Carrie Underwood pleases at the ACA’s with Fan Voted wins in multiple categories.  American Idol’s Scotty McCreery showed off his fan appeal with a new artist award.

Trace Adkins hosted the other Vegas Awards show and this year was assisted by Kristin Chenoweth at the MGM Grand.

The full list of nominees are listed below, and the winners’ names noted.

American Country Awards Winnersfor 2011 are:

Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean — WINNER
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley — WINNER
Blake Shelton

Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood — WINNER

Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, ‘A Little Bit Stronger’
Miranda Lambert, ‘Heart Like Mine’
Reba McEntire, ‘Turn On The Radio’
Taylor Swift, ‘Mean’
Carrie Underwood, ‘Mama’s Song’ — WINNER

Single of the Year
Billy Currington, ‘Let Me Down Easy’
Tim McGraw, ‘Felt Good On My Lips’
Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not’
Chris Young, ‘Voices’ — WINNER
Zac Brown Band Feat. Alan Jackson, ‘As She’s Walking Away’

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Eric Church
Eli Young Band
Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Chris Young — WINNER

Music Video of the Year
Sara Evans, ‘A Little Bit Stronger’
Jerrod Niemann, ‘What Do You Want’
Blake Shelton, ‘Who are You When I’m Not Looking’ — WINNER
Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not’
Josh Turner, ‘I Wouldn’t Be A Man’

Music Video: Male
Jason Aldean, ‘My Kinda Party’
Jerrod Niemann, ‘What Do You Want’
Blake Shelton, ‘Who Are You When I’m Not Looking’ — WINNER
Josh Turner, ‘I Wouldn’t Be A Man’
Keith Urban, ‘Put You In A Song’

Album of the Year
Jason Aldean, ‘My Kinda Party’ — WINNER
Kenny Chesney, ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey’
Brad Paisley, ‘This Is Country Music’
Taylor Swift, ‘Speak Now’
Keith Urban, ‘Get Closer’
Zac Brown Band, ‘You Get What You Give’

Artist of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery — WINNER
Jerrod Niemann
Pistol Annies
Thompson Square

Single of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry, ‘You Lie’
Rascal Flatts, ‘Why Wait’
Sugarland, ‘Stuck Like Glue’
Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’ — WINNER
Zac Brown Band, ‘Colder Weather’

Single of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry, ‘You Lie’
Craig Campbell, ‘Family Man’
The JaneDear Girls, ‘Wildflower’
Jerrod Niemann, ‘What Do You Want’
Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’ — WINNER

Music Video: New Artist
The Band Perry, ‘You Lie’
Craig Campbell, ‘Family Man’
Brett Eldredge, ‘Raymond’
Jerrod Niemann, ‘What Do You Want’
Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not’ — WINNER

Music Video: Female
Sara Evans, ‘A Little Bit Stronger’
Reba McEntire, ‘Turn On The Radio’
Ashton Shepherd, ‘Look It Up’
Taylor Swift, ‘Back To December’
Carrie Underwood, ‘Mama’s Song’ — WINNER

Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, ‘My Kinda Party’ — WINNER
Luke Bryan, ‘Someone Else Calling You Baby’
Billy Currington, ‘Let Me Down Easy’
Tim McGraw, ‘Felt Good On My Lips’
Chris Young, ‘Voices’

Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean Feat. Kelly Clarkson, ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ — WINNER
The Band Perry, ‘You Lie’
Lady Antebellum, ‘Hello World’
Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not’
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, ‘As She’s Walking Away’

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration

Jason Aldean Feat. Kelly Clarkson, ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ — WINNER

Kenny Chesney Feat. Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’
Brad Paisley Feat. Alabama, ‘Old Alabama’
Zac Brown Band Feat. Jimmy Buffet, ‘Knee Deep’
Zac Brown Band Feat. Alan Jackson, ‘As She’s Walking Away’

Touring Headline Act of the Year
Jason Aldean — WINNER
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Artist of the Decade
Keith Urban
Brad Paisley
Garth Brooks
Rascal Flatts
Brooks and Dunn
Alan Jackson
George Strait
Kenny Chesney
Tim McGraw
Toby Keith — WINNER

See Who Wins 11/10 8pm

CountryMusic’s Biggest night lived up to the hype with a CMA Awards telecast that seemed to continue the evolutionof modern country.    The Band Perry has exploded onto the scene thanks to a young appeal and a cutting edge Single and Song of the year in “If I Die Young.”   There was a moving tribute to Glen Campbell, who revealed in June that he has Alzheimer’s disease. Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Vince Gill will all saluted the famed guitarist and Country Music Hall of Fame member.

