In addition to the eight categories listed below, The Johnny Cash Visionary Award will be presented to one act to recognize musical vision, innovative and groundbreaking videos, and pioneering initiatives in entertainment.

In the first round of voting, happening now, fans cast their ballots on CMT's website to choose the final four of eight nominees in each category. The finalists will be announced Feb. 28, after which time final-round voting begins.

The winners will be announced April 16 during the awards ceremony at Nashville's Curb Event Center. Country comedian Jeff Foxworthy will host the show for the third consecutive year.

The first round of nominees is as follows:

Video of the Year
Toby Keith, "A Little Too Late"
Carrie Underwood, "Before He Cheats"
Dixie Chicks, "Not Ready to Make Nice"
Keith Urban, "Once in a Lifetime"
George Strait, "The Seashores of Old Mexico"
Sugarland, "Want To"
Rascal Flatts, "What Hurts the Most"
Kenny Chesney, "You Save Me"

Male Video of the Year
Toby Keith, "A Little Too Late"
Alan Jackson, "Like Red on a Rose"
Dierks Bentley, "Long Trip Alone"
Tim McGraw, "My Little Girl"
Keith Urban, "Once in a Lifetime"
George Strait, "The Seashores of Old Mexico"
Josh Turner, "Would You Go With Me"
Kenny Chesney, "You Save Me"

Female Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, "Before He Cheats"
Gretchen Wilson, "California Girls"
Lee Ann Womack, "Finding My Way Back Home"
Reba McEntire, "Love Needs a Holiday"
LeAnn Rimes, "Some People"
Faith Hill, "Stealing Kisses"
Taylor Swift, "Tim McGraw"
Sara Evans, "You'll Always Be My Baby"

Duo Video of the Year
Big & Rich, "8th of November"
Brooks & Dunn, "Building Bridges"
Brooks & Dunn, "Hillbilly Deluxe"
The Wreckers, "Leave the Pieces"
Sugarland, "Settlin'"
Montgomery Gentry, "Some People Change"
Van Zant, "Things I Miss the Most"
Sugarland, "Want To"

Group Video of the Year
Little Big Town, "Good as Gone"
Alison Krauss & Union Station, "If I Didn't Know Any Better"
SheDAISY, "In Terms of Love"
Rascal Flatts, "Life Is a Highway"
Emerson Drive, "Moments"
Lonestar, "Mountains"
Dixie Chicks, "Not Ready to Make Nice"
Rascal Flatts, "What Hurts the Most"

Breakthrough Video of the Year
Jason Aldean, "Amarillo Sky"
Chris Young, "Drinkin' Me Lonely"
Danielle Peck, "Findin' a Good Man"
Ashley Monroe, "I Don't Want To"
The Wreckers, "Leave the Pieces"
Kellie Pickler, "Red High Heels"
Taylor Swift, "Tim McGraw"
Jake Owen, "Yee Haw"

Wide Open Video of the Year (consisting of videos featured on "CMT Wide Open Country," which showcases alt-country, bluegrass and Americana music):
Sheryl Crow with Sting, "Always on Your Side"
Jimmy Buffett, "Bama Breeze"
Pat Green, "Dixie Lullaby"
Johnny Cash, "God's Gonna Cut You Down"
Shooter Jennings, "Gone to Carolina"
Alison Krauss & Union Station, "If I Didn't Know Any Better"
Jack Ingram, "Love You"
Willie Nelson, "You Don't Know Me"

Video Director of the Year (accepted by the director and artist):
Gary Allan & director Paul Boyd, "Life Ain't Always Beautiful"
Jason Aldean & director Wes Edwards, "Amarillo Sky"
LeAnn Rimes & director David McClister, "Some People"
Dierks Bentley & director Charles Mehling, "Long Trip Alone"
Dixie Chicks & director Sophie Mulller, "Not Ready to Make Nice"
Faith Hill & director Sophie Muller, "Stealing Kisses"
Kenny Chesney & director Shaun Silva, "You Save Me"
Carrie Underwood & director Roman White, "Before He Cheats"