The nominations for the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced this week, and Miranda Lambert leads the country crowd with seven nominations.
Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band earned the second most nods with five each, and in addition to his band's nominations, new dad Zac Brown received four independently. The Band Perry and Taylor Swift earned four as well, while Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, Keith Urban and Alan Jackson each received three.
Corbin's No. 1 debut album “A Little More Country Than That” earned him his first nominations from the Academy. His nominations include Top New Solo Vocalist and Single and Song of the Year. “This is a dream come true,” Corbin said. “This is something I’ve wanted all my life. To be able to do this for a living and have people like it, I couldn’t ask for any better. I am so blessed.”
Randy Rogers Band is recognized for the third consecutive year in the Top Vocal Group category, while King of Country George Strait is celebrating a Top Male Vocalist nod, his 82nd career ACM nomination."I never get tired of hearing my name in these announcements," said Strait. "I’m thankful to the fans and the ACM."
Jamey Johnson is also in the running with nominations for Album of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for his performance of "Cold Beer" with Colt Ford. Johnson is already a two-time ACM winner in the Song of the Year category.
The Little Big Town gang is also celebrating. The group is nominated not only for an ACM Award in 2011 but also for a Grammy Award. "I hold my breath hoping for a nomination every year. It was nice to wake up this morning and hear the great news," said LBT member Kimberly Schlapman after learning of their ACM Top Vocal Group nomination. In 2006, the group received the Top New Vocal Duo or Group ACM trophy.
The Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET/delayed PT on CBS.
