Kenny Chesney looks at 7 CMA nods

Can Kenny Chesney make it four? The Luttrell native is vying for his fourth Entertainer of the Year trophy at the “Country Music Association Awards” (airing live at 8 tonight, WATE, Channel 6). He has previously won in 2004, 2006 and 2007. He’s the mostnominated artist of the night.

Chesney is facing Brad Paisley, George Strait, Sugarland and Keith Urban for Entertainer of the Year.

The Entertainer award is the night’s highest honor, akin to the Best Picture category at the Academy Awards. It’s the award everybody in the running wants to get.

Why is it so important? On many levels, it’s a matter of pride. It can mean bragging rights. On another, it can also be used as a powerful marketing tool when an artist hits the road.

Sponsors are certainly more likely to want to throw money at a tour that includes an act that has won Entertainer of the Year. It validates the act.

At the Academy of Country Music Awards, Chesney has won its Entertainer of the Year four consecutive years, garnering his fourth one earlier this year.

Winning the award is certainly an incredible gold star for Chesney, one of the most popular touring acts in country music. His shows regularly sell out. His 2007 Flip-Flop Summer Tour was the highest-grossing country show of 2007.

The Entertainer of the Year award isn’t the only trophy that Chesney is after tonight. He’s also up for Music Video of the Year (“Don’t Blink”); Musical Event of the Year (“Every Other Weekend,” with Reba McEntire); Musical Event of the Year (“Shiftwork”); Single of the Year (“Don’t Blink”); Album of the Year (“Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates”) and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Along with trophy-getting, Chesney also is scheduled to perform.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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