The Country Music Association has released the list of finalists for this year's awards show.

There are some notable surprises when looking at this year's nominees for the 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

Here are the nominees, in the coming days we'll take a closer look at each category.

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 & Union Station

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

"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)

Musician of the Year

Eddie Bayers - Drums

Jerry Douglas - Dobro

Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar

Dann Huff - Guitar

Brent Mason - Guitar/Electric Guitar

Randy Scruggs - Guitar

Album of the Year

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

Music Video of the Year

"8th of November" - Big & Rich

"Believe" - Brooks & Dunn

"Jesus Take The Wheel" - Carrie Underwood

"Kerosene" - Miranda Lambert

"When I Get Where I'm Going" - Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)

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

"8th of November"

"Believe"

"Jesus Take The Wheel"

"Tonight I Wanna Cry"

"When I Get Where I'm Going"