Monday, December 6, 2010

First-Ever American Country Awards Taking Place Tonight

Lady Antebellum and Easton Corbin lead the way heading into the first-ever American Country Awards. They share top nominee status for the inaugural event, with seven bids apiece. Lady A is in the running for the top prize of Artist of the Year, as well as Artist of the Year: Duo or Group. They're also up for Album of the Year with "Need You Now," while the CD's title track has given the group nods in four more categories. Corbin is vying for Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist honors. He's also earned recognition for his debut hit "A Little More Country Than That." Carrie Underwood is another big contender with six nominations, including Artist of the Year, while Miranda Lambert and Josh Turner each have five chances to win. Corbin is also slated to perform at the event, along with Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, and Steel Magnolia. Lady A is on board for the ceremony as well. Other participants include Jewel, The Band Perry, Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Uncle Kracker, and Bret Michaels. Trace Adkins will host the show, which will also include a tribute to Alan Jackson. The fan-voted American Country Awards honors performers, albums, songs, music videos, and tours. The inaugural American Country Awards will air on Fox live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The two-hour ceremony begins Monday night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Nominees for the American Country Awards

ARTIST

Artist of the Year

Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Male

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban

Artist of the Year: Female

Jewel
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group

Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist

Easton Corbin
Danny Gokey
Jaron and The Long Road To Love
Jerrod Niemann
The Band Perry

ALBUMS

Album of the Year

"Doin' My Thing," Luke Bryan
"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
"Revolution," Miranda Lambert
"Haywire," Josh Turner
"Play On," Carrie Underwood

SINGLES

Single of the Year

"Do I," Luke Bryan
"A Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin
"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
"Gimmie That Girl," Joe Nichols
"Why Don't We Just Dance," Josh Turner

Single of the Year: Male

"Do I," Luke Bryan
"Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin
"That's How Country Boys Roll," Billy Currington
"Gimmie That Girl," Joe Nichols
"Why Don't We Just Dance," Josh Turner

Single of the Year: Female

"White Liar," Miranda Lambert
"Wrong Baby Wrong," Martina McBride
"Consider Me Gone," Reba McEntire
"Didn't Know How Much I Loved You," Kellie Pickler
"Cowboy Casanova," Carrie Underwood

Single of the Year: Duo or Group

"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
"Little White Church," Little Big Town
"Unstoppable," Rascal Flatts
"Keep On Lovin' You," Steel Magnolia
"Toes," Zac Brown Band

Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist

"Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin
"Pray for You," Jaron and The Long Road To Love
"Lover, Lover," Jerrod Niemann
"Keep on Lovin' You," Steel Magnolia
"Beer on the Table," Josh Thompson

TOURING

Touring Artist of the Year

Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Martina McBride & Trace Adkins
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait & Reba McEntire
Sugarland
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

VIDEOS

Music Video of the Year

"A Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin
"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
"Hillbilly Bone," Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
"Why Don't We Just Dance," Josh Turner
"The Man I Want To Be," Chris Young

Music Video: Male

"A Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin
"Southern Voice," Tim McGraw
"Hillbilly Bone," Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
"Why Don't We Just Dance," Josh Turner
"The Man I Want To Be," Chris Young

Music Video: Female

"White Liar," Miranda Lambert
"Consider Me Gone," Reba McEntire
"Didn't Know How Much I Loved You," Kellie Pickler
"Cowboy Casanova," Carrie Underwood
"Work Hard, Play Harder," Gretchen Wilson

Music Video: Duo or Group

"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
"Little White Church," Little Big Town
"Unstoppable," Rascal Flatts
"Keep on Lovin' You," Steel Magnolia
"Highway 20 Ride," Zac Brown Band

Music Video: Breakthrough Artist

"Giddy On Up," Laura Bell Bundy
"A Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin
"Lover, Lover," Jerrod Niemann
"Keep on Lovin' You," Steel Magnolia
"If I Die Young," The Band Perry

Greatest Hits Award

Alan Jackson