Nominations were announced today for the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, honoring country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent. Hosted by four-time ACM Award winner Blake Shelton and reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan, the ACM Awards are produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
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 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.
Fan voting for Entertainer of the Year begins on Monday, March 24 at 3:00 PM ET/12noon PT at VoteACM.com and will close during the third hour of the LIVE broadcast. First round fan voting for New Artist of the Year Presented by Kohl’s is now open at www.VoteACM.com and www.GACTV.com/ACM and will close on Tuesday, February 4 at 3:00 PM ET/12noon PT. The final three nominees will be announced in the coming weeks and will move on to compete in the final round of voting for the New Artist category at VoteACM.com. Final round fan voting for the New Artist of the Year category begins on Monday, March 24 at 3:00 PM ET/12noon PT and will close at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on Sunday, April 6 (before the LIVE telecast begins).
Following is the list of final nominees. Winners in each of the categories, except where noted, will be presented with an Academy Of Country Music Award during the live television broadcast:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Bryan
- Miranda Lambert
- Blake Shelton
- George Strait
- Taylor Swift
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Lee Brice
- Jason Aldean
- 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 Hendrick 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)/
- 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)/
- 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 Nashville
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
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
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
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
- 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 & Kevin Freeman WFMS-FM Indianapolis, IN
- 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