NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC® AWARDS COUNTRY MUSIC’S PARTY OF THE YEAR™
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FANS WILL VOTE AGAIN FOR ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR; TOP NEW ARTIST CATEGORY FAN VOTED FOR FIRST TIME EVER; TELECAST TO AIR LIVE FROM MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS; SUNDAY, APRIL 5th AT 8:00 PM LIVE ET/ DELAYED PT ON CBS TELEVISION NETWORK
Brad Paisley leads with 6 nominations; Heidi Newfield receives 5 nominations; Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson and George Strait each receive 4 nominations; Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban each receive 3 nominations; Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Little Big Town, James Otto, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift and Sugarland each receive 2 nominations
NASHVILLE, TN (February 11, 2009) – Nominations were announced today for the 44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS a star-studded event produced for television by dick clark productions broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 5 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Nominees were announced at a press conference this morning at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville. Country Super Stars Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Jessica Simpson read the nominations live during CBS’ The Early Show broadcast.
For the first time ever, the three newcomer categories for the Annual Academy of Country Music Awards —Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group – will be opened up to interactive fan voting on GACTV.com, beginning Friday, February 13. The winners will then move on to compete in a new category, Top New Artist. For the second year, fans will also select the winner of the Academy’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year. Online voting will be available at www.voteACM.com, and this year fans will also be able to text their votes for Entertainer of the Year during the broadcast. The winners of each category will be announced live during the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
This morning Brad Paisley led with six nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. In addition, Paisley was nominated for Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “Waitin’ on a Woman,” and Vocal Event of the Year for “Start a Band” with Keith Urban. Paisley is the reigning Top Male Vocalist.
Heidi Newfield is nominated for five awards, including Top Female Vocalist. She is also nominated for Single Record of the Year and is nominated as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for “Johnny & June,” for which she is also nominated for Video of the Year.
Kenny Chesney is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and as an artist and producer for Vocal Event of the Year for “Down the Road” with Mac McAnally. If Chesney wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his fifth consecutive win, which will tie Alabama for the most consecutive wins in this category.
Jamey Johnson received four nominations, including Top New Male Vocalist, Single Record of the Year and as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for “In Color.” This is the first time Johnson has been nominated as an artist. He previously won an Academy of Country Music Award in 2006 for Song of the Year for “Give It Away,” which was recorded by George Strait.
George Strait received four nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and Song of the Year for “I Saw God Today.” He is also nominated for Video of the Year for “Troubadour.” If Strait wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his second win in that category, previously winning the award in 1989. Strait has also been named the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade and will be honored in a television special to air later in the year on CBS.
Carrie Underwood is nominated for three awards, including Entertainer of Year. If Underwood wins Entertainer of the Year, she will be only the 7th female to take the award; previous winners include Loretta Lynn in 1975, Reba McEntire in 1994 and most recently Dixie Chicks in 2000. Underwood is also nominated for Top Female Vocalist, and her video “Just a Dream” is nominated for Video of the Year. If she wins Top Female Vocalist, it will be the third consecutive year she has won the category.
Keith Urban received three nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year for his duet with Brad Paisley for “Start a Band.” Urban is a five-time ACM award winner, including Top Male Vocalist in 2004 and 2005, Album of the Year in 2004 and Top New Male Artist in 2000. If he wins Entertainer of the Year, he will be eligible for the Triple Crown Award, the Academy’s recognition of those who have taken Top New Artist, Top Artist and Entertainer of the Year awards.
Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Little Big Town, James Otto, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift and Sugarland are each nominated for two awards. Adkins is nominated for Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “You’re Gonna Miss this.” Brooks & Dunn are nominated for Top Vocal Duo and Vocal Event of the Year. If they win Top Vocal Duo, it will be their 16th straight win in the category. Little Big Town received two nominations for Top Vocal Group and Vocal Event of the Year. James Otto—a first-time nominee—is nominated for Top New Male Vocalist and as a producer for Song of the Year for “In Color.” Jake Owen is nominated for Top New Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year, and was previously nominated for Top New Male Vocalist in 2007. Swift is nominated in two categories including Top Female Vocalist, and her video “Love Story” is nominated for Video of the Year. She won Top New Female Vocalist last year. Sugarland is nominated for Top Vocal Duo and Vocal Event of the Year. Last year they won Single Record of the Year for “Stay.”
