ACM's Bob Romeo Comments On Justin Moore's ACM Nomination

As previously reported, the Academy of Country Music and Country fans have narrowed down the nominees for the fan-voted New Artist of the Year to three finalists: Justin Moore, Kip Moore and Brett Eldredge.
To clarify Valory Music Co. artist Justin Moore’s inclusion as a New Artist of the Year finalist, the ACM offers additional information regarding the selection process in this category.
ACM’s New Artist of the Year criteria includes, “Any solo artist that has sold 500,000 copies of a previously released album… according to Nielsen Soundscan, are not eligible for this category.” While Eldredge and Kip Moore qualify under this criteria, Justin Moore has sold more than 500,000 units of each of his first two albums, 2009’s Justin Moore, and 2011’s Outlaws Like Me.
According to the ACM’s CEO Bob Romeo, the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors (which consists of 70 seasoned Country music industry professionals) discussed the stipulation with regard to Moore, and determined that including him as an eligible artist in the New Artist category would be more in the spirit of the New Artist of the Year Award, than excluding him would have been.

“The Academy of Country Music Board of Directors – which I have been a part of for 25+ years – has a long history of supporting new country music acts,” Bob Romeo says. “The Board finds that being in step with trends and acknowledging the country music landscape has improved our process and guaranteed the best candidates over the years. This decision is in line with our criteria, and the Board’s right to be flexible in our efforts to be inclusive vs. exclusive of a young artist who has had budding success. We have to remember that Justin is a new face to mainstream music fans, media, and the like. He has earned this nomination and we congratulate him and all ACM Award nominees, and look forward to celebrating their work at the Awards in April.”

The Academy of Country Music general criteria states, “The criteria and voting procedures are set forth by the ACM Board of Directors in accordance with the bylaws, and may be amended from time to time as the Board deems appropriate in the best interest of Country music. Any disputes shall be resolved by the Chairman of the Board in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.”