The nominations were announced for the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday morning (Jan. 29), and two of the format’s veteran performers found at the top of the nominations list.
Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert were the top artists with seven nominations apiece. McGraw — who won the ACM Top New Male Vocalist trophy back in 1995- is in the running for Album of the Year for “Two Lanes Of Freedom,” Single Record, Vocal Event, and Video of the Year for “Highway Don’t Care” alongside of Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. He received three more nods for his production efforts in the Album, Single, and Vocal Event categories.
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Miranda Lambert tallied her third consecutive nomination in the Entertainer of the Year category and her eighth for Female Vocalist, which she has won the past four years. She also is up for Single Record, Song, and Video for “Mama’s Broken Heart.” Lambert is a double nominee in the Vocal Event of the Year listing for “We Were Us,” her chart-topping hit with Keith Urban, as well as for “Boys ‘Round Here,” with husband Blake Shelton – where she contributed vocals as a member of the Pistol Annies.
Urban was right behind with six. The “American Idol” judge is up for Male Vocalist of the Year, as well as the three awards for “Highway Don’t Care” and nomination for “We Were Us,” which he also gained a nod for being a producer on the track.
Up for five awards are Lee Brice, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, and Kacey Musgraves. Fresh off her double win night at the Grammys, the Mercury recording artist is in the running for Female Vocalist, Video of the Year (“Blowin’ Smoke”), Song of the Year (for her part in co-writing Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart”), and Album of the Year for “Same Trailer Different Park,” for which she also received a production nod.
In the top category, reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan has a chance to repeat, vying for the prize with George Strait, Lambert, Shelton, and Swift. Bryan is also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year alongside Jason Aldean, Brice, Shelton, and Urban, as well as for Album of the Year for his “Crash My Party” disc – which is included among albums from McGraw, Musgraves, Shelton, and Florida Georgia Line.
As far as surprises went, Sheryl Crow was included in the Female Vocalist of the Year category — her first such nomination. Crow released “Feels Like Home” for Warner Brothers last September. Rising duo Dan + Shay (also on Warner Brothers) totally bypassed the New Artist category, and earned consideration for Vocal Duo of the Year, and Gary Allan – who is absent from awards show lists far too often – has a chance to walk away with the Song of the Year prize, as he co-wrote “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” with Hillary Lindsey and Matthew Warren.
Nominees were revealed online via the third annual ACM digital press conference this morning. Fox Sports broadcaster Erin Andrews, “2 Broke Girls” star Beth Behrs, reigning ACM Songwriter of the Year Dallas Davidson, “The Insider” co-anchor Kevin Frazier, singer and “Pretty Little Liars” star (and rising singer) Lucy Hale, CBS This Morning co-anchor Gayle King, Jerrod Niemann, Entertainment Tonight co-anchor Nancy O’Dell, Duck Dynasty stars Willie and Korie Robertson, Darius Rucker, The Talk hosts Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler & Sheryl Underwood and surprise guest pop superstar Katy Perry, all announced nominations in video postings to the Academy’s Facebook and Twitter sites during the approximately 45 minute online event.
Fans will again help select the winner of both the Academy’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year, and the New Artist of the Year Presented By Kohl’s. As previously announced, Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Justin Moore, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett and Parmalee are the semi-finalists for this year’s ACM New Artist of the Year. These top eight (8) artists from the first round of ACM professional voting will compete via the Great American Country fan vote at GACtv.com, combined with the ACM professional membership vote, to determine the 3 nominees for the award. An additional combined fan and professional membership vote will determine the winner. The winners of Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year will be announced live during the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan on Sunday, April 6 on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and are produced by Dick Clark Productions.
List of ACM Awards Nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Lee Brice
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sheryl Crow
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Based On A True Story… – Blake Shelton
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
Crash My Party – Luke Bryan
Producer: Jeff Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Here’s To The Good Times – Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Republic Nashville
Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: Mercury Records
Two Lanes Of Freedom – Tim McGraw
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Label: Big Machine Records
Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Cruise – Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Republic Nashville
Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Label: Big Machine Records
I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Producers: Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs, Matt McClure
Record Label: Curb Records
Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville
Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum
Producer: Frank Rogers
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain) – Gary Allan
Songwriters: Gary Allan, Hillary Lindsey, Matthew Warren
Publishers: Always Alone Songs (ASCAP), Crystal Beach Music (BMI), Raylene Music (ASCAP)
I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary
Publishers: Beattyville Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Happy Tears Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI)
Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: 351 Music (BMI), Crazy Water Music (ASCAP), Little Blue Egg (ASCAP), Songs of Parallel (ASCAP), Vista Loma Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
Mine Would Be You – Blake Shelton
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Ruttan
Publishers: Doc and Maggie Music (ASCAP), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Get A Load Of This Music (ASCAP), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Hopeless Rose Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum
Songwriters: Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor
Publishers: Blood Donor Music (BMI), Special Rider Music (SESAC)
Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) (TIE)
Better Dig Two – The Band Perry
Producer: Eric Williams
Director: Declan Whitebloom
Blowin’ Smoke – Kacey Musgraves
Producer: Josh Goldstein
Director: Honey
Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
Producers: Tameron Hedge, Chandra LaPlume
Director: Shane Drake
I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Producer: Karen Martin
Director: Eric Welch
Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Reagan Rosson
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Two Black Cadillacs – Carrie Underwood
Producer: Steve Lamar
Director: P.R. Brown
Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)
Boys ‘Round Here – Blake Shelton Featuring Pistol Annies & Friends
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
Cruise (Remix) – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly
Producers: Joey Moi, Jason Nevins
Record Label: Republic Nashville
Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Label: Big Machine Records
Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum
Producer: Frank Rogers
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
We Were Us – Keith Urban And Miranda Lambert
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Capitol Records Nashville, Hit Red Records, RCA Nashvill
OFF CAMERA AWARDS – The following off-camera awards will be presented during the 8th Annual ACM Honors event on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 in Nashville.
