2017 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominations

The nominations for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards are out and while most nominations were expected there are some nominations (or lack thereof) that has left people scratching their heads.

Entertainer of the Year includes last year’s winner Jason Aldean along with his buddy, Luke Bryan. Also nominated for the first time in 7 years is Carrie Underwood. Florida Georgia Line (a duo) is also on the list that is rounded out by Keith Urban.

Not on the list? Country Music Award’s Entertainer of the Year, Garth Brooks and multi Entertainer of the Year winner, Kenny Chesney. Both artists were on tour in 2016.

If Florida Georgia Line wins Entertainer of the Year they would be the first duo to do so since 2002 when Brooks & Dunn took home the award.

The Male Vocalist of the Year category didn’t necessarily shake out as many were expecting either. Last year’s winner, Chris Stapelton makes the cut again along with Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley who is co-hosting for the second year in a row. New addition to the group? Thomas Rhett. This is his first nomination in this category.

Not on the list? Dierks co-host, Luke Bryan and former host, Blake Shelton. Shelton for his part didn’t get nominated in any of the categories this year despite his album If I’m Honest being his 10th number 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Album chart and debuting at number 3 on the overall Top 200 chart. The album also churned out hits, “Came Here to Forget”, “She’s Got a Way With Words” and “Guy With a Girl”.

For what it’s worth, Shelton’s ex received nominations for her post-divorce album, Weight of These Wings seeing her name in the categories for Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year. Her song “Vice” received nods for Singe Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year.

Another shake up came in the Vocal Group of the Year category. Nominees include Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Old Dominion and Rascal Flatts.

Not on the list? Zac Brown Band. The category looks exactly the same as last year’s show with ZBB and Lady Antebellum swapping slots.  

The 2017 Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2nd on CBS, 8:00pm EST.
 
For the full list of nominees, Click Here.

Written by Kristen

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