Other notable performances came from Scotty McCreery, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland, Martina McBride, Zac Brown Band, Faith Hill, and co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

Major winners include:

Entertainer of the Year:  Taylor Swift

Female Vocalist of the Year:  Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton

New Artist of the Year: The Band Perry

Vocal Group of the Year:  Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland

Single of the Year: “If I Die Young” – The Band Perry.

Album of the Year: “My Kinda Party” – Jason Aldean,

Music Video of the Year:  “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney f/ Grace Potter.

There is a clear evolution taking place… surprising that Kenny, Keith, Flatts and others seem to have been passed by with a new crew.

See Who Wins 11/10 8pm

This Years CMA Awards (different from the ACM Awards) will be held in Nashville on November 9th (Televised on ABC at 8pm Eastern).  Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are set to host.

By Andy McCarthy

Each year, the Country Music Association, composed of country music industry professionals, presents the County Music Association Awards – more succinctly known as Country Music Awards or CMAs – to recognize excellence among the latest in country music. In 1958, the Country Music Association formed and became the first trade association for a single musical genre, with the mission to provide professional and educational resources that would contribute to advancements within the country music industry. Their first Country Music Awards banquet took place in 1967, introduced as a vehicle for furthering the organization’s mission and providing honor and recognition to outstanding contributions to the genre and the industry during the past year.

The first ceremony took place in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Municipal Auditorium, with Eddy Arnold taking home the CMA’s very first honor for Entertainer of the Year. The first two years’ banquets were not televised; 1969 was the first year that the awards ceremony was broadcast live on television for all the viewing public to see. Beginning in 1978, the awards have been broadcast live nationwide on both television and radio stations.

The twelve awards distributed each year include:

� Entertainer of the Year

� Single of the Year

� Album of the Year

� Song of the Year

� Female Vocalist of the Year

� Male Vocalist of the Year

� Vocal Group of the Year

� Vocal Duo of the Year

� Musical Event of the Year

� Musician of the Year

� Music Video of the Year

� New Artist of the Year

In order to qualify as a nominee, Music singles, albums, and videos must have been released during the given year’s eligibility period, usually from the 1st of July of the previous year through the 30th of June of the ceremony year. Country music charts harts used to determine eligibility for certain categories include Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, Music Row Country Breakout Chart, and Country Aircheck Chart.

The voting process that determines each year’s winners involves all Country Music Association industry professional members and consists of three rounds, all supervised by Deloitte and Touche, an international accounting firm. During the first round, members may nominate a single act in each category. From those selections, the top twenty qualifiers are compiled as official nominees for the next round of voting. During the second round, members may select up to five nominees in each category – and the top five nominees selected in each category after the votes have been tabulated become the official nominees for the final ballot. During the third and final round of voting, members choose one nominee in each category as their picks for the winners.

The trophy that Country Music Award winners receive was designed in 1967, made of walnut and marble, signifying the genre’s warmth, strength, and durability, constructed to resemble a chart bullet, and decorated with a music note labeled by the caption, “Best Liked World Wide.” Since 1982, fine Italian crystal has been used in place of walnut due to the wood’s limited supply. Constructed of hand-blown crystal in Florence, Italy, then assembled in Nashville, TN by Francis & Lusky, the trophy in its finished form is now a crystal obelisk award that stands at fifteen inches tall and weighs seven and a half pounds, with the Country Music Association logo engraved on a die-struck medallion with three levels in polished bronze. After winners are announced, a satin brass nameplate displaying the name of the winner and category is added to each winner’s trophy.

