ACM Reveals Newcomer Nominees

The Academy of Country Music continues to refine its hybrid voting which polls both fans and industry professionals. For the organization’s 46th Annual Country Music Awards—slated for April 3, 2011—Newcomer categories will again be opened up to fan voting through VoteACM.com and GACtv.com/ACM. This is the third year that ACM and Great American Country have partnered to help fans to participate in the final decision for Top New Artists. Also new this year is the consolidation of the Vocal Duo and Vocal Group categories into one category named, Top New Vocal Duo or Group.
Nominees in the two categories [see below] are chosen by the ACM professional members. Winners are then decided by online voting open to both fans and professionals. The winners will then compete for Top New Artist. A complete list of ACM nominees will be announced in February.
GAC will create several stand-alone specials, including a show featuring all the nominees from the two Top New categories. “ACM Showcase,” hosted by Luke Bryan, will feature all six nominees, three from each of the two newcomer categories, and will premiere Jan. 27 at 10:00 PM ET. Another show featuring the winners who will compete for the Top New Artist honor is also planned.
Voting Schedules
Fan voting, on both sites, opens on Jan. 27 and closes Feb. 24, at 9 am PST. The winner in each category will be announced in March and then move on to compete for Top New Artist.
Voting for Top New Artist begins March 11 and closes on April 3. The winner will be announced live on the TV broadcast.
NEWCOMER AWARD CATEGORIES
Top New Solo Vocalist
Eric Church
Easton Corbin
Randy Houser
Top New Vocal Duo Or Group
The Band Perry
The JaneDear Girls
Steel Magnolia