Eric Church and Chris Stapleton Lead 2016 ACM Awards Nominations

Eric Church Chris Stapleton
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Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan‘s new ACM co-host, just appeared on CBS This Morning to announce the nominees of the 51st Annual ACM Awards, in six of the biggest categories, while the rest were just released online.

It seems that Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are this years favorites as they both received five nominations, more than anyone else this year! Eric has been nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Album of the Year, Video of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year. Chris also snagged five for Male Vocalist, New Male Vocalist, Vocal Event of the Year, and Album of the Year where he is nominated TWICE as both artist and co-producer.

Their is one obvious thing that stands out to me…Brett Eldredge nominated for New Male Vocalist (and Male Vocalist)?! I’m soo happy for him, but I never understand that category, because he’s not “new”.

The 2016 ACM Awards are set to air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 3, beginning at 8PM ET on CBS.

2016 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominees

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

Album of the Year

Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
Montevallo, Sam Hunt
Tangled Up, Thomas Rhett
Traveller, Chris Stapleton
I’m Comin’ Over, Chris Young

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

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 (Director: Karla Welch and Matthew Welch / Producer: Amanda Prunesti)
“Mr. Misunderstood,” Eric Church (Director: Reid Long and 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 Label(s))

“Hangover Tonight,” Gary Allan feat. Chris Stapleton (Producer: Gary Allan, Greg Droman / Record Label: MCA Nashville)
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild (Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens / Record Label: Capitol Nashville)
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban feat. Eric Church (Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban / Record Label: Hit Red, Capitol Nashville)
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’,” Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town (Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf / Record Label: RCA Nashville)
“Wild Child,” Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter (Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney / Record Label: Blue Chair, Columbia Nashville)

Single Record of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) / Producer(s) / Record Label(s))

“Burning House,” Cam
“Buy Me a Boat,” Chris Janson
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“I’m Comin’ Over,” Chris Young
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt

Song of the Year

TBA

Songwriter of the Year

TBA

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