NASHVILLE – March 6, 2008 – Shattering all previous records, over two million votes were cast for the final nominees of the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, putting country superstars Brad Paisley and Sugarland in the lead with four final nominations. Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Trace Adkins share the designation of three nominations each. 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS host Billy Ray Cyrus garners his first nomination for the tear jerking "Ready, Set, Don't Go." The 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS continues to be the genre's only fan-voted awards show and will air live from Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT* on CMT and CMT.com.

"Voting for the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS is at an all-time high, making the awards more competitive than ever," said Brian Philips, executive vice president and general manager, CMT. "With superstar performances like those from our top nominees Brad Paisley and Sugarland and exciting new categories, this year's show promises to be a night full of surprises."

Fans can now vote online at CMT.com through Friday, April 11 to determine the night's winners. The final nominees for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the show, and fans can vote at CMT.com, as well as via mobile phone, throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner. Log on to CMT.com to view streaming clips of nominated videos.