Diversity of country sound on view at CMT Awards

The Associated Press, Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 7:23am (PDT)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The many facets of country music in the 21st century will be on display during the CMT Music Awards.

Jason Aldean leads all nominees with four and is joined by a field of the usual suspects Wednesday night at the Bridgestone Arena. But other nominees this year include rock group Staind frontman Aaron Lewis, gothic folk duo The Civil Wars and a collaboration between second-year host Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.

The fan-voted awards often lean left of the dial with interesting mashups and irreverent moments. This year Taylor Swift and Shania Twain will open the show by recreating "Thelma & Louise" and there will be performances by Aldean, Crow, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and more.

Even NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" washout Gary Busey is on hand.

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Online:

http://www.cmt.com