52nd ACM Awards Nominations Announcement

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE “52^ND ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™,”

TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON CBS, SUNDAY, APRIL 2 FROM T-MOBILE ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

LUKE BRYAN AND DIERKS BENTLEY RETURN TO HOST COUNTRY MUSIC’S PARTY OF THE YEAR®

Keith Urban Leads with Seven Nominations;
Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris Each Receive Six Nominations;
Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw Each Receive Five Nominations;
Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton Each Receive Three Nominations

ENCINO, CA – Nominations were announced today for the 52^ND ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, honoring country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent.Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will return to host for the second consecutive year. The ACM Awards® are produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2 (live 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Ten-time ACM Award winners and multi-platinum trio Lady Antebellum announced the nominees in five categories, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, and Vocal Group of the Year live today on “CBS This Morning.” “Entertainment Tonight” hosts Nancy O’Dell and Kevin Frazier announced additional nominees on ETonline.com.

Keith Urban leads with seven nominations in five categories, including his seventh for Entertainer of the Year and 10^th nod for Male Vocalist of the Year. Urban is nominated twice, as both artist and producer, in the Album of the Year category for Ripcord.  He received an additional two nominations, for both artist and producer, in the Single Record of the Year category for “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” which is also nominated in the Song of the Year category.

Seven-time Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert received six nominations and is once again nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year category.  Lambert received her fifth nomination in the Album of the Year category for The Weight of These Wings. Lambert’s “Vice” received nods in the Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year categories.  Also, she received two nominations for “Vice” in the Song of the Year category, as both artist and songwriter.

First-time ACM nominee Maren Morris earned six nominations in four different categories. Morris received nominations in both Female Vocalist of the Year and New Female Vocalist of the Year categories. She is also nominated twice for Album of the Year, as both producer and artist, on HERO.  Morris is twice nominated as both artist and producer in Single Record of the Year for “My Church.”

Reigning Vocal Duo of the Year Florida Georgia Line leads group nominations with five nods, including their fifth nomination in the Vocal Duo of the Year category. Florida Georgia Line is also nominated for the second time in the Entertainer of the Year category. They received their second nomination in the Album of the Year category for Dig Your Roots.  Also, they received nods for Single Record of the Year for “H.O.L.Y.” and for Vocal Event of the Year for “May We All” with Tim McGraw.

Sixteen-time ACM Award winner Tim McGraw received five nominations in four categories. He earned two nominations in the Single Record of the Year category, as both artist and producer, on “Humble And Kind.” Also, McGraw is nominated in the Song of the Year and Video of the Year categories for “Humble And Kind.” In addition, he earned his 13^th nod in the Vocal Event of the Year category for “May We All” with Florida Georgia Line.

ACM Awards co-host Dierks Bentley received three nominations, including his fourth nomination in the Male Vocalist of the Year category.  Also, Bentley received his third nod in the Album of the Year category for Black, and his second nod in the Vocal Event of the Year category for “Different For Girls,” featuring Elle King.

Thomas Rhett earned three nominations, including his first in the Male Vocalist of the Year category. Also, Rhett received two nominations as artist and songwriter in the Song of the Year category for “Die A Happy Man.”  The song won Rhett an ACM Award last year in the Single Record of the Year category.

Reigning ACM Male Vocalist of the Year Chris Stapleton is nominated in three categories. Once again, Stapleton is nominated in both the Male Vocalist of the Year category, and the Song of the Year category with “Tennessee Whiskey.”  Also, Stapleton received a nod in the Video of the Year category for “Fire Away.”

Following is the list of final nominees.  The Academy of Country Music’s professional membership selects the nominees and winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Florida Georgia Line
• Carrie Underwood
• Keith Urban

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Dierks Bentley
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Big & Rich
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Eli Young Band
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE

• Kane Brown
• Chris Janson
• Chris Lane
• Jon Pardi
• Brett Young

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE

• Lauren Alaina
• Cam
• Brandy Clark
• Maren Morris

* four nominees only

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE

• A Thousand Horses
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Black – Dierks Bentley
  Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
  Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Dig Your Roots – Florida Georgia Line
  Producer: Joey Moi
  Record Label: Big Machine Label Group 

• HERO – Maren Morris
  Producers: busbee, Brad Hill, Maren Morris
  Record Label: Columbia Nashville

• Ripcord – Keith Urban
  Producers: Jeff Bhasker, busbee, Nathan Chapman, Nitzan Kaikov, Dann Huff, Tyler Johnson, Johnny Price, Nile Rodgers, Keith Urban, Greg Wells
  Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville

• The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert
  Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
  Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Blue Ain’t Your Color – Keith Urban
  Producers: Dann Huff, Keith Urban
  Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville

• H.O.L.Y. – Florida Georgia Line
  Producer: Joey Moi
  Record Label: Big Machine Label Group

• Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
  Record Labels: McGraw Music, Big Machine Records

• My Church – Maren Morris
  Producers: busbee, Maren Morris
  Record Label: Columbia Nashville

• Vice – Miranda Lambert
  Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
  Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

• Blue Ain’t Your Color – Keith Urban
  Songwriters: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen
  Publishers: WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Music Of The Corn (ASCAP), HillarodyRathbone Music (ASCAP), BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP), House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Spirit Catalog Holdings (S.a.r.l.), Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP)

• Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
  Songwriters: Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur
  Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc (BMI), Cricket On The Line (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI), Eastman Pond Publishing (BMI), Music of Big Deal (BMI), Nice Life (BMI), Frederic And Reid Music (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI), Brodsky Spensive Publishing (BMI)

• Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  Songwriter: Lori McKenna
  Publishers: Songs of Universal Inc (BMI), Hoodie Songs (BMI)

• Kill A Word – Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens
  Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde
  Publishers: Emileon Songs (BMI), Little Louder Songs (BMI), Longer And Louder Music (BMI), Mammaw’s Fried Okra Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI)

• Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
  Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Linda Hargrove
  Publishers: Universal-Songs Of PolyGram International (BMI), EMI Algee (BMI)

• Vice – Miranda Lambert
  Songwriters: Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
  Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Smack Hits (GMR), Kobalt Music Group, Ltd. (GMR), Anderson Fork In The Road Music (ASCAP), Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. (ASCAP), Smackville Music (ASCAP)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY XFINITY [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

• Fire Away – Chris Stapleton
  Director: Tim Mattia
  Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

• Forever Country – Artists of Then, Now & Forever
  Director: Joseph Kahn
  Producers: Nathan de la Rionda, Jil Hardin, Charleen Manca, Joanna Carter, Chandra LaPlume, Sarah Trahern,     Damon Whiteside

• Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  Director: Wes Edwards
  Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

• Peter Pan – Kelsea Ballerini
  Director: Kristin Barlowe
  Producer: Michelle Abnet

• Vice – Miranda Lambert
  Director: Trey Fanjoy
  Producer: Ashley Bergeron Ford

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)

• Ashley Gorley
• Luke Laird
• Hillary Lindsey
• Shane McAnally
• Lori McKenna

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Different For Girls – Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King
  Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
  Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Forever Country – Artists of Then, Now & Forever
  Producer: Shane McAnally
  Record Label: MCA Nashville

• May We All – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw
  Producer: Joey Moi
  Record Label: Big Machine Label Group

• Setting The World On Fire – Kenny Chesney Featuring P!nk
  Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
  Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville

• Think Of You – Chris Young Featuring Cassadee Pope
  Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
  Record Labels: RCA Nashville, RCA Records

  RADIO AWARDS – The following previously announced radio awards will be presented during the ACM Party for a Cause® event at The Joint on Saturday, April 1 in Las Vegas, NV.

   NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 

  ·         Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas, Carsen                         The Big D and Bubba Show
  ·         Cody Alan                                                                           CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan
  ·         Kix Brooks                                                                          American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
  ·         Lon Helton                                                                         Country Countdown USA
  ·         Tracy Lawrence                                                                 Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence

  ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET

  ·         Chris & Nina                                                                                  KMLE-FM                            Phoenix, AZ
  ·         George, Mo & Cowboy Dave                                                      KILT-FM                               Houston, TX
  ·         Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, Geof Knight                                 WKKT-FM                            Charlotte, NC
  ·         Rob & Linda Show – Rob Stone & Linda Lee                          WYCD-FM                           Southfield, MI
  ·         Tanner in the Morning                                                                WSOC-FM                           Charlotte, NC

  ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET (tie within category increased nominees)

  ·         Ally & Andy                                                                                     WDSY-FM                            Pittsburgh, PA
  ·         Big Dave, Chelsie and Statt                                                          WUBE-FM                           Cincinnati, OH
  ·         Dave O’Brien                                                                                  WLHK-FM                            Indianapolis, IN
  ·         Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & Kevin Freeman               WFMS-FM                          Indianapolis, IN
  ·         Marty McFly                                                                                    WSM-FM                             Nashville, TN
  ·         Q Morning Crew – Mike, Marty and Janie                                 WQDR-FM                          Raleigh, NC

  ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

  ·         Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer, Jimmy Holt                                   WIVK-FM                            Knoxville, TN
  ·         Jack Ryan                                                                                            WMYL-FM                           Clinton, TN
  ·         Scott Wynn & Sarah Kay                                                                 WQMX-FM                         Akron, OH
  ·         Steve & Geoff                                                                                     KUZZ-FM                            Bakersfield, CA
  ·         Steve & Gina in the Morning on Kat 103.7                                    KXKT-FM                             Omaha, NE

  ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

  ·         Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews                                                   WCOW-FM                         Sparta, WI
  ·         Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton                                               WYCT-FM                            Pensacola, FL
  ·         Jason and Ashley “The Q Crew” on Q100.3                           KRWQ-FM                           Medford, OR
  ·         Scotty Cox & Cara Denis                                                             KCLR-FM                              Columbia, MO
  ·         The Roger & Carly Morning Show                                            KORA-FM                            Bryan, TX

  RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET (tie within category increased nominees)

  ·         KKBQ-FM                            Houston, TX
  ·         KMLE-FM                            Phoenix, AZ
  ·         KUPL-FM                             Portland, OR
  ·         WIL-FM                               St. Louis, MO
  ·         WKKT-FM                           Charlotte, NC
  ·         WSOC-FM                           Charlotte, NC

   RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET

  ·         KAJA-FM                             San Antonio, TX
  ·         WQDR-FM                          Raleigh, NC
  ·         WSIX-FM                             Nashville, TN
  ·         WSM-FM                             Nashville, TN
  ·         WUBE-FM                           Cincinnati, OH

   RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

  ·         CKRY-FM                             Calgary, AB
  ·         KAWO-FM                          Boise, ID
  ·         KUZZ-FM                             Bakersfield, CA
  ·         KXKT-FM                             Omaha, NE
  ·         WIVK-FM                            Knoxville, TN

  RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

  ·         KCLR-FM                              Columbia, MO
  ·         KKNU-FM                            Eugene, OR
  ·         KTHK-FM                             Idaho Falls, ID
  ·         WCOW-FM                         Sparta, WI
  ·         WXFL-FM                            Florence, AL