See exclusive photos from the CMA Awards nominees dinner

By Christian Holub
November 06, 2018 at 05:53 PM EST

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Shane McAnally, Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town), Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Jimi Westbrook (Little Big Town), and Phillip Sweet (Little Big Town)

Jamie Schramm/Country Music Association

Country’s finest gathered at the CMA Awards nominees dinner at House of Cards in Nashville on Monday night. Garth Brooks, who has reigned as the CMA Entertainer of the Year for two straight years, looked like the unofficial host of the soiree.

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Shane McAnally and Garth Brooks

Jamie Schramm/Country Music Association

“We’re all family, this awards show brings us all together so we all celebrate one night…we are all one, Country Music,” Brooks said while making a toast at the dinner. 

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CMA Awards Nominees

Country Music Association

The dinner brought together a whole range of country artists nominated for this year’s awards show, which will be hosted for an 11th consecutive year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 14 on ABC.

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Shane McAnally

John Russell/Country Music Association

Songwriter Shane McAnally is a nominee for Song of the Year, thanks to his work on Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road.” 

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Shane McAnally with husband Michael Baum

John Russell/Country Music Association

Over the course of the evening, nominees were invited to take part in magic tricks set up at tables like this one. 

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Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum) with wife Cassie Kelley

John Russell/Country Music Association

In addition to the magic tricks set up at tables, the Nashville venue also hosted two magic shows in its theater. 

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Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum)

Jamie Schramm/Country Music Association

Kelley was at the dinner representing his band Lady Antebellum, which is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year. 

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Dan + Shay

John Russell/Country Music Association

The musical duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney are nominated for three awards this year, including Vocal Duo of the Year. 

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Dan Smyers (Dan + Shay), Nicolle Galyon, and Jordan Reynolds

John Russell/Country Music Association

These three songwriters share a Song of the Year nomination for their work on “Tequila” by Dan + Shay. 

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Nicolle Galyon

John Russell/Country Music Association

On top of her nomination for “Tequila,” Galyon has worked with several of this year’s nominated artists in the past, including Lady Antebellum and Keith Urban. 

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Nicolle Galyon

John Russell/Country Music Association

Galyon was previously nominated for Song of the Year in 2014, thanks to her work on Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic.” 

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Dierks Bentley

John Russell/Country Music Association

Bentley — who is up for three CMA Awards including Album of the Year (The Mountain), Male Vocalist of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year (“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne) — also made sure to attend the soiree.

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Luke Combs

John Russell/Country Music Association

Luke Combs is nominated for two awards: Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. 

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David Lee Murphy with wife Donna Murphy

Jamie Schramm/Country Music Association

David Lee Murphy’s duet with Kenny Chesney, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” is nominated for Musical Event of the Year. 

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Jimmy Robbins

John Russell/Country Music Association

Songwriter Jimmy Robins has penned songs for several of this year’s nominees, including Dan + Shay. 

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Josh Kerr

John Russell/Country Music Association

Josh Kerr was a producer on Keith Urban’s Graffiti U, which is nominated for Album of the Year. 

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