Members of the Academy of Country Music select the nominees and winners of the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, and select the final top five nominees of the Entertainer of the Year category and the top three nominees in newcomer categories, Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group. Presenters and performers who will appear at the ceremony will be announced at a later date. As previously announced, Reba McEntire will return for an unprecedented 11th time to host this year’s show.
Following is the list of final nominees; Nominees for Album of the Year will be announced in March. Winners in each of the following categories, except where noted, will be presented with an ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD during the television broadcast:
Entertainer of the Year
· Kenny Chesney
· Brad Paisley
· George Strait
· Keith Urban
· Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist
· Kenny Chesney
· Toby Keith
· Brad Paisley
· George Strait
· Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
· Miranda Lambert
· Heidi Newfield
· Taylor Swift
· Carrie Underwood
· Lee Ann Womack
Top Vocal Group
· Lady Antebellum
· Little Big Town
· Rascal Flatts
· Randy Rogers Band
· The Lost Trailers
Top Vocal Duo
· Big & Rich
· Brooks & Dunn
· 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 Vocal Duo or Group**
· Eli Young Band
· The Lost Trailers
· Zac Brown Band
Single Record of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
· Gunpowder & Lead; Miranda Lambert, Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke; Columbia
· In Color; Jamey Johnson, Produced by The Ken Hardley Playboys; Mercury
· Johnny & June; Heidi Newfield, Produced by Tony Brown; Asylum-Curb
· Waitin’ On A Woman; Brad Paisley, Produced by Frank Rogers; Arista Nashville
· You’re Gonna Miss This; Trace Adkins, Produced by Frank Rogers; Capitol Nashville
Song of the Year [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
· I Saw God Today; George Strait; Composers: Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby; Publishers: Big Red Toe Music (BMI), Blind Mule Music (BMI), Extremely Loud Music (BMI), Steel Wheels Music (BMI)
· In Color; Jamey Johnson; Composers: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto; Publishers: Big Gassed Hitties (BMI), Eldorotto Music Publishing (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc., Lucky Thumb Music (BMI), New Song of Sea Gayle (BMI), Noah’s Little Boat Music (BMI)
· Johnny & June; Heidi Newfield; Composers: Deanna Bryant, Heidi Newfield, Stephony Smith; Publishers: Amylase Music (ASCAP), Big Hit Makers Music (BMI), Rainy Graham Publishing LLC (BMI), Souljet Music Tell Texas Tune III (ASCAP)
· Waitin’ On A Woman; Brad Paisley; Composers: Don Sampson, Wynn Varble; Publishers: EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP), Sea Gayle Music LLC (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
· You’re Gonna Miss This; Trace Adkins; Composers: Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller; Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Music of Windswept (ASCAP), Noah’s Little Boat Music (BMI), Song of Combustion (ASCAP), Songs of Sea Gayle (BMI)
Video of the Year [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
· Johnny & June – Heidi Newfield; Producer: Karen Martin; Director: Eric Welch
· Just A Dream – Carrie Underwood; Producer: Randy Brewer; Director: Roman White
· Love Story – Taylor Swift; Producer: Trent Hardville; Director: Trey Fanjoy
· Troubadour – George Strait; Producer: Dominic Cancilla; Director: Trey Fanjoy
· Waitin’ On A Woman – Brad Paisley; Producer: Mark Kalbfeld, Jim Shea; Director: Jim Shea, Peter Tilden
Vocal Event of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
· Another Try – Josh Turner Featuring Trisha Yearwood; Produced by: Frank Rogers; MCA Nashville
· Cowgirls Don’t Cry – Brooks & Dunn Featuring Reba McEntire; Produced by: Kix Brooks, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn; Arista Nashville
· Down The Road – Kenny Chesney With Mac McAnally; Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney; Blue Chair/BNA
· Life In A Northern Town – Sugarland Featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen; Mercury
· Start A Band – Brad Paisley Duet With Keith Urban; Produced by: Frank Rogers; Arista Nashville
** Fan voting for Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group will begin at GACTV.com on Friday, February 13, and will close on Thursday, March 5. The winner in each of the three categories will be announced March 9, and will move on to compete in a brand new Academy of Country Music Awards category, Top New Artist.
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers, Barry Adelman is producer and Bob Bardo is executive in charge of production.
DISClaimer 2/13/09
/by Robert K OermannMercury has two excellent singles, by the Randy Rogers Band and Holly Williams. Warner Bros. Records is offering us a dandy uptempo by Jessica Harp. Columbia has the DisCovery Award winners, Caitlin & Will.
But at the end of the listening session, an indie walked off with the Disc of the Day prize. That would be Broken Bow with its Megan Mullins & Randy Owen duet of a dynamite Dolly Parton tune.
MAIDEN TEXAS/Don’t You
Writer: Johnny Edward Pierce/Otha Young; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Oh the Music/Sony-ATV Tree; Maiden Texas (817-283-7984)
—This Dallas-Ft. Worth trio is composed of Stephanie Mulder, Krista Hughes and DeAnna Edwards. Their revival of this 1989 Forester Sisters single has sprightly energy and flawless three-part harmony throughout. A winner.
RANDY ROGERS BAND/Buy Myself A Chance
Writer: Randy Rogers/Sean McConnell; Producer: Radney Foster; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Lonely Motel/WBM, BMI/SESAC; Mercury Nashville (CDX)
—The gently loping rhythm and spare instrumental work throw the spotlight on the country-soulful, slightly raspy lead vocal. The hillbilly boy trying to hit on someone else’s dance partner is completely sweet and believable. Whether for this outfit or somebody else, this is a hit song.
CAITLIN & WILL/Even Now
Writer: Casey Beathard/Karen Rochelle; Producer: Chris Lindsey; Publisher: none listed; Columbia (CDX)
—They both sing splendidly, and the pristine production is marvelously supportive on this lovelorn little slice of heartache. Well worth your attention.
MEGAN MULLINS & RANDY OWEN/Holding Everything
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: John Rich & Sean Pennington; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; BBR (CDX)
—From production to songwriting, this has pedigree credentials. The prodigiously gifted Miss Mullins more than holds her own with her Country Music Hall of Fame duet partner. The heartbeat thump in the track is goose-bump inducing. And the song is a thing of perfect wonder.
HOLLY WILLIAMS/Keep The Change
Writer: Hillary Lindsey/Luke Laird; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publisher: Raylene/BPJ/Universal-Careers/High Powered Machine, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury Nashville
—By far her finest vocal performance on disc to date. There’s passion and personality in this that she hasn’t displayed before. Her sister has co-written a dandy kiss-off tune, and Niebank’s production has just enough raggedy rock edge to keep your ears perked up. I’m in.
SHELLEY LYNCH/You Can’t Look Back
Writer: Shelley Lynch; Producer: Shelley Lynch & Les Bolen; Publisher: Lynch, ASCAP/SOCAN; Lynch (CDX) (www.shelleylynch.net)
—The echo is laid on just a little too thick. The verse lyrics are a mite wordy. And the high-end in her vocal is a kinda weak.
JESSICA HARP/Boy Like Me
Writer: Jerry Flowers; Producer: Jerry Flowers; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/JFLO, BMI; Warner Bros.
—Former Wreckers member Harp has a snappy solo outing. The rocking rhythm and cool repeated guitar riff back a sassy lyric about finding a guy who’s just like her, right down to the drinkin’ and makin’ love parts. She wails it. Solid work.
NATASHA JAMES/Tequila Time
Writer: Natasha James; Producer: Natasha James & Ronnie Rivera; Publisher: 40 Miles of Road, ASCAP; Highway One (www.natashajames.com)
—This comes to us from California, where apparently they record in cardboard shipping crates.
BYRON HILL/Stay A While
Writer: Byron Hill/Jennifer Schott; Producer: Byron Hill; Publisher: Byron Hill/Sony-ATV Tree, ASCAP/BMI; BHP (track) (www.byronhillmusic.com)
—I love Nashville songwriter albums. Byron’s is a 12-tune dandy showcasing his burnished baritone in wonderfully produced tracks. The title tune is a gentle, winning, mid-tempo invitation to romance that’s as warm as a hearth. Over the years, he’s won 10 ASCAP Awards and had more than 575 cuts. “Fool Hearted Memory,” “Nothing On But The Radio,” “Pickin’ Up Strangers,” “Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous,” “Born Country” and “Size Matters” are all in his vast catalog. So the man knows what he’s doing. Highly recommended.
