NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 48th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

Nominations were announced today for the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, an evening featuring country music’s greatest talent and newest artists. The ACM Awards will be broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in beautiful Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7th, 2013 at 8: 00 pm live eastern/delayed pacific on the CBS television network.

The ACM Awards will be hosted by country music superstars Black Shelton and Luke Bryan, both of whom are nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. This will be Shelton’s third time hosting the ACM Awards and Bryan’s first time hosting a live televised event. This year also marks the first time that Bryan is nominated for Entertainer of the Year.

In the lead for most ACM nominations is Eric Church, with 7 nominations in categories such as album of the year and male vocalist of the year. Taylor Swift is not only nominated for 5 ACM Awards (tied with Miranda Lambert), this will also be her fourth time being nominated for Entertainer of the Year. If Swift wins Entertainer of the year, she will be the first female artist who has won the award for three consecutive years.

Carrie Underwood is also receiving her eighth ACM Award nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year, an award she previously won in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

First-time ACM Award nominees include Kacey Musgraves (4 nominations), Florida Georgia Line (3 nominations), Jana Kramer (2 nominations), Natasha Bedingfield (1 nomination), Will Hogee (1 nomination), Eric Paslay (1 nomination) and Sunny Sweeney (1 nomination).

Fans also have a chance to select the winner of the ACM’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year, as well as the New artist of the Year category.  The winners of both categories will be announced live at the ACM Awards show.

The nominees for the 48th annual Academy of Country Music Awards are:

Entertainer of the Year

  • Jason Aldean
  • Luke Bryan
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Blake Shelton
  • Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist of the year

  • Jason Aldean
  • Luke Bryan
  • Eric Church
  • Toby Keith
  • Blake Shelton

Female Vocalist of the year

  • Miranda Lambert
  • Martina McBride
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Taylor Swift
  • Carrie Underwood

Vocal Duo of the year

  • Big & Rich
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Love and Theft
  • Sugarland
  • Thompson Square

Vocal Group OF THE YEAR

  • The Band Perry
  • Eli Young Band
  • Lady Antebellum
  • Little Big Town
  • Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

  • Lee Brice
  • Brantley Gilbert
  • Hunter Hayes

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

  • Jana Kramer
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Sunny Sweeney

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Love and Theft
  • Thompson Square

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S DEPARTMENT STORES  [Winners of New Male, New Female & New Vocal Duo or Group  Of The Year]

  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Brantley Gilbert
  • Jana Kramer

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]

  • Blown Away – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)

Produced by: Mark Bright

  • Chief – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)

Produced by:  Jay Joyce

  • Red – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)

Produced by: Jeff Bhasker, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker, Dan Wilson

  • tailgates & tanlines – Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville)

Produced by: Mark Bright, Jeff Stevens

  • Tornado – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)

Produced by: Jay Joyce

Single Record of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]

  • Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville)

Produced by: Mike Wrucke

  • Over You – Miranda Lambert (RCA)

Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf

  • Pontoon – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)

Produced by: Jay Joyce

  • Springsteen – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)

Produced by: Jay Joyce

  • Wanted – Hunter Hayes (Atlantic/WMN)

Produced by: Hunter Hayes, Dann Huff

Song of the Year [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

  • A Woman Like You – Lee Brice

Composers: Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone

Publishers: 3JB Music (BMI), Adios Pantalones (SESAC), Hears That Skyline Music (SESAC), Sixteen Stars Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

  • Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band

Composers: Will Hoge, Eric Paslay

Publishers: Cal IV Songs (ASCAP), Will Hoge Music (BMI)

  • Over You – Miranda Lambert

Composers: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton

Publishers:  Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)

  • Springsteen – Eric Church

Composers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell

Publishers: Bug Music (BMI), Ole Purple Cape Music (BMI), Sinnerlina (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)

  • Wanted – Hunter Hayes

Composers: Hunter Hayes, Troy Verges

Publishers:  Happy Little Man Publishing (BMI), Songs From The Engine Room (BMI), Songs Of Universal Inc. (BMI)

songwriter of the year *(Off Camera Award)

  • Rodney Clawson
  • Dallas Davidson
  • Josh Kear
  • Luke Laird
  • Shane McAnally

Video of the Year [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) [TIE]

  • Creepin’ – Eric Church

Producer: Iris Baker

Director: Peter Zavadil

  • Merry Go ‘Round – Kacey Musgraves

Producers: Perry Bean, Kacey Musgraves

Director: Perry Bean

  • Tornado – Little Big Town

Producer: Iris Baker

Director: Shane Drake

  • Wanted – Hunter Hayes

Producers: Stephanie Reeves, Eric Williams

Directors: Traci Goudie, Patrick Hubik

  • We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

Producer: John Nguyen

Director:  Declan Whitebloom

  • The Wind – Zac Brown Band

Producer: Ben Kalina

Director:  Mike Judge

Vocal Event of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)

  • Don’t Rush – Kelly Clarkson Featuring Vince Gill (19/RCA/Columbia Nashville)

Produced by: Dann Huff

  • Easy – Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield (Big Machine Records)

Produced by: Dann Huff, Brian Kennedy, Rascal Flatts

  • Feel Like A Rock Star – Kenny Chesney (Duet With Tim McGraw) (Blue Chair/BNA)

Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

  • Let It Rain – David Nail  Featuring Sarah Buxton (MCA Nashville)

Produced by:  Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell

  • The Only Way I Know – Jason Aldean With Luke Bryan & Eric Church (Broken Bow)

Produced by:  Michael Knox

OFF CAMERA AWARDS – The following off-camera awards will be presented during the annual ACM Honors event held in Nashville this fall.

