ACM Nominations Announced

The nominees for the 42nd annual Academy of Country Music (A-C-M) Awards have been announced. George Strait leads this year's list with eight nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. He is also nominated as artist and producer for both Album of the Year (for It Just Comes Natural) and Single of the Year (for "Give It Away"). Brooks & Dunn follow with seven nominations, plus Ronnie Dunn has an additional one in the Vocal Event of the Year category for Ashley Monroe's single "I Don't Want To." Rascal Flatts got six nominations, Carrie Underwood received five and Big and Rich got four. Vince Gill, Josh Turner and Gretchen Wilson each received three.

Kenny Chesney and Sugarland joined C-B-S Early Show anchor Hannah Storm to make the announcement at the Country Music Hall of Fame this morning (Monday) in Nashville. Sugarland also performed at the event. The A-C-M Awards will be held May 15th at the M-G-M Grand in Las Vegas

-- ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR --

Brooks & Dunn

Tim McGraw

Rascal Flatts

George Strait

Kenny Chesney

-- ALBUM OF THE YEAR --

Brooks & Dunn -- Hillbilly Deluxe

George Strait -- It Just Comes Natural

Rascal Flatts -- Me and My Gang

Carrie Underwood -- Some Hearts

Vince Gill -- These Days

-- TOP MALE VOCALIST --

Toby Keith

Brad Paisley

George Strait

Keith Urban

Kenny Chesney

-- TOP FEMALE VOCALIST --

Sara Evans

Faith Hill

Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

Carrie Underwood

-- TOP VOCAL DUO --

Big & Rich

Brooks & Dunn

Montgomery Gentry

The Wreckers

Sugarland

-- TOP VOCAL GROUP --

Diamond Rio

Emerson Drive

Little Big Town

Lonestar

Rascal Flatts

-- TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST --

Rodney Atkins

Craig Morgan

Chris Young

-- TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST --

Miranda Lambert

Kellie Pickler

Taylor Swift

-- TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP--

Heartland

Little Big Town

The Wreckers

-- SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR --

"Before He Cheats" -- Carrie Underwood

"Give It Away" -- George Strait

"I Loved Her First" -- Heartland

"What Hurts the Most" -- Rascal Flatts

"Would You Go With Me" -- Josh Turner

-- SONG OF THE YEAR (award to songwriter and artist) --

"Amarillo Sky" -- Jason Aldean

"Before He Cheats" -- Carrie Underwood

"Give It Away" -- George Strait

"If You're Going Through Hell" -- Rodney Atkins

"Would You Go With Me" -- Josh Turner

-- VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR --

"I Don't Want To" -- Ashley Monroe with Ronnie Dunn

"Building Bridges" -- Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow

"Me and God" -- Josh Turner with Dr. Ralph Stanley, Marty Roe, Dana Williams, Gene Johnson and Dan Truman

"Politically Uncorrect" -- Gretchen Wilson with Merle Haggard

"That's How They Do It in Dixie" -- Hank Williams Junior with Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Van Zant

-- VIDEO OF THE YEAR --

"8th of November" -- Big & Rich

"Amarillo Sky" -- Jason Aldean

"Before He Cheats" -- Carrie Underwood

"Hillbilly Deluxe" -- Brooks & Dunn

"Seashores of Old Mexico" -- George Strait

-- HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR --

Brooks & Dunn