Academy of Country Music Awards

The 41st Academy of Country Music Awards will air April 5 on CBS

The Academy of Country Music Awards is just around the corner. On February 11, the lovely Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Jessica Simpson announced the 2009 slate of nominations for the 41st awards show to be held on Sunday, April 5, 2009 and broadcasted live on The CBS Network from the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. (Local: CBS2 WBBM)

For the first time ever, the three newcomer categories for the Annual Academy of Country Music Awards – Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group – will be opened up to interactive fan voting on GACTV.com. The winners will then move on to compete in a new category, Top New Artist.

For the second year, fans will also select the winner of the Academy’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year. Online voting will be available at www.voteACM.com and the winners of each category will be announced live during the awards show.

Quick summary of nominations:

Brad Paisley leads with 6 nominations; Heidi Newfield receives 5 nominations; Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson and George Strait each receive 4 nominations; Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban each receive 3 nominations; Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, James Otto, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift and Sugarland each receive 2 nominations.

For a complete list of nominees and photos from the announcement press conference, visit http://www.acmcountry.com/awards/nominees.php

Stay tuned to CountryMusicChicago.com for a more news regarding the 41st Academy of Country Music Awards. Sign-up for our eNewsletter here.