Mark your calender for April 5th, that’s the night that the Academy of Country Music will be televising their award show and the list is out of the nominees. No surprise that Brad Paisley is leading the way with six nominations. Heidi Newfield, former lead singer of Trick Pony now a solo act, was a bit of surprise with four nominations with her first solo release.

Also, an annoucement has been made that the ACMs are partnering with GAC to let the fans vote for the winners in the New Artist categories. These awards will actually be presented to the winners of each category on March 10th in a special on GAC hosted by Sara Evans. Then the winner in each category will be put into the new category of Top Artist with that award being presented on the awards show on April 5th.

Reba is back as host for this years show and she always makes it interesting. Kenny Chesney is up for Entertainer of the Year again after winning it the last few years, will the Academy present him with the award after he voiced his displeasure of having the award voted on by the fans last year? It should make for an exciting show. Carrie Underwood is up for the same award and this listener has to wonder if she is actually deserving of being in the category considering how new she is to the genre. She is up against some superstars, so we shall see what happens.

Entertainer of the Year

Kenny Chesney (2008 Winner)
Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
George Strait
Keith Urban

Top Male Vocalist

Toby Keith
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley (2008 Winner)
George Strait
Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist

Miranda Lambert
Lee Ann Womack
Heidi Newfield
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood (2008 Winner)

Top Vocal Group

Lady Antebellum
Randy Rogers Band
The Lost Trailers
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts (2008 Winner)


Top Vocal Duo

Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn (2008 Winner)
Joey & Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland

Top New Male Vocalist

Jamey Johnson
James Otto
Jake Owen

Top New Female Vocalist

Sarah Buxton
Julianne Hough
Ashton Shepherd

Top New Duo or Vocal Group

Eli Young Band
The Lost Trailers
Zac Brown Band

Single Record Of The Year

You’re Gonna Miss This -Trace Adkins
Gunpowder & Lead - Miranda Lambert
In Color - Jamey Johnson
Johnny & June - Heidi Newfield
Waitin’ On a Woman - Brad Paisley

Song Of The Year

I Saw God Today - George Strait
In Color - Jamey Johnson
Johnny & June - Heidi Newfield
Waitin’ On a Woman - Brad Paisley
You’re Gonna Miss This -Trace Adkins

Video Of TheYear

Johnny & June - Heidi Newfield
Just A Dream - Carrie Underwood
Love Story -Taylor Swift
Troubadour - George Strait
Waitin’ On a Woman - Brad Paisley

Vocal Event Of The Year

Another Try -Josh Turner w/Trisha Yearwood
Cowgirls Don’t Cry -Brooks & Dunn w/Reba McEntire
Down the Road - Kenny Chesney w/Mac McAnally
Life In a Northern Town -Sugarland w/Jake Owen & Little Big Town
Start A Band - Brad Paisley w/Keith Urban