The Academy of Country Music released their 2012 nominations this morning with Kenny Chesney leading the pack with nine nominations in a variety of categories, including Entertainer of the Year, Best Male Vocal Artist, and Best Album of the Year (for Hemingway's Whiskey). You don't really have to be a country fan to knows who Chesney is, at least by name alone, so it's no surprise he earned so much recognition this year. He's basically the country equivalent of Country Music's Katy Perry -- they're both too beloved to not get nominated.
Meanwhile, Jason Aldean came in an impressive second with six nominations, ahead of Lady Antebellum who collected five, followed by Brad Paisley who received four and Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Grace Potter and the Eli Young Band all tying with three apiece. Fans' votes will determine the finalists for the New Artist of the Year category, which will be announced in February. Additionally, Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton are set to co-host the award show, which will air live on April 1 on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Check out the nominees in some of the top categories below:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Jenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Chris Young
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Love and Theft
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Album of the Year
Chief – Eric Church
Four The Record – Miranda Lambert
Hemingway's Whiskey – Kenny Chesney
My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
Own The Night – Lady Antebellum
For the full list of nominees in all categories, click here.
Source: AMC Country, Reuters