BEN KWELLER/Homeward Bound
Writer: Jemima James/Michael Mason; Producer: Ben Kweller; Publisher: none listed, BMI; ATO (track)
—Austin resident Kweller wrote all the tunes on his Changing Horses CD except this set-closing ballad. It’s about a lost soul heading for the other side. His cracked delivery and the funeral-march rhythm are both deeply affecting. Check him out.
TV Goes Country With Cable Guy Roast, New “Crossroads”
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Others getting tube time next month include Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson who are the latest pairing for CMT Crossroads. The show, where artists sing their own songs as well as each other’s, will tape before an invitation only audience in Nashville later this month and premiere Mon., March 23 at 9 PM/CT on CMT.
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Also at CMT, the network is planning season two of its original singing competition Can You Duet. An open casting call will be March 7 at the Wildhorse Saloon. Doors open at 8 AM. For up-to-date casting information and instructions for sending in a video tape submission, visit www.canyouduet.com.
McBride Takes Fresh Approach To New Release
/by Sarah SkatesThe album title comes from lyrics on three different tracks, including “I Just Call You Mine,” “Sunny Side Up” (written by McBride and the Warren Brothers) and the first single “Ride.” With top tunesmiths like Tom Shapiro, Darrell Scott, Neil Thrasher, and Hillary Lindsey contributing tracks, the songs on Shine share McBride’s signature uplifting messages, but with a new twist.
To date, McBride has sold 18 million albums, charted 22 Top 10 singles, and scored six No. 1s.
Is Fan Voting The Future? ACM Enlists Fans To Validate Industry Choices
/by bossrossSo what is the case for and against fan voting? Years ago, there was no practical way to reach and tabulate votes from millions of fans in a short time. Today’s new media encourages a one-on-one relationship which makes voting easy and has the added benefit of possibly continuing the dialog with each fan during the year. Awards shows and networks are also dedicated to winning the ratings wars, so it makes sense to find out directly from the fans who they consider entertaining and will tune in to watch. It also seems reasonable to assert that regardless of the purity of the process or safeguards taken, industry voters will stretch to affirm their vested interests.
To balance these issues, ACM has chosen to rely on industry experts to do the heavy lifting and choose the final nominees. “We use our official membership to vette the new talents and ultimately put forth what we the industry feel are the five best nominees in each category,” says ACM Executive Director Bob Romeo. “When that process is done correctly, then one could assume that if we ask the fans to weigh in at that point we would be happy regardless of which of the five acts were to win. The process builds on industry wisdom and then gives the fans a chance to engage.”
After successfully experimenting with fan voting for its Entertainer category last year, this year ACM will introduce three fan-voted New Artist categories—Top New Male, Female and Vocal Duo/Group. A winner from each category will then be entered into the Top New Artist race, again voted upon by the fans.
Unfortunately, while plans were being set for these New Artist honors, an issue arose over the album category. Part of the ACM Best Album criteria required a nominee to have sold over 300,000 units. This year that meant cutting the list of final noms severely. “We were focused on the newcomer awards and album criteria became an oversight,” explains Romeo. “Our board voted to drop the 300,000 sales requirement for this year. We have a mechanism set up for industry to redo the balloting process so we will have our final five in time for the final ballots.”
Is fan voting the future? “I believe my board would be open to additional fan voting ideas,” says Romeo. “But one step at a time. We’re going to validate it again this year, plus open up the Entertainer vote to text voting. So Entertainer ballots will be cast via online and text. If it goes as well as it did last year and we engage even more people—they are telling me that adding text could engage multiple millions more—I’m sure our board will be interested to see those numbers. If it was only up to me I’d be pushing to let the membership shape the final ballot and then have the fans weigh in on every category. You can say what you want about last year, but it was an exciting race. All five of the Entertainer noms knew the outcome wasn’t in the hands of any politics, it was controlled by the fans. When it was all done, the fans validated Kenny Chesney.”
