RASCAL FLATTS will open Country Music s Biggest Night with Still Feels Good. But later in the broadcast, R B singer and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx will perform She Goes All the Way with the group. Odd pairings have become normal in country music a trend that began with the Nelly and Tim McGraw collaboration Over and Over Again. Also paired at the awards as presenters are the pop singer Jewel and her rodeo champ husband, Ty Murray . And don t forget the Eagles performance.

Has the band with a Peaceful Easy Feeling come full circle? Country, at this point in their career, must have the fastest lane. BRAD PAISLEY and George Strait tied for the lead with five nominations. Since they re competing in several of the same categories, such as Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year, someone might leave with a bruised ego. LAST YEAR, when Carrie Underwood was announced as the Female Vocalist of the Year, Faith Hill s facial expression WHAT?! conveyed her thoughts.

If publicists hadn t already warned their stars that they always are on camera, they will now. THE HORIZON AWARD for country s newcomer of the year always is a wide contest. The nominees are Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift (who will perform with Brad Paisley Nov. 10 at the North Charleston Coliseum). No, American Idol fans, you can t vote for Pickler. DIERKS BENTLEY S Long Trip Alone is nominated for Album of the Year.

But he faces stiff competition from Brad Paisley s 5th Gear, George Strait s It Just Comes Natural, Keith Urban s Love, Pain the whole crazy thing and Vince Gill s These Days. If Bentley wins, how many more of you will go see him perform Nov. 23 at the Colonial Center? FOR THE SECOND YEAR in a row, the biggest cheer will go to Keith Urban . He missed the 2006 show because he was in rehab; he ll perform this time. Let s hope he goes the path that hasn t been trod by Lindsay, Britney and Amy .