Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Miranda Lambert are the leading nominees for this year’s CMT Music Awards, which will air Wednesday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT and CMT.com. Kristen Bell will return as a second-time co-host, joined by first-time co-host Jason Aldean.

Church, Bryan and Lambert each nabbed four nominations at this year’s awards. Bryan is up for Video of the Year (“Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”), Male Video of the Year (“Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”), Collaborative Video of the Year (Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church – “The Only Way I Know,” from 2012 CMA Awards) and CMT Performance of the Year (“Drunk On You/Feel Again” with Ryan Tedder from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR).

Church is up for Video of the Year (“Springsteen”), Male Video of the Year (“Creepin'”), Collaborative Video of the Year (Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church – “The Only Way I Know,” from 2012 CMA Awards) and CMT Performance of the Year (“Homeboy” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR).

Lambert is nominated for Video of the Year (“Mama’s Broken Heart”), Female Video of the Year (“Mama’s Broken Heart”), CMT Performance of the Year (“Over You” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR) and Group Video of the Year (as part of Pistol Annies – “Takin’ Pills”).

Artist with three nominations include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and first-time nominees Florida Georgia Line; artist with two nominations include: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Hunter Hayes, Jana Kramer, rock band Journey, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw.

Nominations list for CMT Music Awards:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

• Brad Paisley – “Southern Comfort Zone”
• Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
• Eric Church – “Springsteen”
• Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
• Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
• Jason Aldean – “1994”
• Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”
• Little Big Town – “Tornado”
• Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”
• Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”
• Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
• Tim McGraw – “One of Those Nights”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

• Blake Shelton – “Sure Be Cool If You Did”
• Eric Church – “Creepin’”
• Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
• Jason Aldean – “Take a Little Ride”
• Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”
• Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

• Carrie Underwood – “Two Black Cadillacs”
• Faith Hill – “American Heart”
• Jana Kramer – “Why Ya Wanna”
• Kacey Musgraves – “Merry Go ‘Round”
• Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”
• Taylor Swift – “Begin Again”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

• Lady Antebellum – “Downtown”
• Little Big Town – “Pontoon”
• Pistol Annies – “Takin’ Pills”
• Rascal Flatts – “Come Wake Me Up”
• The Band Perry – “Better Dig Two”
• Zac Brown Band – “Goodbye in Her Eyes”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

• Big & Rich – “That’s Why I Pray”
• Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
• Love and Theft – “Runnin’ Out Of Air”
• Thompson Square – “If I Didn’t Have You”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

• Dustin Lynch – “Cowboys and Angels”
• Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
• Jana Kramer – “Why Ya Wanna”
• Kacey Musgraves – “Merry Go ‘Round”
• Kip Moore – “Beer Money”
• Randy Houser – “How Country Feels”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

• Brad Paisley and Joe Walsh – “Rocky Mountain Way,” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOE WALSH & FRIENDS
• Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church – “The Only Way I Know,” from 2012 CMA Awards
• Kelly Clarkson featuring Vince Gill – “Don’t Rush,” from 2012 CMA Awards
• Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw – “Feel Like A Rockstar”
• Rascal Flatts and Journey – “Changed,” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOURNEY AND RASCAL FLATTS
• The Avett Brothers and Randy Travis – “Three Wooden Crosses” from CMT CROSSROADS: THE AVETT BROTHERS AND RANDY TRAVIS

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Dierks Bentley – “5-1-5-0” from CMT UNPLUGGED
• Eric Church – “Homeboy” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
• Luke Bryan and Ryan Tedder – “Drunk On You/Feel Again” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert – “Over You” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
• Rascal Flatts and Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOURNEY AND RASCAL FLATTS
• Toby Keith – “Beers Ago” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Voting will begin today (Monday, May 6) on CMT.com and will end Sunday, June 2 at Midnight ET.
 