Last year’s ACM show, with fan voting, drew 11.7 million viewers, an increase of 26% from the previous year. Other Awards shows (and their networks) will surely be watching CBS this April 5, to see if ratcheting up the engagement and interactivity continues to bring glad viewership tidings. If it does, one could bet that knocking sound will be the other networks demanding more of the same.
Investigation Launches For Live Nation/Ticketmaster Merger
/by Sarah SkatesThe Justice Department has begun an antitrust investigation into the proposed Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger. Many lawmakers, fans and artists believe that combining the two huge companies would result in unfair competition, giving one powerhouse too much control over the live entertainment industry.
The federal agency is moving forward with the inquiry after only one day, even though it had up to 30 days to decide whether or not to investigate. Wired.com points out that a Justice Department inquiry—which could take about six months—is often more strict than one by the Federal Trade Commission.
Bentley Lands At No. 1; Plus Latest Country Certifications
/by Sarah SkatesThe lead single and title track recently finished a multi-week run at the pinnacle of MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart. Catch Bentley tonight (2/11), performing “Life On The Run” on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He follows that with a two-week Canadian run with Brad Paisley through the end of February.
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Sugarland was in Los Angeles rehearsing for the Grammys last week when the duo was surprised with Platinum plaques for their latest album Love On The Inside, released in July 2008. The Mercury Nashville pair captured their first Grammy Sunday night for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for “Stay.” Nettles also won Best Country Song for the self-penned hit which has garnered ACM, CMA and CMT awards, and sold over 980,000 digital copies. The duo’s next single will be “It Happens.”
(L-R): Manager Gail Gellman, Kristian Bush, Jennifer Nettles, NARAS Pres. Neil Portnow
Adkins Onboard With Opry’s New Ad Campaign
/by Sarah SkatesAdkins also serves as the voice of the campaign’s television and radio commercials which invite fans to “See The Show That Made Country Music Famous.” The spots launch this week and can be found along with print treatments beginning today (2/11) at opry.com.
Rimes To Receive ACM Humanitarian Honor
/by Sarah SkatesLeAnn Rimes will be the 2009 recipient of the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award, to be presented during the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 5.
During her career, she has served as the International Spokesperson for Children’s Miracle Network, supported Camp C.O.P.E. for children of wounded veterans, and partnered with Kellogg’s to aid disabled veterans. She also financed construction of the LeAnn Rimes Adventure Gym at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville and is a supporter of the Nashville Humane Association.
As the recipient of the Humanitarian Award, Rimes will receive a beautiful crystal trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. during the ACM Awards live telecast on CBS. She will also be honored with a playground donated by The Home Depot and their national nonprofit partner KaBOOM! in the city of her choice.
ACM Off-Camera Nominations
/by Sarah SkatesON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL
Blair Garner, After MidNite with Blair Garner
Crook & Chase, Crook and Chase Countdown
Danny Wright, Danny Wright All Night
Lon Helton, Country Countdown USA
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
KEEY‐FM (Minneapolis, MN) Donna Valentine, Muss and Fish
KSCS‐FM (Arlington, TX) Dorsey Gang
KSON‐FM (San Diego, CA) Cliff & Company: Cliff, Morgan, Tanner and Tori
KYGO‐FM (Greenwood Village, CO) Kelly Ford & Mudflap McGrew with Ed Greene
WIL‐FM (St. Louis, MO) The Cornbread Show featuring Cornbread, Pat James, Producer Annie, Captain Mac Douglas & Father Harry Shroeder
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
WFMS‐FM (Indianapolis, IN) JD Cannon
WFMS‐FM (Indianapolis, IN) Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & Kevin Freeman
WMIL‐FM (Greenfield, WI) Karen, Scott & Radar ‐ The Moo Crew
WTQR‐FM (Greensboro, NC) Jeff Roper & Angie Ward
WUBE‐FM (Cincinnati, OH) Chris Carr & Amanda Orlando
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
WBBS‐FM (Syracuse, NY) Tom and Becky ‐ B104.7 Morning Show
WBCT‐FM (Grand Rapids, MI) The Electric Barnyard with Broadway (and Crawl)
KFDI‐FM (Wichita, KS) Brian Pierce & Kellie Michaels
WIVK‐FM (Knoxville, TN) Gunner
WIVK‐FM (Knoxville, TN) Andy Ritchie, Alison West, Jimmy Holt
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
KUAD‐FM (Windsor, CO) Brian Gary and Todd Harding (The Good Morning Guys)
WCTY‐FM (Norwich, CT) Jimmy Lane and Shelly Martinez
WFYR‐FM (Peoria, IL) Rick Stephenson & Lisa Franks
