Eric Church, Chris Stapleton Lead ACM Awards Nominees

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are the leading nominees for the 51st annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, earning five nominations apiece.

As previously reported, the nominations in six categories were revealed early Monday (Feb. 1) by Dierks Bentley during an appearance on CBS This Morning. Additional nominations were announced later in the morning by Entertainment Tonight co-host Nancy O’Dell. Song of the Year nominees will be announced at a later date.

Church scored his first ACM Entertainer of the Year nomination, as well as his third Male Vocalist of the Year nod. He is nominated for Album of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood, as well as Video of the Year for “Mr. Misunderstood” and Vocal Event of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban.

Meanwhile, Stapleton earned ACM nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, New Male Vocalist of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year (for “Hangover Tonight” with Gary Allan). He is nominated as both artist and producer in the Album of the Year category, for Traveller.

Of note in this year’s awards, the previously fan-voted Entertainer of the Year and Newcomer categories (New Male Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year, and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year) are now all incorporated into the professional membership voting process for the 51st annual ACM Awards.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Garth Brooks
• Luke Bryan
• Eric Church
• Miranda Lambert

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Dierks Bentley
• Eric Church
• Brett Eldredge
• Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Jana Kramer
• Miranda Lambert
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Joey + Rory
• Maddie & Tae

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Eli Young Band
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Brett Eldredge
• Chris Janson
• Thomas Rhett
• Chase Rice
• Chris Stapleton

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Cam
• Mickey Guyton
• RaeLynn

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
• A Thousand Horses
• Brothers Osborne
• Maddie & Tae
• Old Dominion
• Parmalee

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Label: RCA Records

• Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville

• Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

• Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Chris DeStefano, Joe London
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

• Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• “Burning House” – Cam
Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Camaron Ochs
Record Labels: Arista Nashville, RCA Records, Kravenworks

• “Buy Me A Boat” – Chris Janson
Producers: Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

• “Die A Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

• “Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• “I’m Comin’ Over” – Chris Young
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Label: RCA Nashville

• “Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt
Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
• “Biscuits” – Kacey Musgraves
Director: Mark Klasfeld
Producer: Nicole Acacio

• “Burning House” – Cam
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: Trent Hardville

• “Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
Directors: Karla Welch, Matthew Welch
Producer: Amanda Prunesti

• “Mr. Misunderstood” – Eric Church
Directors: Reid Long, John Peets
Producer: Megan Smith

• “Riser” – Dierks Bentley
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• “Hangover Tonight” – Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton
Producers: Gary Allan, Greg Droman
Record Label: MCA Nashville

• “Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild
Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Nashville

• “Raise ‘Em Up” – Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Nashville

• “Smokin’ and Drinkin’” – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town
Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

• “Wild Child” – Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter
Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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