The nominations for the 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards are in, and it was a great year -- especially for some of the more youthful stars in the genre. Though the Zac Brown Band, Taylor Swift, and Jason Aldean all represent different parts and demographics of the format, each came away with a large number of nominations for this years' awards.

Brown led all nominees with seven -- including two for his production duties on "Colder Weather" and "You Get What You Give," which were nominated for Single Record of the Year and Album of the Year, respectively. Brown also had a hand in writing the former, which was included in the Song of the Year category.

Full List of CMA Nominees!

Swift, a former Entertainer of the Year winner, is up for the top prize once again this year, and tallied six overall. She's in the running for Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for "Speak Now")  and Video of the Year for "Mean." She also garnered a nomination in the Song of the Year category for "Mean" and earned her final nomination for co-production efforts on "Speak Now."

Aldean, who has never won a CMA, finds himself a nominee in five categories this year -- Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album (for "My Kind Of Party"), and also with Kelly Clarkson in two categories  - Single of the Year and Video of the Year for "Don't You Wanna Stay."

Also ringing up five nominations are Blake Shelton -- last year's surprise winner in the Male Vocalist category, and perennial CMA favorite Brad Paisley. Two of Brad's five nods are for "Old Alabama," his collaboration with Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama -- a nominee in the Musical Event and Video fields.

There were some nominees that might have surprised a few. The Civil Wars -- a duo that has been warmly received by critics but ignored by radio -- are in the Vocal Duo category. Eric Church, Luke Bryan, and Chris Young all won nominations in the New Artist category, though each released their third album in 2011.

Also of note were some of the omissions. Even though his name was announced three times this morning, Kenny Chesney was not a finalist for Entertainer of the Year -- despite going back out on the road for his major arena tour in 2011. Despite a big year that saw continued hits at radio, and membership into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Reba McEntire was not on the list, and for the first time in recent memory, George Strait did not receive a nomination.

The CMA Awards will be telecast on Tuesday, November 9 from Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville. ABC will telecast the festivities from 8:00-11:00 eastern. Nominees Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host.

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