can watch the performance live online.

If you want to pretend you're at the CMA Music Festival, check out their social hub, where there are live video streams, photo boards, Twitter streams and much more.

The CMT awards haven't been handed out yet, but once they are, much of Nashville will head over to the Limelight for Dierks Bentley's album release party, expected to start at about 10:30 central time tonight and go until the wee hours of tomorrow morning.

Don't miss the CMT Music Awards red carpet show and award show tonight. Here's a complete list of nominees - come back tomorrow for a complete list of the winners.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director.　 Final 5 nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.
• Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
• Kenny Chesney – “Out Last Night”
• Toby Keith – “American Ride”
• Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
• Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
• Brad Paisley – “Welcome to the Future”
• Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
• Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
• Keith Urban – “‘Til Summer Comes Around”
• Zac Brown Band – “Toes”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist
• Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
• Billy Currington – “People Are Crazy”
• Toby Keith – “American Ride”
• Tim McGraw – “Southern Voice”
• Keith Urban – “‘Til Summer Comes Around”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist
• Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
• Reba McEntire – “Consider Me Gone”
• Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
• Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists
• Gloriana – “How Far Do You Wanna Go?”
• Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
• Rascal Flatts – “Here Comes Goodbye”
• Zac Brown Band – “Toes”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists
• Brooks & Dunn – “Indian Summer”
• Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Lovin’ You”
• Sugarland – “Keep You”
• Sugarland – “Nightswimming/Joey”

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist's major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)
• Luke Bryan – “Do I”
• Laura Bell Bundy – “Giddy On Up”
• Easton Corbin – “A Little More Country Than That”
• Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Lovin’ You”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)
• Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams – “Heaven” from CMT CROSSROADS: BRYAN ADAMS AND JASON ALDEAN
• Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews – “I’m Alive”
• Kellie Pickler featuring Taylor Swift – “Best Days of Your Life”
• Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins – “Hillbilly Bone”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
• Lady Antebellum – “Lookin’ For A Good Time” from the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
• Reba McEntire – “Consider Me Gone” from INVITATION ONLY: REBA
• Tim McGraw – “Southern Voice” from INVITATION ONLY: TIM McGRAW
• Brad Paisley – “Then” from the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
• Carrie Underwood – “Temporary Home” from INVITATION ONLY: CARRIE UNDERWOOD

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her body of work from the past year
• Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include: Jason Aldean’s “The Truth” and Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home”)
• Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” and Justin Moore’s “Small Town USA”)
• Shaun Silva (award eligible videos include: Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night” and Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights”)
• Roman White (award eligible videos include: Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and Kellie Pickler’s “Best Days of Your Life”)

THE NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ON YOUR SIDE AWARD

• Ryan Bingham
• Randy Houser
• Justin Moore
• Chris Young