Chesney, Atkins up for country music awards

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kenny Chesney leads all nominees at the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards with 11 and can tie Garth Brooks by winning his fourth straight entertainer of the year trophy.

Hosted by Reba McEntire, the awards air live Sunday from the MGM Grand at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

Other leading nominees are Rodney Atkins with six, and Brad Paisley, Big & Rich and Sugarland with four apiece.

If Chesney wins the coveted entertainer award, he would tie Brooks and trail only Alabama, which holds the record with five in a row.

Fans will choose this year's winner, the first time that's happened. All other categories are decided by ACM members.

Chesney's other nominations are for top male vocalist, song and video of the year for "Don't Blink" and vocal event for "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw.

He received double nominations for artist and producer for "Shift Work" with George Strait, as well as for "Don't Blink" for single of the year and "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates" for album of the year.

Atkins and Taylor Swift are the year's breakout artists.

Atkins' sophomore album, "If You're Going Through Hell," produced four No. 1 hits: "Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)," "These Are My People," "Watching You," and "If You're Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows)."

That's a remarkable feat for an artist in any musical genre.

His nominations include top male vocalist, song of the year and album of the year.

Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Swift might be country's hottest act at the moment, coming off big wins at last month's Country Music Television awards and appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine's "Best of Rock" issue.

Her self-titled debut has sold 3 million copies.

Swift's three nominations tie her with Miranda Lambert as the night's most nominated woman and include top female vocalist and album of the year.

ACM voters have a history of rewarding new artists who have breakout years. Last year, Carrie Underwood took home top female vocalist, album and video of the year honors.

Other artists to watch Sunday are Brooks & Dunn, who are going for their 13th consecutive top vocal duo honor; and Rascal Flatts, which is in the running for its sixth straight win for top vocal group.

From: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j71NflP9VhsZoDwiD7y7olt7mQBAD90O7JP80
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