Eric Church and Miranda Lambert lead the way in the nominations for ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards.  The cowboy hat topped trophy’s will be handed out live on CBS in LasVegas on April 8th.  Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan (both Entertainer nominees) are set to host.

The full list of nominees is at The ACM Site.

Entertainer of the Year

The Academy has the expected names in the Entertiner category but it is still a shock for some country fans to NOT see names like Keith and Kenny in the list.

• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Miranda Lambert
• Blake Shelton
• Taylor Swift

 

Male Vocalist of the Year

Blake has been the man these days but there’s no denying Jason Aldean’s surge or Eric Church’s buzz.  This is a category to watch.

• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Eric Church
• Toby Keith
• Blake Shelton

 

Female Vocalist of the Year

Newcomer Kacey Musgraves surprises many in this years big female list but the real battle will be with the blondes.

• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Kacey Musgraves
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

 

Vocal Duo of the Year

A lot of new names in the Duo category.   It’s up for grabs.

• Big & Rich
• Florida Georgia Line
• Love and Theft
• Sugarland
• Thompson Square

 

Vocal Group of the Year

 

• The Band Perry
• Eli Young Band
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Zac Brown Band

 

New Male Vocalist of the Year

 

• Lee Brice
• Brantley Gilbert
• Hunter Hayes

 

New Female Vocalist of the Year

 

• Jana Kramer
• Kacey Musgraves
• Sunny Sweeney

 

New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year

 

• Florida Georgia Line
• Love and Theft
• Thompson Square

 

New Artist of the Year Presented by Kohl’s Department Stores (Winners of New Male, New Female & New Vocal Duo of Group of the Year)

 

• Florida Georgia Line
• Brantley Gilbert
• Jana Kramer

 

Album of the Year (Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company)

 

• Blown Away – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)
  Produced by: Mark Bright
• Chief – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)
  Produced by: Jay Joyce
• Red – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
  Produced by: Jeff Bhasker, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker, Dan Wilson
• Tailgates & Tanlines – Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville)
  Produced by: Mark Bright, Jeff Stevens
• Tornado – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)
  Produced by: Jay Joyce

 

Single Record of the Year (Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company)

 

• Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville)
  Produced by: Mike Wrucke
• Over You – Miranda Lambert (RCA)
  Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
• Pontoon – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)
  Produced by: Jay Joyce
• Springsteen – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)
  Produced by: Jay Joyce
• Wanted – Hunter Hayes (Atlantic/WMN)
  Produced by: Hunter Hayes, Dann Huff

 

Song of the Year

 

• A Woman Like You – Lee Brice
  Composers: Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone
  Publishers: 3JB Music (BMI), Adios Pantalones (SESAC), Hears That Skyline Music (SESAC), Sixteen Stars Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band
  Composers: Will Hoge, Eric Paslay
  Publishers: Cal IV Songs (ASCAP), Will Hoge Music (BMI)
• Over You – Miranda Lambert
  Composers: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton
  Publishers: Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)
• Springsteen – Eric Church
  Composers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell
  Publishers: Bug Music (BMI), Ole Purple Cape Music (BMI), Sinnerlina (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)
• Wanted – Hunter Hayes
  Composers: Hunter Hayes, Troy Verges
  Publishers: Happy Little Man Publishing (BMI), Songs From The Engine Room (BMI), Songs Of Universal Inc. (BMI)