WOKQ‐FM (Dover, NH) Mark & Danielle
WYCT‐FM (Pensacola, FL) Brent Lane and Dana Cervantes
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
KMPS‐FM (Seattle, WA) Today’s Country
KYGO‐FM (Greenwood Village, CO) Denver’s #1 For New Country
WKLB‐FM (Boston, MA) Country 102.5
WQYK‐FM (St. Petersburg, FL) Tampa Bay’s Country Station
WSOC‐FM (Charlotte, NC) Charlotte’s # 1 Country
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
WFMS‐FM (Indianapolis, IN) The Country Station
WMIL‐FM (Greenfield, WI) Continuous Country Favorites of Yesterday and Today
WQDR‐FM (Raleigh, NC) Today’s Best Country
WSIX‐FM (Nashville, TN) The Big 98 WSIX
WUBE‐FM (Cincinnati, OH) Cincinnati’s Country!
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
KFDI‐FM (Wichita, KS) Today’s KFDI
KUZZ AM/FM (Bakersfield, CA) Bakersfield’s Best Country
WGNA‐FM (Schenectady, NY) Country 107.7
WIVK‐FM (Knoxville, TN) Today’s Best Music and the All‐Time Country Legends
WYRK‐FM (Buffalo, NY) Today’s Country & Your All Time Favorites
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
WFYR‐FM (Peoria, IL) River Country
WKXC‐FM (Augusta, GA) Number One for New Country and More Variety
WXCL‐FM (Peoria, IL) Number One For New Country
WXXQ‐FM (Rockford, IL) Rockford’s Country
WYCT‐FM (Pensacola, FL) Cat Country
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Buddy Cannon
Dann Huff
Frank Rogers
Nathan Chapman
Tony Brown
AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Chuck Ainlay
Greg Droman
John Kelton
Mills Logan
Steve Marcantonio
TOP BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dave Hungate
Glenn Worf
Jimmie Lee Sloas
Larry Paxton
Mike Brignardello
TOP PERCUSSIONIST/DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Chad Cromwell
Eddie Bayers
Greg Morrow
Lonnie Wilson
Paul Leim
TOP FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Aubrey Haynie
Joe Spivey
Jonathan Yudkin
Larry Franklin
Rob Hajacos
TOP GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
Brett Mason
Bryan Sutton
J.T. Corenflos
Kenny Greenberg
Tom Bukovac
TOP PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Gordon Mote
John Hobbs
John Jarvis
Steve Nathan
Tony Harrell
TOP SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Eric Darken
Ilya Toshinsky
Jelly Roll Johnson
Randy Kohrs
Rob Ickes
TOP STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bruce Bouton
Dan Dugmore
Mike Johnson
Russ Pahl
Steve Hinson
VENUE OF THE YEAR
DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI
Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion – Gilford, NH
The Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC
Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre – Virginia Beach, VA
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA
Coyote Joe’s – Charlotte, NC
Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL
The Grizzly Rose – Denver, CO
Wild Bill’s – Duluth, GA
CASINO OF THE YEAR
Casino Rama – Orillia, Ontario
Chumash Casino – Santa Ynez, CA
Mystic Lake – Minneapolis, MN
The Peppermill Resorts at Wendover – West Wendover, NV
Turning Stone Casino – Verona, NY
DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
David Snowden – Triangle Talent
Fran Romeo – Romeo Entertainment
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents
Suzanne Wilson – Wilson Events
Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Ben Farrell – Varnell Enterprises
Darin Lashinsky – Outback Concerts
Gary Weinberger – Red Mountain Entertainment
Louis Messina – The Messina Group
Steve Moore – AEGLive
ACM Nominations Announced
/by bossrossNOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC® AWARDS COUNTRY MUSIC’S PARTY OF THE YEAR™
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FANS WILL VOTE AGAIN FOR ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR; TOP NEW ARTIST CATEGORY FAN VOTED FOR FIRST TIME EVER; TELECAST TO AIR LIVE FROM MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS; SUNDAY, APRIL 5th AT 8:00 PM LIVE ET/ DELAYED PT ON CBS TELEVISION NETWORK
Brad Paisley leads with 6 nominations; Heidi Newfield receives 5 nominations; Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson and George Strait each receive 4 nominations; Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban each receive 3 nominations; Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Little Big Town, James Otto, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift and Sugarland each receive 2 nominations
NASHVILLE, TN (February 11, 2009) – Nominations were announced today for the 44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS a star-studded event produced for television by dick clark productions broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 5 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Nominees were announced at a press conference this morning at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville. Country Super Stars Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Jessica Simpson read the nominations live during CBS’ The Early Show broadcast.
