Los Angeles  - Brad Paisley was nominated for six Country Music Awards Wednesday, leading the field for the prestigious prizes ahead of Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Jamey Johnson, George Strait and the Zac Brown Band with four nods apiece.

Paisley was nominated for male vocalist of the year, which he has won for the past two years. He will go up against reigning entertainer of the year, Kenny Chesney, for the top prize and will also compete for video of the year and collaboration of the year.

Young star Taylor Swift is nominated for female vocalist of the year and entertainer of the year - pitting her against Chesney, Strait, Paisley and Urban. Other female vocalist nominees are Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire.

Strait's nominations for entertainer, male vocalist, music video and music event give him a career total of 79, tying him with Alan Jackson for the most nominations in the history of the awards. Strait has won 22, more than any other artist.

The 43rd annual awards will be held in Nashville on November 11.  dpa