He stopped loving her today/They laid a wreath upon his door…
George Jones became an Opry member in 1956. Today (May 2), like the line from his signature song, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” a wreath indeed graced the front door of the Grand Ole Opry House, the place where Jones had performed hundreds of times. Thousands of fans and friends gathered to say farewell to the entertainer whom many call the best singer in country music. The funeral, which lasted over three hours, was a fitting tribute to a legend whose voice inspired many of the vocalists who came after him. Jones died on Friday, April 26.
The funeral began with a performance of “Old Rugged Cross” by Tanya Tucker and The Imperials. Randy Travis sang “Amazing Grace” and The Oak Ridge Boys lent their tightly-woven harmonies to a passionate rendition of “Farther Along.” So began a morning of celebration and mourning, accentuated by timeless gospel hymns and country classics. Among those in attendance were Steve Moore, Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Marty Stuart, Jamey Johnson, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
As many entertainers took the stage, including Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Barbara Mandrell, Kid Rock, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Brad Paisley, Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna and Alan Jackson.
Mandrell, who once played steel guitar for Jones when she was a teenager, recalled the 1981 Country Music Association awards, held in the very same room as today’s funeral, when she performed her hit “I Was Country (When Country Wasn’t Cool).” During the performance, Jones had been sitting in the audience, and had risen from his seat to join Mandrell in song, to the delight of the audience.
A highlight of the morning came when a visibly emotional Gill, joined by Loveless, performed the Gill-penned “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” a song Gill first wrote in memory of his brother and finished when Keith Whitley passed on. “George taught us how to sing with a broken heart,” said Gill before the performance. The song’s lyrics seemed perfectly suited to the memory of Jones’ redeemed life: I know your life on Earth was troubled/and only you could know the pain/you weren’t afraid to face the devil/you were no stranger to the rain. 
Occasionally during the performance, Gill was overcome with emotion, allowing Loveless’ harmony vocal take the lead. Mid-song, Garth Brooks rose to his feet in the front row, leading the entire Opry house to do the same. The crowd of over 4,000 stood through the remainder of the song, in tribute to the legendary Jones.
Paisley noted that the funeral was being broadcast live and was streamed on various websites. To all of the younger country music fans tuning in, he said, “You must be thinking, ‘Man they are making a ruckus about this guy.’ I’d encourage you, if you don’t know about him, to go find him now. Go buy his records. You’ll see what all this ruckus is about and it’s worth it.” Paisley performed “Me & Jesus.” ‘I was lucky enough to have known George when he had gotten right with the Lord,” said Paisley. “What it must be like to be the maker that made him, meeting him. He is an inspirational story to all of us. If that man can live to 81 years old, all of us can fight against the things that bring us down.”
“George had a song for everyone,” said Daniels, who spoke of the lasting authenticity of Jones’ music and performed “Softly and Tenderly.” Indeed Jones did have a song for everyone—and, as many said, he sang not to everyone, but for everyone. Whether it was the humor of “The One I Loved Back Then,” the hope and heartache of “Golden Ring,” or the heartache of “A Picture Of Me (Without You).”
Chesney spoke of his memories of hearing the Jones song “Who’s Gonna Chop My Baby’s Kindlin (When I’m Gone)'” in his grandmother’s kitchen as a young boy and what a childhood hero Jones had been to him. He recalled the thrill of later calling Jones a friend. Speaking to George’s wife, Nancy, Chesney said, “I came here today to tell Nancy I love you…and I will miss him so much.” He left with the touchingly humorous promise that if Nancy ever needs someone to chop kindlin’ for her, he would be there. Other performers would express similar offers of support.
Speakers and performers gave due credit to Nancy (who wed George in 1983) throughout the funeral. Each spoke of Nancy’s love for George, and many acknowledged that George himself had said on many occasions that she saved his life. Tritt shared with the audience the moment he heard of the passing of Tammy Wynette. Tritt was with Kris Kristofferson at the time. “I looked at Kris and made the comment, ‘With all the years of hard living that George had, who would have ever thought that he would outlive Tammy?’ Kris looked at me and said, ‘Had it not been for Nancy, he would not have.'” Tritt then performed the Kristofferson classic, “Why Me Lord?”. Milsap later performed “When The Grass Grows Over Me.”
Jones’ pastor, Mike Wilson, gave a moving benediction, acknowledging Jones’ early days of wild living, and his redemption—or, as Paisley put it, “finding God and finding Nancy.” He also spoke of Jones’ love for his children and grandchildren, and his peaceful final days. “Life didn’t stop for George on Friday. It started,” said Wilson. Wilson quoted several Biblical scriptures, including John 14, and ended with a prayer. Fittingly, Wynonna performed a soulful rendition of the gospel hymn “How Great Thou Art.”
Throughout his career, Jones’ music and voice were authentic, free of pretense. His voice let each song’s message take center stage. It was only fitting that the service closed in the same manner. Saying nothing, Alan Jackson walked to the center of the Grand Ole Opry stage, and began a simple acoustic rendition of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” The capacity crowd of Jones’ fans and friends immediately stood, and as Jackson hit the first chorus, the audience applauded loudly, sensing the timeliness of the lyrics.
Soon they’ll carry him away/he stopped loving her today…
Pallbearers then took the flower-covered casket from the Opry House as the crowd stood, paying their final respects.
Perhaps Grand Ole Opry general manager Pete Fisher summed it up best. “As long as there is a Grand Ole Opry, and as long as people sing country music, George Jones’ spirit will live on.”

