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ACM Awards Submissions Now Open Through Jan. 3

December 2, 2019/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Submissions for the 55th ACM Awards are now open, Dec. 2, 2019-Jan. 3, 2020. Categories eligible for submissions include Main Awards, Radio Awards, Industry Awards and Video of the Year Award, in addition to updates to the Industry Awards categories. The 55th Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year, will broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 8:00 PM on CBS.

Industry Awards will now be voted on by the membership categorized in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Venue, Manager, Talent Agent and Talent Buyer/Promoter categories. Previously, the Industry Awards were voted on by all membership categories. For updates to Industry Award category names, see the full list below.

“The ACM Board, Awards and Voting Committee and the Industry Awards Task Force feel that this next step in the evolution of the Industry Awards continues to strengthen the Academy’s relationship with venues, buyers and promoters who work tirelessly to showcase the finest in country music,” said Nick Di Fruscia, VP, Awards & Membership.  “We look forward to continuing the 20+ year tradition of celebrating our industry partners.”

The submissions eligibility period for the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards is Jan. 1, 2019 through
Dec. 31, 2019. Key dates for Academy professional members for the 2020 ACM Awards cycle are as follows:

  • Submissions Period Opens:    December 2, 2019
  • Submissions Period Closes:    January 3, 2020
  • First Round Voting:                January 21, 2020 – January 27, 2020
  • Second Round Voting:            February 4, 2020 – February 10, 2020
  • Final Round Voting:                March 3, 2020 – March 9, 2020

Industry Awards Category Names and Updates:

Casino of the Year – Small Capacity – Updated to Casino of the Year – Theater
This award is presented to an outstanding theater or showroom within a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The casino theater or showroom must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Casino of the Year – Large Capacity – Updated to Casino of the Year – Arena
This award is presented to an outstanding arena or amphitheater within a casino selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The casino arena or amphitheater must have bought or promoted at least four (4) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Festival of the Year – No Change
This award is presented to an outstanding country music festival where artist(s) received market value compensation for their performance, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board.  The festival must have taken place over two (2) or more consecutive days, included a minimum of ten (10) acts, with at least ninety percent (90%) of headlining acts classed in the country genre, occurred during the eligibility period, and be in good standing with all professional vendors and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Fair/Rodeo of the Year  – NEW CATEGORY
This award is presented to an outstanding fair/rodeo where artist(s) received market value compensation for their performance, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board.  The fair/rodeo must have included a minimum of one (1) Country Music artist as a headliner, occurred during the eligibility period, and be in good standing with all professional vendors and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category. 

Nightclub of the Year – Updated to Club of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding country music club, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The club must have bought or promoted at least ten (10) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales.  The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Venue of the Year – Small Capacity – Updated to Theater of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding theater or performing arts center, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The theater/performing arts center must have bought or promoted at least ten (10) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Venue of the Year – Medium Capacity – Updated to Outdoor Venue of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding outdoor venue, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The outdoor venue must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Venue of the Year – Large Capacity – Updated to Arena of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding indoor arena, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The arena must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year – NO CHANGE
This award is presented to an outstanding talent buyer, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The buyer must have bought at least fifteen (15) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

Promoter of the Year – NO CHANGE      
This award is presented to an outstanding promoter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The promoter must have promoted at least fifteen (15) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales.  The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.

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Lorie Hollabaugh
Lorie Hollabaugh
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.
Lorie Hollabaugh
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