The 2017 CMA Awards nominees were revealed on Sept. 4, and the annual awards show is set to take place in early November. Alongside expected names -- Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan -- this year's list of contenders features plenty of pleasant surprises.

There's Lauren Alaina with her first-ever CMA Awards nod ... and Jason Isbell's totally surprising Album of the Year nomination. And how about seeing Reba McEntire's name among the list of Female Vocalist of the Year nominees? Flip through the photo gallery below to see more of the (pleasant) surprises among the 2017 CMA Awards nominations.

The 2017 CMA Awards are scheduled to air on ABC on Nov. 8, at 8PM ET; the ceremony will take place live at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the 2017 CMA Awards for the 10th year in a row.

The Boot will be staying up late covering the most buzzed-about winners, fashion and moments at the 2017 CMA Awards. Readers can watch along with us by checking back to TheBoot.com for the latest CMAs headlines, liking The Boot on Facebook and following The Boot on Twitter.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood's Most Unforgettable CMA Awards Moments

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