INDUSTRY AWARDS:

CASINO OF THE YEAR

  • Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CA
  • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Tulsa, OK
  • Northern Quest Casino – Airway Heights, WA
  • Red Rock Casino & Resort – Las Vegas, NV
  • · WinStar World Casino – Thackerville, OK

NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR

  • Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA
  • Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL
  • The Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown, OH
  • Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill – Denver, CO
  • Wild Bills – Duluth, GA

VENUE OF THE YEAR

  • Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
  • BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
  • Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, IN
  • Meadowbrook – Gilford, NH
  • Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR

  • Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
  • Jerry Hufford – Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
  • Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents
  • Pat Powelson – Jayson Promotions, Inc.
  • Fran Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

  • Brad Garrett – Police Productions
  • Darin Lashinsky – NS2
  • Debra Rathwell – AEG Live
  • Glenn Smith – Glenn Smith Presents
  • Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar

MUSICIAN/BANDLEADER/INSTRUMENTALIST (MBI) AWARDS:

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

  • Brett Beavers
  • Buddy Cannon
  • Dann Huff
  • Jay Joyce
  • Michael Knox

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

  • Chuck Ainlay
  • Derek Bason
  • Mills Logan
  • Steve Marcantonio
  • F. Reid Shippen

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • Dennis Crouch
  • Kevin “Swine” Grantt
  • Larry Paxton
  • Jimmie Lee Sloas
  • Glenn Worf

PERCUSSIONIST/DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

  • Eddie Bayers
  • Matt Chamberlain
  • Chad Cromwell
  • Chris McHugh
  • Greg Morrow

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • Glen Duncan
  • Larry Franklin
  • Aubrey Haynie
  • Hank Singer
  • Joe Spivey

GUITARIST OF THE YEAR

  • Tom Bukovac
  • J.T. Corenflos
  • Jay Joyce
  • Rob McNelley
  • Brent Mason

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • John Jarvis
  • Charlie Judge
  • Gordon Mote
  • Steve Nathan
  • Michael Rojas

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • Eric Darken
  • Glen Duncan
  • Jim Hoke
  • Bryan Sutton
  • Ilya Toshinsky

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • Dan Dugmore
  • Mike Johnson
  • Greg Leisz
  • Russ Pahl
  • Scotty Sanders

RADIO AWARDS – The following radio awards will be presented during the annual Radio Winners event held the day prior to the ACM Awards telecast, on April 6th in Las Vegas.

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL

  • Blair Garner  After MidNite with Blair Garner
  • Cody Alan       CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan
  • Kix Brooks      American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
  • Shawn Parr     The Country’s Hotlist with Shawn Parr
  • Whitney Allen  The Big Time with Whitney Allen

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET

  • Cornbread, Judi Diamond & Cap’n Mac- WIL-FM St. Louis, MO
  • Dr. Don Carpenter, Rachel, Grunwald & Jason the 300lb. Cowboy- WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
  • Drew Walker- WUSN-FM Chicago, IL
  • Edwards & Lee- WYCD-FM  Detroit, MI
  • Trish Biondo- WUSN-FM Chicago, IL

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET

  • Chris Carr, Maverick & Statt- WUBE-FM Cincinnati, OH
  • Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & Kevin Freeman- WFMS-FM  Indianapolis, IN
  • Lisa McKay- WQDR-FM  Raleigh, NC
  • Q Morning Crew – Mike Wheless, Marty Young & Janie Carothers- WQDR-FM Raleigh, NC
  • Randy Carroll and Jamie Martin- KAJA-FM San Antonio, TX

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

  • Cash and Carey- KWEN-FM Tulsa, OK
  • Jack Ryan- WMYL-FM Knoxville, TN
  • Party Marty Mitchell- WKMK-FM Monmouth-Ocean, NJ
  • Rowdy Yates, Sunny Leigh & Carly Rush- KVOO-FM Tulsa, OK
  • Tom and Becky- WBBS-FM Syracuse, NY

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

  • Brent Lane- WYCT-FM Pensacola, FL
  • Dex and Mo- WUSY-FM Chattanooga, TN
  • Gator Harrison, Styckman & Cowboy Kyle- WUSY-FM Chattanooga, TN
  • Jamie Mac- KCLR-FM Columbia, MO
  • Philip Gibbons- WGSQ-FM Cookeville, TN

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET

  • KNIX-FM        Phoenix, AZ
  • KUPL-FM       Portland, OR
  • WDSY-FM      Pittsburgh, PA
  • WQYK-FM     St. Petersburg, FL
  • WYCD-FM      Detroit, MI

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET

  • KAJA-FM        San Antonio, TX
  • WFMS-FM      Indianapolis, IN
  • WLHK-FM     Indianapolis, IN
  • WSM-AM        Nashville, TN
  • WUBE-FM      Cincinnati, OH

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

  • KUZZ-AM/FM  Bakersfield, CA
  • WBBS-FM      Syracuse, NY
  • WGNA-FM      Schenectady, NY
  • WKMK-FM    Monmouth-Ocean, NJ
  • WMYL-FM     Knoxville, TN

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

  • KCLR-FM       Columbia, MO
  • WXFL-FM      Florence, AL
  • WYCT-FM      Pensacola, FL

Posted on February 13th, 2013