George Strait leads ACM nominees
Brooks & Dunn snag seven nominations, while Rascal Flatts lands six; event to take place in Las Vegas May 15.
George Strait has racked up 15 Academy of Country Music Awards in his career, and has a chance to make it 23 after this year.
Strait led all ACM nominees with eight nominations today, including entertainer of the year, top male vocalist, album of the year, and song of the year.
Brooks & Dunn trailed right behind Strait with seven noms, while Rascal Flatts tallied six, Carrie Underwood got five, and Big & Rich nabbed four. Country stars Kenny Chesney and Sugarland announced the nominations on CBS's The Early Show.
"Whenever you get nominated, it's a reflection of a lot of people's hard work," Chesney said.
The 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be held May 15 in Las Vegas.
Strait was nominated as both artist and producer for the album It Just Comes Natural and the single "Give it Away," which also was nominated for song of the year. Dunn is up for vocal event of the year for "I Don't Want To," his collaboration with newcomer Ashley Monroe.
Brooks & Dunn were honored in the entertainer of the year and the top vocal duo categories, and their Hillbilly Deluxe was nominated for album of the year.
Rascal Flatts got nominations for entertainer of the year, top vocal group, best album for Me and My Gang, and best single for "What Hurts the Most."
Here's a complete list of this year's ACM nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Kenny Chesney
Tim McGraw
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
Sara Evans
Faith Hill
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood
Top Vocal Group
Diamond Rio
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
Top Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Top New Male Vocalist
Rodney Atkins
Craig Morgan
Chris Young
Top New Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift
Top New Duo or Vocal Group
Heartland
Little Big Town
The Wreckers
Album of the Year
Brooks & Dunn - Hillbilly Deluxe
George Strait - It Just Comes Natural
Rascal Flatts - Me and My Gang
Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts
Vince Gill - These Days
Single Record of the Year
Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"
George Strait - "Give It Away"
Heartland - "I Loved Her First"
Rascal Flatts - "What Hurts the Most"
Josh Turner - "Would You Go With Me"
Song of the Year
Jason Aldean - "Amarillo Sky"
Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"
George Strait - "Give It Away"
Rodney Atkins - "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)"
Josh Turner - "Would You Go With Me"
Video of Year
"8th of November," Big & Rich
"Amarillo Sky," Jason Aldean
"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood
"Hillbilly Deluxe," Brooks & Dunn
"Seashores of Old Mexico," George Strait
Vocal Event
"Building Bridges," Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow
"I Don't Want To," Ashley Monroe and Ronnie Dunn
"Me and God," Josh Turner featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams, and Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio
"Politically Uncorrect," Gretchen Wilson featuring Merle Haggard
"That's How They Do It In Dixie," Hank Williams Jr. with Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Van Zant
