JAMEY JOHNSON MENTION - The Birmingam News

CMA nods to Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Mac McAnally

Posted by Mary Colurso
September 09, 2009

Just call them the usual suspects. Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Mac McAnally, all of whom have Alabama ties, have been nominated for 2009 Country Music Association awards.

We've seen their names several times before, in nomination and award lists from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Television and the Grammys. Johnson, in particular, has gained widespread acclaim for his 2008 disc, "That Lonesome Song," and its breakthrough single, "In Color."

Here are their CMA nods and details on their links to our state:

Johnson: new artist of the year, single of the year for "In Color," album of the year for "That Lonesome Song," song of the year for "In Color" (with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto. He was born in Enterprise and raised in Montgomery.

Little Big Town: vocal group of the year. Jimi Westbrook, a key player in the harmonizing group, is from Sumiton. Two other band members, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, met while attending Birmingham's Samford University.

McAnally: musician of the year, musical event of the year for a duet with Kenny Chesney on "Down the Road." McAnally, born in Red Bay, has a home and studio in Sheffield.

The CMA Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, during a ceremony broadcast live on ABC.