There have been no women nominated since the Dixie Chicks won the award in 2000 and Shania Twain won in 1999 (apart from the Chicks' losing nomination in 2001). The only other women to be named entertainer in the CMA Awards' 40-year history are Reba McEntire, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn.

A big congratulations to Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood for keeping women in the spotlight. IT is a shame that neither Martina McBride nor Faith Hill were included in the Entertainer category. Both are well deserving.

To the country establishment: who has the top selling all-genre album since Soundscan began? That's right! A woman.. a COUNTRY WOMAN.

Shame.