POP/ROCK - Aug. 21, 1989

Some of the top names in country music--including Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, K.T. Oslin, the Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Barbara Mandrell--failed to become finalists in the 23rd annual Country Music Assn. awards, but Rodney Crowell, Ricky Van Shelton and Hank Williams Jr. have been nominated for four honors each. In addition, the late Keith Whitley was nominated for three awards, along with newcomer Clint Black, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, George Strait and Randy Travis. Williams, the CMA’s entertainer of the year in 1987 and 1988, is a finalist for that honor again. He is joined by Reba McEntire, Shelton, Strait and Travis. Winners will be announced Oct. 9 during a nationally televised show at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.