The author of this article is 10 year veteran in the crystal awards and recognition gifts industry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_McCarthy
http://EzineArticles.com/?Country-Music-Awards&id=5716485

Hosts with The Hits

Country music’s hottest and most prolific songwriters have announced a return to hosting duties.

Arista Records artists Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have signed on to act as The Country Music Association’s  affable hosts again in 2011.   The singers announced the date during the filming of their smash hit duet “Remind Me” from Brad Paisley’s Latest project “This is Country Music.”   Country Songs Online has a hunch they’ll be performing that one on the show too. See the Youtube clip below.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards” airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Paisley and Underwood have received positive reviews for their hosting skills the past three years.

Haywood, Scott and Kelley

Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum wan the Country album and Country Song awards at last night’s Billboard Music Awards. Eminem won the night’s biggest award the “Top Artist” trophy. The Billboard Awards took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in partnership with Chevrolet and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

This is the first year that ABC aired the event and marks the first Billboard Music Awards show since 2007.

2011 Billboard Music Awards Winners:

ARTIST AWARDS
Top Artist:
Eminem

Top New Artist:
Justin Bieber

Top Male Artist:
Eminem

Top Female Artist:
Rihanna

Top Duo/Group:
The Black Eyed Peas

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Artist:
Katy Perry

Top Digital Songs Artist:
Katy Perry

Top Radio Songs Artist:
Rihanna

Top Touring Artist:
U2

Top Social Artist:
Justin Bieber

Top Streaming Artist:
Justin Bieber

Top Digital Media Artist:
Justin Bieber

Top Pop Artist:
Lady Gaga

Top R&B Artist:
Usher

Top Rap Artist:
Eminem

Top Country Artist:
Taylor Swift

Top Rock Artist:
Train

Top Alternative Artist:
Mumford & Sons

Top Latin Artist:
Shakira

Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
Lady Gaga

Top Christian Artist:
Chris Tomlin

SPECIAL AWARDS:
Millennium Award:
Beyonce

Touring Award:
U2

Icon Award:

Neil Diamond

ALBUMS AWARDS:
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Eminem — “Recovery”

Top Pop Album:
Justin Bieber — “My World 2.0″
Katy Perry — “Teenage Dream”

Top R&B Album:
Usher — “Raymond v. Raymond”

Top Rap Album:
Eminem — “Revovery”

Top Country Album:
Taylor Swift — “Speak Now”

Top Rock Album:
Mumford & Sons — “Sigh No More”

Top Alternative Album:
Mumford & Sons — “Sigh No More”

Top Latin Album:
Enrique Iglesias — “Euphoria”

Top Dance/Electronic Album:
Lady Gaga — “The Fame”

Top Christian Album:
Skillet — “Awake”

SONG AWARDS:
Top Hot 100 Song:
Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”

Top Digital Song:
Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”

Top Radio Song:
Bruno Mars — “Just The Way You Are”

Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Nelly — “Just A Dream”

Top Streaming Song (Video):
Justin Bieber Feat. Ludacris — “Baby”

Top Pop Song:
Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”

Top R&B Song:
Usher Feat. will.i.am — “OMG”

Top Rap Song:
Eminem Feat. Rihanna — “Love The Way You Lie”

Top Country Song:
Lady Antebellum — “Need You Now”

Top Rock Song:
Train — “Hey, Soul Sister”

Top Alternative Song:
Neon Trees — “Animal”

Top Latin Song:
Shakira Feat. Freshleyground — “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)”

Top Dance Song:
Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina — “Stereo Love”

Top Christian Song:
Chris Tomlin — “Our God”

A big suprise for Taylor Swift who has just returned from an overseas Taylor tour to come home to her first Entertainer of the Year Win (Swift has won the 2009 CMA’s version of the trophy).

The award marks another year of new faces in different categories with some suprise appearancesfrom Miranda Lambert.

It could have been anyone’s game in the Male Vocalist category but a satisfying Brad Paisley took home the trophy.  No Chesney or Strait even inthe audience this year (not suprising since Chesney’s outspoken criticism of the fan voting mechanic in the past).