For the first time ever, the three newcomer categories for the Annual Academy of Country Music Awards —Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group – will be opened up to interactive fan voting on GACTV.com, beginning Friday, February 13. The winners will then move on to compete in a new category, Top New Artist. For the second year, fans will also select the winner of the Academy’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year. Online voting will be available at www.voteACM.com, and this year fans will also be able to text their votes for Entertainer of the Year during the broadcast. The winners of each category will be announced live during the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
This morning Brad Paisley led with six nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. In addition, Paisley was nominated for Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “Waitin’ on a Woman,” and Vocal Event of the Year for “Start a Band” with Keith Urban. Paisley is the reigning Top Male Vocalist.
Heidi Newfield is nominated for five awards, including Top Female Vocalist. She is also nominated for Single Record of the Year and is nominated as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for “Johnny & June,” for which she is also nominated for Video of the Year.
Kenny Chesney is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and as an artist and producer for Vocal Event of the Year for “Down the Road” with Mac McAnally. If Chesney wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his fifth consecutive win, which will tie Alabama for the most consecutive wins in this category.
Jamey Johnson received four nominations, including Top New Male Vocalist, Single Record of the Year and as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for “In Color.” This is the first time Johnson has been nominated as an artist. He previously won an Academy of Country Music Award in 2006 for Song of the Year for “Give It Away,” which was recorded by George Strait.
George Strait received four nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and Song of the Year for “I Saw God Today.” He is also nominated for Video of the Year for “Troubadour.” If Strait wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his second win in that category, previously winning the award in 1989. Strait has also been named the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade and will be honored in a television special to air later in the year on CBS.
Carrie Underwood is nominated for three awards, including Entertainer of Year. If Underwood wins Entertainer of the Year, she will be only the 7th female to take the award; previous winners include Loretta Lynn in 1975, Reba McEntire in 1994 and most recently Dixie Chicks in 2000. Underwood is also nominated for Top Female Vocalist, and her video “Just a Dream” is nominated for Video of the Year. If she wins Top Female Vocalist, it will be the third consecutive year she has won the category.
Keith Urban received three nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year for his duet with Brad Paisley for “Start a Band.” Urban is a five-time ACM award winner, including Top Male Vocalist in 2004 and 2005, Album of the Year in 2004 and Top New Male Artist in 2000. If he wins Entertainer of the Year, he will be eligible for the Triple Crown Award, the Academy’s recognition of those who have taken Top New Artist, Top Artist and Entertainer of the Year awards.
Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Little Big Town, James Otto, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift and Sugarland are each nominated for two awards. Adkins is nominated for Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “You’re Gonna Miss this.” Brooks & Dunn are nominated for Top Vocal Duo and Vocal Event of the Year. If they win Top Vocal Duo, it will be their 16th straight win in the category. Little Big Town received two nominations for Top Vocal Group and Vocal Event of the Year. James Otto—a first-time nominee—is nominated for Top New Male Vocalist and as a producer for Song of the Year for “In Color.” Jake Owen is nominated for Top New Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year, and was previously nominated for Top New Male Vocalist in 2007. Swift is nominated in two categories including Top Female Vocalist, and her video “Love Story” is nominated for Video of the Year. She won Top New Female Vocalist last year. Sugarland is nominated for Top Vocal Duo and Vocal Event of the Year. Last year they won Single Record of the Year for “Stay.”
