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NOW YOU KNOW....Eric Church led the pack with seven nominations for the 48th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Eric was followed by Hunter Hayes with six. Other top nominees are Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift with five each.


Blake Shelton will return for his third consecutive turn hosting the show, joined by Luke Bryan as co-host.The 48th annual show ACM Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 7 on CBS.




Here is the list of Major Award Catagories:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Miranda Lambert
• Blake Shelton
• Taylor Swift

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Eric Church
• Toby Keith
• Blake Shelton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Kacey Musgraves
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• The Band Perry
• Eli Young Band
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Lee Brice
• Brantley Gilbert
• Hunter Hayes

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Jana Kramer
• Kacey Musgraves
• Sunny Sweeney

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Big & Rich
• Florida Georgia Line
• Love and Theft
• Sugarland
• Thompson Square

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Florida Georgia Line
• Love and Theft
• Thompson Square

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR [Winners of New Male, New Female & New Vocal Duo or Group  Of The Year]

• Florida Georgia Line
• Brantley Gilbert
• Jana Kramer

Click here for a copmplete list of catagories and nominees