Award season is in full swing in Hollywood with the Grammys and the Oscars just around the corner and in the spirt of recognizing talent -- it's now time to honor best country music has to offer.
On Monday, the Academy of Country Music announced the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards nominations. Eric Church and Chris Stapleton lead the charge this year with five nominations each and are closely followed by Cam, Chris Young and Little Big Town, who each nabbed four nominations. Additional shoutouts go to Miranda Lambert, Chris Janson and Thomas Rhett, who scored three nominations apiece.
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will co-host the 51st annual ACM Awards live from the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas on April 3.
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
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
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"I’m Comin’ Over" – Chris Young
Producers: Chris Young, Corey Crowder
Record Label: RCA Nashville
"Montevallo" – Sam Hunt
Producer: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville
"Mr. Misunderstood" -- Eric Church
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville
"Tangled Up" -- Thomas Rhett
Producers: Chris DeStefano, Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Joe London
Record Label: Valory Music Group
"Traveller" -- Chris Stapleton
Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
"Burning House" -- Cam
Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Camaron Ochs
Record Labels: Arista Nashville, RCA Records, Kravenworks
"Buy Me a Boat" -- Chris Janson
Producers: Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson
Record Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
"Die a Happy Man" -- Thomas Rhett
Producer: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
"Girl Crush" -- Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Nashville
"I’m Comin’ Over" -- Chris Young
Producer: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Label: RCA Nashville
"Take Your Time" -- Sam Hunt
Producer: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"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 & Matthew Welch
Producer: Amanda Prunesti
"Mr. Misunderstood" -- Eric Church
Director: Reid Long & John Peets
Producer: Megan Smith
"Riser" -- Dierks Bentley
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Jennifer Rothlein
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
"Hangover Tonight" -- Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton
Producer: Gary Allan, Greg Droman
Record Label: MCA Nashville
"Home Alone Tonight" -- Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild
Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Nashville
"Raise ‘Em Up" -- Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Label: Hit Red Records, Capitol Nashville
"Smokin’ and Drinkin’" -- Miranda Lambert Featuring 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 Records, Columbia Nashville
The ACM Awards air Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Also on HuffPost:
