Keith, Cash up for music awards

Toby Keith, acclaimed for his album “Unleashed” and the single “Beer for My Horses,” led the field with seven nominations in the 37th annual Country Music Assn. Awards, including entertainer of the year.

But a performer who is three decades older also figured strongly in the results, which were announced Tuesday in Nashville: Johnny Cash, 71, who won his first CMA award 35 years ago, received four nominations, including one for album of the year for “American IV: The Man Comes Around.”

Keith, 41, who was named entertainer of the year in May by the rival Academy of Country Music, will compete for the ACM’s version of that honor with Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw. Notably absent from the nominations were two of Nashville’s recent queens, Shania Twain and Faith Hill.

Other multiple nominees include Brad Paisley, Jackson, Willie Nelson and Darryl Worley. The Dixie Chicks, who suffered commercially after a controversial anti-Bush comment by singer Natalie Maines, were nominated for best vocal group and album of the year.

The winners, determined by the Nashville-based academy’s 5,000 voters, will be announced in nationally televised ceremonies Nov. 5.