Members of the Academy of Country Music select the nominees and winners of the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, and select the final top five nominees of the Entertainer of the Year category and the top three nominees in newcomer categories, Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group. Presenters and performers who will appear at the ceremony will be announced at a later date. As previously announced, Reba McEntire will return for an unprecedented 11th time to host this year’s show.
Following is the list of final nominees; Nominees for Album of the Year will be announced in March. Winners in each of the following categories, except where noted, will be presented with an ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD during the television broadcast:
Entertainer of the Year
· Kenny Chesney
· Brad Paisley
· George Strait
· Keith Urban
· Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist
· Kenny Chesney
· Toby Keith
· Brad Paisley
· George Strait
· Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
· Miranda Lambert
· Heidi Newfield
· Taylor Swift
· Carrie Underwood
· Lee Ann Womack
Top Vocal Group
· Lady Antebellum
· Little Big Town
· Rascal Flatts
· Randy Rogers Band
· The Lost Trailers
Top Vocal Duo
· Big & Rich
· Brooks & Dunn
· 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 Vocal Duo or Group**
· Eli Young Band
· The Lost Trailers
· Zac Brown Band
Single Record of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
· Gunpowder & Lead; Miranda Lambert, Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke; Columbia
· In Color; Jamey Johnson, Produced by The Ken Hardley Playboys; Mercury
· Johnny & June; Heidi Newfield, Produced by Tony Brown; Asylum-Curb
· Waitin’ On A Woman; Brad Paisley, Produced by Frank Rogers; Arista Nashville
· You’re Gonna Miss This; Trace Adkins, Produced by Frank Rogers; Capitol Nashville
Song of the Year [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
· I Saw God Today; George Strait; Composers: Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby; Publishers: Big Red Toe Music (BMI), Blind Mule Music (BMI), Extremely Loud Music (BMI), Steel Wheels Music (BMI)
· In Color; Jamey Johnson; Composers: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto; Publishers: Big Gassed Hitties (BMI), Eldorotto Music Publishing (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc., Lucky Thumb Music (BMI), New Song of Sea Gayle (BMI), Noah’s Little Boat Music (BMI)
· Johnny & June; Heidi Newfield; Composers: Deanna Bryant, Heidi Newfield, Stephony Smith; Publishers: Amylase Music (ASCAP), Big Hit Makers Music (BMI), Rainy Graham Publishing LLC (BMI), Souljet Music Tell Texas Tune III (ASCAP)
· Waitin’ On A Woman; Brad Paisley; Composers: Don Sampson, Wynn Varble; Publishers: EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP), Sea Gayle Music LLC (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
· You’re Gonna Miss This; Trace Adkins; Composers: Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller; Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Music of Windswept (ASCAP), Noah’s Little Boat Music (BMI), Song of Combustion (ASCAP), Songs of Sea Gayle (BMI)
Video of the Year [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
· Johnny & June – Heidi Newfield; Producer: Karen Martin; Director: Eric Welch
· Just A Dream – Carrie Underwood; Producer: Randy Brewer; Director: Roman White
· Love Story – Taylor Swift; Producer: Trent Hardville; Director: Trey Fanjoy
· Troubadour – George Strait; Producer: Dominic Cancilla; Director: Trey Fanjoy
· Waitin’ On A Woman – Brad Paisley; Producer: Mark Kalbfeld, Jim Shea; Director: Jim Shea, Peter Tilden
Vocal Event of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
· Another Try – Josh Turner Featuring Trisha Yearwood; Produced by: Frank Rogers; MCA Nashville
· Cowgirls Don’t Cry – Brooks & Dunn Featuring Reba McEntire; Produced by: Kix Brooks, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn; Arista Nashville
· Down The Road – Kenny Chesney With Mac McAnally; Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney; Blue Chair/BNA
· Life In A Northern Town – Sugarland Featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen; Mercury
· Start A Band – Brad Paisley Duet With Keith Urban; Produced by: Frank Rogers; Arista Nashville
** Fan voting for Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group will begin at GACTV.com on Friday, February 13, and will close on Thursday, March 5. The winner in each of the three categories will be announced March 9, and will move on to compete in a brand new Academy of Country Music Awards category, Top New Artist.
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers, Barry Adelman is producer and Bob Bardo is executive in charge of production.