Tim McGraw leads the pack

Tim McGraw led the list of nominees for the 40th annual Academy of Country Music Awards with six nominations, including one for entertainer of the year.

Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss and Gretchen Wilson each received five nominations, while Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban had four apiece.

Keith, the reigning entertainer of the year and a nominee for the award again this year along with McGraw, Chesney, Urban and Brooks & Dunn, announced the nominees Thursday.

Most of McGraw’s nominations stem from his hit single “Live Like You Were Dying,” a song about living life to its fullest that the singer says has special meaning because his father, former Mets and Phillies relief pitcher Tug McGraw, died of cancer last year.

Besides entertainer of the year, McGraw was nominated for top male vocalist, single of the year, song of the year, album of the year and video of the year.

Newcomer Wilson, who had the breakout hit of the year with “Redneck Woman,” was nominated for top female vocalist, top new artist, single of the year, album of the year and video of the year.

The awards show will be broadcast May 17 on CBS.