songwriter of the year *(Off Camera Award)
Rhett Akins
Rodney Clawson
Ashley Gorley
Luke Laird
Shane McAnally
INDUSTRY AWARDS:
CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa Rancho Mirage, CA
Deadwood Mountain Grand Deadwood, SD
Mohegan Sun Wolf Den Uncasville, CT
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Mount Pleasant, MI
The Joint at Hard Rock Casino Catoosa, OK
CASINO OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino Windsor, ON?, Canada
Casino Rama Rama, ON, Canada
Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, CT
Star of the Desert Arena Primm, NV
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, NV
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
Billy Bob’s Texas Fort Worth, TX
Bub City Chicago, IL
Floore’s Country Store Helotes, TX
The Dusty Armadillo Rootstown, OH
Wild Bills Duluth, GA
VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
American Music Theatre Lancaster, PA
Cape Cod Melody Tent Hyannis, MA
Georgia Theatre Athens, GA
House of Blues Boston, MA
The Moody Theater Austin, TX
VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
Amphitheater at The Wharf Orange Beach, AL
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook Gilford, NH
Big Sandy Superstore Arena Huntington, WV
Grand Ole Opry House Nashville, TN
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Golden, CO
VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
BOK Center Tulsa, OK
Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN
Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion Bangor, ME
Gorge Amphitheatre George, WA
Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, CA
DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
Brock Jones – Global Spectrum
Nicole More – Neste Event Marketing
Fran Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
R.J. Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brent Fedrizzi – AEG Live
Brad Garrett – Police Productions
Billy Minick – Billy Bob’s Texas
Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
Ron Sakamoto – Gold & Gold Productions
STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS:
(FORMERLY KNOWN AS MUSICIAN/BANDLEADER/INSTRUMENTALIST (MBI) AWARDS)
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Brignardello
Kevin “Swine” Grantt
Mark Hill
Michael Rhodes
Glenn Worf
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Chad Cromwell
Fred Eltringham
Shannon Forrest
Greg Morrow
Lonnie Wilson
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jeff King
Troy Lancaster
Brent Mason
Rob McNelley
Jerry McPherson
PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tony Harrell
John Jarvis
Charlie Judge
Tim Lauer
Gordon Mote
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Glen Duncan
Larry Franklin
Jim Hoke
Danny Rader
Bryan Sutton
STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Dugmore
Paul Franklin
Steve Hinson
Russ Pahl
Scotty Sanders
AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Derek Bason
Ben Fowler
Mills Logan
Steve Marcantonio
Justin Niebank
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Mark Bright
Dann Huff
Michael Knox
Frank Liddell
Paul Worley
RADIO AWARDS – The following radio awards will be presented during the annual Radio Winners Reception held the day prior to the ACM Awards telecast, on Saturday, April 5 in Las Vegas.
NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Bobby Bones, Amy, Lunchbox The Bobby Bones Show
Crook & Chase Crook & Chase Countdown
Kix Brooks American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
Lia The Lia Show
Lon Helton Country Countdown USA
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
Dave and Veronica WQYK-FM St. Petersburg, FL
Donna & “Muss” KEEY-FM Minneapolis, MN
Dr. Don Carpenter; Rachael Hunter; WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
Grunwald; Jason the 300lb. Cowboy
Edwards & Lee – Chuck Edwards & Linda Lee WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
Paul Schadt and Meg Geof WKKT-FM Charlotte, NC
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
Big Dave & Chelsie WUBE-FM Cincinnati, OH
Dave O’Brien WLHK-FM Indianapolis, IN
Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & WFMS-FM Indianapolis, IN
Kevin Freeman
Lisa McKay WQDR-FM Raleigh, NC
Randy Carroll and Jamie Martin KAJA-FM San Antonio, TX
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
Andy Ritchie, Alison West, Jimmy Holt WIVK-FM Knoxville, TN
Dan Brennan & Shelby Mitchell WKSJ-FM Mobile, AL
Kevin Richards WGNA-FM Schenectady, NY
Scott Wynn & Sue Wilson WQMX-FM Akron, OH
Steve Lundy and Gina Melton KXKT-FM Omaha, NE
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry KKNU-FM Eugene, OR
Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore KUAD-FM Windsor, CO
Dex and Mo WUSY- FM Chattanooga, TN
Mark Ericson, Karen Kiley WOKQ-FM/WPKQ-FM Portsmouth, NH
Scotty Cox, Cara Denis KCLR-FM Columbia, MO
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
KUPL-FM Portland, OR
WIL-FM St. Louis, MO
WKLB-FM Boston, MA
WSOC-FM Charlotte, NC
WXTU FM Philadelphia, PA
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
WCTK-FM Providence, RI
WFMS – FM Indianapolis, IN
WLHK-FM Indianapolis, IN
WMIL-FM Greenfield, WI
WQDR-FM Raleigh, NC
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
KXKT-FM Omaha, NE
WBBS-FM Syracuse, NY
WCYQ FM Knoxville, TN
WDXB-FM Birmingham, AL
WKMK FM Neptune, NJ
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
KSJJ-FM Bend, OR
WGSQ-FM Cookeville, TN
WUSY-FM Chattanooga, TN
WXFL-FM Florence, AL
WYCT-FM Pensacola, FL