Taylor Swift

Here’ s the List of Winners with more HERE

Entertainer of the Year

Taylor Swift

Top Male Vocalist

Brad Paisley
“I’m so thankful to the fans of country music for [giving me] this shot to do this for a living. I’m so proud of the other nominees. I’m friends with all of you.” — Brad Paisley

Top Female Vocalist

Miranda Lambert

Top Vocal Duo

Sugarland
Vocal Group

Lady Antebellum
Album of the Year

Need You Now
Lady Antebellum
Single Record of the Year

“The House That Built Me”
Miranda Lambert

Top New Artist

The Band Perry
Song of the Year

“The House That Built Me”
Miranda Lambert
Video of the Year

“The House That Built Me”
Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event of the Year

“As She’s Walking Away”
Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson

Wow…. there are a lot of Grammy Awards handed out.    Of course, it’s all genres of music so it will always award more than the CMA’s or ACMs or new American Country Awards… but still.  Lots of Nominees. It was the biggest night last night for Lady Antebellum as Charles, Hillary, and Dave walked away with some big trophys.  Miranda too.    All recipients from last night’s ceremonies at the Staples Center in Los Angeles listed below.  Country first… for your convenience.

Haywood, Scott and Kelley

Album of the Year: The Suburbs, Arcade Fire

Record of the Year: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

New Artist: Esperanza Spalding

Song of the Year: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

COUNTRY:
Country Album:   Lady Antebellum, Need You Now

Female Country Vocal Performance:   Miranda Lambert, ” The House That Built Me,” Revolution

Male Country Vocal Performance: Keith Urban, “‘Til Summer Comes Around”

Country Song: “Need You Now,” Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum) (Need You Now)

Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Country Instrumental Performance: Marty Stuart, “Hummingbyrd” (Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions)

POP:
Pop Vocal Album: Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster

Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Train, “Hey, Soul Sister (Live)”

Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Michael Bublé, Crazy Love

Female Pop Vocal Performance: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance,” The Fame Monster

Male Pop Vocal Performance: Bruno Mars, “Just The Way You Are,” Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “Imagine,” Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare, The Imagine Project

Pop Instrumental Performance: “Nessun Dorma,” Jeff Beck, Emotion & Commotion

Pop Instrumental Album: Take Your Pick, Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto

R&B:
Female R&B Vocal Performance: Fantasia, “Bittersweet,” Back to Me

Male R&B Vocal Performance: Usher, “There Goes My Baby,” Raymond V Raymond

R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Sade, “Soldier of Love,” Soldier of Love

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: John Legend & The Roots, “Hang On In There,” Wake Up!

R&B Song: John Legend & The Roots, “Shine,” Wake Up!

R&B Album: Wake Up!, John Legend & The Roots

Contemporary R&B Album: Raymond V Raymond, Usher
RAP:
Rap Album: Recovery, Eminem

Rap Song: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind,” The Blueprint 3

Rap/Sung Collaboration: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind,” The Blueprint 3

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz, “On to the Next One,” The Blueprint 3

Rap Solo Performance: Eminem, “Not Afraid,” Recovery

Urban/Alternative Performance: “F*** You,” Cee Lo Green

ROCK:
Rock Album: Muse, The Resistance

Solo Rock Vocal Performance: Paul McCartney, “Helter Skelter,” Good Evening New York City

Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: The Black Keys, “Tighten Up,” Brothers

Rock Song: “Angry World,” Neil Young, Le Noise

Hard Rock Performance: New Fang, “Them Crooked Vultures,” Them Crooked Vultures

Metal Performance: “El Dorado,” Iron Maiden, The Final Frontier

Rock Instrumental Performance: Jeff Beck, “Hammerhead,” Emotion & Commotion

New Age Album:Miho: Journey to the Mountain, Paul Winter Consort

Contemporary Jazz Album:The Stanley Clarke Band, The Stanley Clarke Band

Jazz Vocal Album:Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee, Dee Dee Bridgewater

LATIN:
Latin Pop Album: Paraiso Express, Alejandro Sanz

Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album: El Existential, Grupo Fantasma

Tropical Latin Album: Viva La Tradición, Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Tejano Album: Recuerdos, Little Joe & La Familia

