Academy of Country Music Announces Nominees for 53rd ACM Awards [Updated]

Academy of Country Music Announces Nominees for 53rd ACM Awards [Updated]

The nominees for the 53rd ACM Awards are being announced today (March 1) on CBS This Morning, ETonline.com and Facebook. We’ll bring you updates as they roll in.

Entertainer of the Year

  • Jason Aldean
  • Garth Brooks
  • Luke Bryan
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year

  • Jason Aldean
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Keith Urban
  • Chris Young

Female Vocalist of the Year

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Reba McEntire
  • Maren Morris
  • Carrie Underwood

Vocal Duo of the Year

  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan + Shay
  • Locash
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Vocal Group of the Year

  • Lady Antebellum
  • LANCO
  • Little Big Town
  • Midland
  • Old Dominion

New Female Vocalist of the Year

  • Lauren Alaina
  • Danielle Bradbery
  • Carly Pearce
  • RaeLynn

New Male Vocalist of the Year

  • Kane Brown
  • Luke Combs
  • Devin Dawson
  • Russell Dickerson
  • Brett Young

New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year

  • High Valley
  • LANCO
  • LOCASH
  • Midland
  • Runaway June

Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Breaker – Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

California Sunrise – Jon Pardi
Producers: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

From A Room Vol. 1 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records

Happy Endings – Old Dominion
Producer: Shane McAnally
Record Label: RCA

Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

“Better Man” – Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

“Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt
Producer: Zach Crowell
Record Label: MCA Nashville

“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records

“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Record Label: Big Machine Records

“I’ll Name The Dogs” – Blake Shelton
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros.

Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

“Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Publishers: Universal Music Corp./Sam Hunt Publishing, Highly Combustible Music/I Love Pizza Music,/Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing/Atlas Music Publishing, Anderson Fork In The Road Music/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC, Smack Hits

“Female” – Keith Urban
Songwriters: Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon and Shane McAnally
Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Rezolant Music/Plain Jane Songs, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./A Girl Named Charlie (BMI), Smack Hits/Smack Songs LLC (GMR)

“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert
Songwriters: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert Jon Randall
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Beat Up Ford Publishing (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI)/SWMBMGBMI/Lonesome Vinyl Music

“Whiskey And You” – Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Stapleton
Publishers: WB Music Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (BMI)

Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

“Black” – Dierks Bentley
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Max A. Butler

“It Ain’t My Fault” – Brothers Osborne
Director: Wes Edwards, Ryan Silver
Producer: Tiffany Davies

“Legends” – Kelsea Ballerini
Director: Jeff Venable
Producer: Ben Skipworth

“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy
Producer: Dan Atchison

“We Should Be Friends” – Miranda Lambert
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: April Dace

Songwriter of the Year

  • Rhett Akins
  • Ashley Gorley
  • Hillary Lindsey
  • Shane McAnally
  • Josh Osborne

Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

“Craving You” – Thomas Rhett Featuring Maren Morris
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris featuring Vince Gill
Producers: Brad Hill, Maren Morris
Record Label: Columbia Nashville

“Funny (How Time Slips Away)” – Glen Campbell And Willie Nelson
Producer: Carl Jackson
Record Label: Universal Music Enterprises

“The Fighter” – Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood
Producers: Busbee, Keith Urban
Record Label: Capitol Nashville

“What Ifs” – Kane Brown Featuring Lauren Alaina
Producer: Dann Huff
Record Label: RCA Nashville

Blogs

Kelsea Ballerini Moves Fan To Cry ‘Happy Tears’ After Wearing Her Custom Bedazzled Boots On Stage

Kelsea Ballerini made a fan's dream come true when she wore custom bedazzled boots gifted by 23-year-old Dani Krapf during her headlining tour stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 5. Krapf, a longtime fan of Ballerini, sparkled the personalized pair with colorful gemstones inspired by the singer's past musical eras and song titles. Ballerini surprised…

Kelsea Ballerini Moves Fan To Cry ‘Happy Tears’ After Wearing Her Custom Bedazzled Boots On Stage

Kelsea Ballerini made a fan’s dream come true when she wore custom bedazzled boots gifted by 23-year-old Dani Krapf during her headlining tour stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 5. Krapf, a longtime fan of Ballerini, sparkled the personalized pair with colorful gemstones inspired by the singer’s past musical eras and song titles. Ballerini surprised…

Post Malone Makes Huge Donation Supporting Young Nashville Musicians

Post Malone has joined forces with Raising Cane's to donate $500,000 to Notes for Notes, a Nashville-based charity supporting future musicians. The funds were generated from the sale of limited-edition Post Malone posters at Cane's locations in Utah and Texas. The donation will benefit youth by providing free access to music instruments, instruction, and recording…

Post Malone Makes Huge Donation Supporting Young Nashville Musicians

Post Malone has joined forces with Raising Cane’s to donate $500,000 to Notes for Notes, a Nashville-based charity supporting future musicians. The funds were generated from the sale of limited-edition Post Malone posters at Cane’s locations in Utah and Texas. The donation will benefit youth by providing free access to music instruments, instruction, and recording…

Brad Paisley Set To Headline NFL Draft Concert Series

Brad Paisley has been announced as the headliner for the NFL Draft Concert Series on April 26, which will bring an end to the 2025 NFL Draft held in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Paisley will perform at the Draft Theater near historic Lambeau Field, offering fans a free concert following Round 7 of the draft. “There’s…

Brad Paisley Set To Headline NFL Draft Concert Series

Brad Paisley has been announced as the headliner for the NFL Draft Concert Series on April 26, which will bring an end to the 2025 NFL Draft held in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Paisley will perform at the Draft Theater near historic Lambeau Field, offering fans a free concert following Round 7 of the draft. “There’s…

Morgan Wallen Unveils Star-Studded 37-Song Tracklist For ‘I’m The Problem’

On Wednesday (April 16), Morgan Wallen announced the track list for his highly-anticipated fourth album, I'm the Problem. The country star revealed that there are a total of 37 songs on his upcoming record, which is due out May 16 via Big Loud / Mercury. The project includes an impressive list of special guest collaborators,…

Morgan Wallen Unveils Star-Studded 37-Song Tracklist For ‘I’m The Problem’

On Wednesday (April 16), Morgan Wallen announced the track list for his highly-anticipated fourth album, I’m the Problem. The country star revealed that there are a total of 37 songs on his upcoming record, which is due out May 16 via Big Loud / Mercury. The project includes an impressive list of special guest collaborators,…

Jackson Dean Has Poured Everything He Has Into His Music

Jackson Dean, known for his high-energy live performances, will be releasing his new single "Be Your Man" on May 9. The country rocker's intense stage presence, highlighted by moments of pushing himself to the point of blacking out, has fueled his successful career following his 2022 chart-topping debut single, "Don't Come Lookin'." With a distinct…

Jackson Dean Has Poured Everything He Has Into His Music

Jackson Dean, known for his high-energy live performances, will be releasing his new single “Be Your Man” on May 9. The country rocker’s intense stage presence, highlighted by moments of pushing himself to the point of blacking out, has fueled his successful career following his 2022 chart-topping debut single, “Don’t Come Lookin’.” With a distinct…