Del Bryant will retire in June 2014 and will relocate from New York to Nashville. He worked at BMI for 42 years and will continue as a consultant for the company.
“I’ve been privileged to lead this company I love, one of the world’s greatest music companies,” Bryant said via a statement. “I began my career with BMI in 1972 and after four decades with the company and 10 years as CEO, I’m excited to be moving back to my hometown of Nashville where my family and I will build a farm on beautiful land purchased by my folks with money earned from their BMI catalog. I look forward to working with the board during the transition period, and to supporting the company as a consultant after retiring as CEO.”
Bryant is the son of the late Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, Nashville songwriters who wrote “Bye Bye Love,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Rocky Top,” the state song of Tennessee and other hits.
The board of directors has formed a committee to choose Bryant’s successor.
Bryant’s letter to BMI staff is included below:
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My Dear Colleagues,
Milestones and dreams have formed a decision that I want to share with you. Earlier this year I requested the board renew my contract only through June of 2014, when I will step down as President and CEO. June 2014 will mark 42 years of service to BMI with 10 years as President and CEO. In 2014 I will be 65 and my son Tad will be 10.
In the last couple of years, Carolyn and I have realized that Tad is much more of a country kid than city kid. We have created something that we call the “farm dream” which means a house with a lot of land for animals and gardens. In order to make this dream a reality we will be moving to my hometown, Nashville, in the summer of 2014. We will be building a farm on beautiful property purchased by my folks with money earned from their BMI catalog. It is a tract upon which my father always hoped to build and live. The idea of going home, melding my dad’s dream with ours, being with other branches of my family and dear friends, playing with Tad, having great school options, tinkering with projects, and relaxing is very exciting.
In a little over a year I’ll focus on how blessed I feel to have forged such a rewarding career helping songwriters and publishers. I will highlight the incredible accomplishments of this team. We’ll reminisce about time together. Again, that’s over a year away. In the meantime, I have a lot to do and I remain intensely committed to the work at hand at the company I love.
The board’s esteem for my career contributions is evident in their excitement for me and support. I stand ready to lend my insight and history as they embark on the same process as when I succeeded Frances Preston. I’m certain that the board’s wisdom and experience will result in a leadership team that will be great for the company, the communities we serve, and the industry. I will work tirelessly to help prepare my successor and will, along with the board, keep you abreast of the search and transition. I will also remain engaged as a consultant. Thereafter, as I’ve always been, an ambassador for BMI.
Thank you in advance for your well wishes and for keeping your priorities right where they are and where they need to be: on business as usual and hard work.
Del