Norteño Album: Classic, Intocable

Banda Album: Enamórate De Mí, El Güero Y Su Banda Centenario

JAZZ:
Contemporary Jazz Album: The Stanley Clarke Band, The Stanley Clarke Band

Jazz Vocal Album: Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee, Dee Dee Bridgewater

Improvised Jazz Solo: “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Herbie Hancock (The Imagine Project)

Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: Moody 4B, James Moody

Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Live at Jazz Standard, Mingus Big Band

Latin Jazz Album: Chucho’s Steps, Chucho Valdés and the Afro-Cuban Messengers

GOSPEL:
Gospel Performance: “Grace,” BeBe & CeCe Winans, Still

Gospel Song: “It’s What I Do,” Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway), The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter III

Rock or Rap Gospel Album: Hello Hurricane, Switchfoot

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: Love God. Love People, Israel Houghton

Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: The Reason, Diamond Rio

Traditional Gospel Album: Downtown Church, Patty Griffin

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: Still, BeBe & CeCe Winans

DANCE:
Dance Recording: “Only Girl (in the World),” Rihanna

Electronic/Dance Album: La Roux, La Roux

TRADITIONAL/ALTERNATIVE/WORLD:
Alternative Music Album: Brothers, The Black Keys

Americana Album: You Are Not Alone, Mavis Staples

Bluegrass Album: Mountain Soul II, Patty Loveless

Traditional Blues Album: Joined At The Hip, Pinetop Perkins & Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith

Contemporary Blues Album: Living Proof, Buddy Guy

Traditional Folk Album: Genuine Negro Jig, Carolina Chocolate Drops

Contemporary Folk Album: God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise, Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs

Hawaiian Music Album: Huana Ke Aloha, Tia Carrere

Native American Music Album: 2010 Gathering Of Nations Pow Wow: A Spirit’s Dance, Various Artists

Zydeco or Cajun Music Album: Zydeco Junkie, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band

Reggae Album: Before The Dawn, Buju Banton

Traditional World Music Album: Ali And Toumani, Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté

Contemporary World Music Album: Throw Down Your Heart, Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks, Béla Fleck

New Age Album: Miho: Journey to the Mountain, Paul Winter Consort

VISUAL MEDIA:
Short Form Music Video: “Bad Romance,” Lady Gaga

Long Form Music Video: “When You’re Strange,” The Doors

Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books and Storytelling): The Daily Show

With Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Audiobook)

Musical Show Album: American Idiot (Featuring Green Day)

Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Crazy Heart (Various Artists)

Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Toy Story 3, Randy Newman, composer

Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “The Weary Kind”
(From Crazy Heart), Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett, songwriters

Instrumental Composition: “The Path Among the Trees,” Billy Childs, composer (Billy Childs Ensemble), Autumn: In Moving Pictures Jazz—Chamber Music Vol. 2

Instrumental Arrangement: “Carlos,” Vince Mendoza, arranger (John Scofield, Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orkest), 54

CLASSICAL:
Engineered Album, Classical:Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina, Giancarlo Guerrero &Nashville Symphony Orchestra

Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost

Classical Album:Verdi: Requiem, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Symphony Chorus

Orchestral Performance:Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina, Nashville Symphony

Opera Recording:Saariaho: L’Amour De Loin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Choral Performance:Verdi: Requiem, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Symphony Chorus

Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra):Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 23 & 24, Mitsuko Uchida (The Cleveland Orchestra)

Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra): Paul Jacobs, Messiaen: Livre Du Saint-Sacrement

Chamber Music Performance:Ligeti: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2, Parker Quartet

Small Ensemble Performance:Dinastia Borja, Jordi Savall, conductor; Hespèrion XXI & La Capella Reial De Catalunya

Classical Vocal Performance:Sacrificium, Cecilia Bartoli (Giovanni Antonini; Il Giardino Armonico)

Classical Contemporary Composition: Michael Daugherty: Deus Ex Machina, Michael Daugherty (Giancarlo Guerrero), Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony

Classical Crossover Album:Christopher Tin: Calling All Dawns

Surround Sound Album:Britten’s Orchestra, Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony

CHILDREN:
Musical Album for Children: Tomorrow’s Children, Pete Seeger with the Rivertown Kids and Friends

Spoken Word Album for Children: Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies, Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton

OTHER:
Comedy Album: Lewis Black, Stark Raving Black

Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): “Baba Yetu,” Christopher Tin, Soweto Gospel Choir & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Calling All Dawns

Recording Package: Brothers, The Black Keys

Boxed or Special Limited-Edition Package: Under Great White Northern Lights (Limited Edition Box Set), The White Stripes

Album Notes: Keep An Eye On The Sky, Big Star

Historical Album: The Beatles (The Original Studio Recordings), The Beatles

Engineered Album, Nonclassical: Battle Studies, John Mayer

Producer of the Year, Nonclassical: Danger Mouse

Remixed Recording, Nonclassical: “Revolver” (David Guetta’s One Love Club Remix), Madonna

Lee Brice

A few suprises at this year’s 2011 ACM nominations.  Country hottie Miranda Lambert continues to shine with 6 big naminations and a few others – like Colt Ford – and Jason Aldean finally start to get some real notice.   Early signs look like a whole different field from 2010′s ACM Winners.

Reba and Blake Shelton will host the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards from Las Vegas on April 3 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS. Performers and presenters at the show will be announced soon.

Here are your 2011 Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban

TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack

Full list here.

Jamey Johnson got two noms including one for Album of The Year.   Joshnson also made the list for the category of Vocal Event of the Year for his performance with Colt Ford of “Cold Beer.”

“If working with Colt in the studio was a ball, touring with him on the road with the Grascals and Hank Williams, Jr. was several balls,” Jamey says. “He’s a unique artist in a day where uniquity is not usually rewarded. I’m proud to be nominated alongside my friend.”

An awards TV appearance could be Ford’s breakthrough moment, “I never dreamed I would get a nomination for anything,” said Ford in response to the news.  “I just wanted to make a good song with my friend Jamey.  I am so humbled to even be mentioned with the amazing artists in this category.  I promise no one is more grateful than me!”

Lee Brice scored a surprising three nominations in conjuction with his record breaking single “Love Like Crazy.”

“Wow!  What a way to start the day!  I’m out on the west coast deep in dreamland and my hotel phone starts ringing at 5:30am and it’s my manager screaming ‘Wake Up! We got 3 ACM Nominations!’ I grinned from ear to ear,” Brice explains about hearing the good news, “It’s such an honor just to be nominated and such a boost personally after putting so much time and work into this.”

Haywood, Scott and Kelley

Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” and Miranda Lambert continue a country streak with big nominations for the 2011 Grammy Awards.

Although the Grammys are not the biggie awards in the Country music world (CMAs have the big night) they are the industry standard and what everyone in the world looks at.

Lady Antebellum get the big Nomination for Record of the Year for Need You Now… The 53rd annual Grammy Awards will be shown live on CBS February 13th.

Best Country Song Nominations for The Breath You Take, Need You Now, and If I Die Young, House That Built Me, Free, and the little known I’d Love To Be Your Last.

Here’s a taste of the nominees with a link for the entire list below:

Album of the Year
The Suburbs, Arcade Fire
Recovery, Eminem
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga
Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

Record of the Year
B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars, “Nothin’ on You”
Eminem feat. Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie”
Cee Lo Green, “F— You”/”Forget You”
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”
Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Song of the Year
“Beg Steal or Borrow,” written by Ray LaMontagne (performed by Ray LaMontagne)
“F— You”/”Forget You,” written by Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence, and Bruno Mars (performed by Cee Lo Green)
“The House that Built Me,” written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin (performed by Miranda Lambert)
“Love the Way You Lie,” written by Alexander Grant, Skylar Grey, and Marshall Mathers (performed by Eminem feat. Rihanna)
“Need You Now,” written by Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, and Hillary Scott (performed by Lady Antebellum)

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Jewel, “Satisfied”
Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me”
LeAnn Rimes, “Swingin’”
Carrie Underwood, “Temporary Home”
Gretchen Wilson, “I’d Love To Be Your Last”

More at: http://www.grammy.com/nominees