Having had just enough time to catch our breath after the Grammys, we now find ourselves gearing up for ACM season. This year’s Academy of Country Music Award nominees have just been announced today. Not surprisingly, this year’s nominees are wildly uneven, with “bro country” scoring ample representation. Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw lead with seven nominations each.
Chime in with your thoughts below. Country Universe’s Staff Picks and Predictions will be unveiled the week of the show. Tune into the live broadcast on Sunday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m. EST to see who will emerge victorious this year.
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
New Artist of the Year
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
Tyler Farr
Justin Moore
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Parmalee
Album of the Year
Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story…
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party
Florida Georgia Line, Here’s to the Good Times
Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer Different Park
Tim McGraw, Two Lanes of Freedom
Single Record of the Year
Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Darius Rucker featuring Lady Antebellum, “Wagon Wheel”
Song of the Year
“Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” – Gary Allan, Hillary Lindsey, Matthew Warren
“I Drive Your Truck” – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary
“Mama’s Broken Heart” – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
“Mine Would Be You” – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Ruttan
“Wagon Wheel” – Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor
Video of the Year
The Band Perry, “Better Dig Two”
Kacey Musgraves, “Blowin’ Smoke”
Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Carrie Underwood, “Two Black Cadillacs”
Vocal Event of the Year
Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies and Friends, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly, “Cruise” (Remix)
Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Darius Rucker featuring Lady Antebellum, “Wagon Wheel”
Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, “We Were Us”
Songwriter of the Year
Rhett Akins
Rodney Clawson
Ashley Gorley
Luke Laird
Shane McAnally
Producer of the Year
Mark Bright
Dann Huff
Michael Knox
Frank Liddell
Paul Worley
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 Player of the Year
Glen Duncan
Larry Franklin
Jim Hoke
Danny Radar
Bryan Sutton
Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Dan Dugmore
Paul Franklin
Steve Hinson
Russ Pahl
Scotty Sanders