Keith Urban To Host ACMs, Nominations Announced

CBS and the Academy of Country Music today announced that reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and 15-time ACM Award-winner Keith Urban will host the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards, honoring the biggest names and emerging talent in the Country Music industry.

The awards show will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 5 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network and be available to stream live and on-demand across digital platforms on the CBS All Access subscription service. This will be Urban’s first time hosting the ACM Awards.

“As if having a new song out today wasn’t enough, I also get to host the ACM Awards in April,” said Urban. “I’ll tell you - this year already feels like the most creative and energized year of my life... and there’s so much more to come. Incredibly grateful - and ready to roll!”

Nominees were revealed online via the ACM Awards Nominations Digital Press Conference held this morning. Urban along with ACM Award-winning artist Lauren Alaina, this year’s ACM Radio Award National On-Air Personality of the Year winner Bobby Bones, Entertainment Tonight’s Cassie DiLaura and Kevin Frazier, CBS This Morning’s Gayle King and reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Ashley McBryde all announced select categories via video postings to the Academy’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. It was also announced today Lauren Alaina will be participating in this year’s telecast as the official Backstage Announcer for the 55th ACM Awards.

Maren Morris earned five nominations in four categories, including her fourth Female Artist of the Year nomination and first Group of the Year nomination as a member of The Highwomen. She is also nominated in the Album of the Year category twice, as both artist and producer, for GIRL. Additionally, Morris is nominated for Music Event of the Year for “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” with Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack and Elle King.

Reigning Male Artist of the Year Thomas Rhett received five nominations in four categories, including his first-ever Entertainer of the Year nomination. Rhett is also nominated twice, as both artist and producer, for his album Center Point Road in the Album of the Year category. Additionally, he received his first Video of the Year nomination for “Remember You Young,” and his fourth Male Artist of the Year nomination.

Following is the list of nominees for the Major Awards:


ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Carrie Underwood

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
The Highwomen

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Lindsay Ell
Caylee Hammack
Tenille Townes

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jordan Davis
Russell Dickerson
Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Morgan Wallen

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett
GIRL – Maren Morris

Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi

What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
Wildcard – Miranda Lambert

SINGLE OF THD YEAR 

[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

God’s Country – Blake Shelton
One Man Band – Old Dominion

Rainbow – Kacey Musgraves
Rumor – Lee Brice
What If I Never Get Over You – Lady Antebellum

SONG OF THE YEAR 

[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
God’s Country – Blake Shelton
One Man Band – Old Dominion
Some Of It – Eric Church

VIDEO OF THE YEAR 

[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
God’s Country – Blake Shelton
One Man Band – Old Dominion
Remember You Young – Thomas Rhett
Sugar Coat – Little Big Town