Stapleton, Dan + Shay, Fitchuk top ACM nominations

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 – Chris Stapleton. Dan + Shay and Ian Fitchuk led the Academy of Country Music nominations with six apiece.

Kacey Musgraves scored five nominations, while Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Bebe Rexha and Brothers Osborne had four apiece.

The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards will be held in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. eastern/Pacific on CBS.

This year will mark the return of the ACM Artist of the Decade Honor, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Only five other honorees have received this award, including Marty Robbins in 1969, Loretta Lynn in 1979, Alabama in 1988, Garth Brooks in 1998 and George Strait in 2009.

Stapleton was nominated for the second time for Entertainer of the Year. Stapleton is also nominated twice, as both artist and producer, for his album "From A Room: Volume 2" in the Album of the Year category, which he won last year for "From A Room: Volume 1." He also is nominated for Song of the Year twice, as both artist and songwriter, for "Broken Halos" and Male Artist of the Year.

Dan + Shay earned their sixth nod for Duo of the Year. They received nominations in the Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year categories for "Tequila." Dan + Shay are also nominated for Album of the Year for "Dan + Shay" and Music Event of the Year for "Keeping Score" (featuring Kelly Clarkson). Additionally, Dan Smyers received three individual nominations as a producer in the Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year categories and as a writer in the Song of the Year category for "Tequila."

A first-time Academy of Country Music Award nominee, Fitchuk received six nominations, including a nod for Album of the Year with Kacey Musgraves as a producer for"Golden Hour." Fitchuk also received five nominations across Studio Recording Award categories, including Bass Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year and Producer of the Year.

Musgraves was nominated for Artist of the Year along with two in the Album of the Year Category as both artist and producer, for "Golden Hour." She also was nominated for Song of the Year category twice, as both artist and songwriter, for "Space Cowboy." Musgraves most recently won in 2016 in the Video of the Year category for "Forever Country" and previously won in the Album of the Year category in 2013 for "Same Trailer Different Park."

Nominees are:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
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
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae

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

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Danielle Bradbery
Lindsay Ell
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jimmie Allen
Luke Combs
Jordan Davis
Michael Ray
Mitchell Tenpenny

NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
High Valley
LANCO
Runaway June

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
Dan + Shay - Dan + Shay o Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers / Matt Dragstrem o Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
Desperate Man - Eric Church o Producers: Jay Joyce / Arturo Buenahora Jr. o Record Label: EMI Records Nashville
From A Room: Volume 2 - Chris Stapleton o Producers: Dave Cobb / Chris Stapleton o Record Label: Mercury Nashville
Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves o Producers: Ian Fitchuk / Daniel Tashian / Kacey Musgraves o Record Label: MCA Nashville
The Mountain - Dierks Bentley o Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr. o Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
Down to the Honky Tonk - Jake Owen o Producer: Joey Moi o Record Label: Big Loud Records
Heaven - Kane Brown o Producer: Dann Huff / Polow Da Don o Record Label: RCA Nashville
Meant To Be - Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line o Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent o Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
Most People Are Good - Luke Bryan o Producers: Jeff Stevens / Jody Stevens o Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Tequila - Dan + Shay o Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers o Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
Break Up In The End - Cole Swindell o Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon / Chase McGill / Jon Nite o Publishers: EMI April Music Inc. / Nite Writer Music (ASCAP) / Songs of Universal, Inc. / Plum Nelly (BMI) / Big Music Machine (BMI)/ Big Ass Pile Of Dimes Music (BMI)
Broken Halos - Chris Stapleton o Writers: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton o Publishers: WB Music Corp./House of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights/Spirit Catalog Holdings, S.a.r.l. admin. by Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP); Straight Six Music (BMI)
Meant To Be - Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line o Writers: David Garcia, Tyler Hubbard, Joshua Miller, Bebe Rexha o Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kiss Me If You Can Music (BMI) (all rights administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC) Big Loud Mountain (BMI) and T Hubb Publishing (BMI). All Rights Administered by Round Hill Works. Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. on behalf of itself and Songs of the Corn and Jack 10 Publishing. Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)
Space Cowboy - Kacey Musgraves o Writers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves o Publishers: Smack Hits/Smack Songs, admin by Kobalt Music Group ltd. (GMR); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative NBaSmack Hits/Smack Songs, LLC, admin. by Kobalt Music Group Ltd. (GMR); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative Nation/Jake and Mack Music, admin. by Universal Music Works; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./351 Music (BMI).
Tequila - Dan + Shay o Writers: Nicolle Galyon / Jordan Reynolds / Dan Smyers o Publishers: Beats and Banjos (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), A Girl Named Charlie (BMI) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Buckeye26 (ASCAP) / Jreynmusic (ASCAP)
Yours - Russell Dickerson o Writers: Casey Brown / Russell Dickerson / Parker Welling o Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kailey's Dream / So Essential Tunes / Not Just Another Song Publishing / Hillbilly Science and Research Publishing/Trailerlily Music

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
Babe - Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift o Producer: Roger Hunt o Director: Anthony Mandler
Burn Out - Midland o Producer: Ben Skipworth o Director: TK McKamy / Cameron Duddy
Burning Man - Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne o Producer: Nate Eggert o Director: Wes Edwards
Drunk Girl - Chris Janson o Producer: Ben Skipworth o Director: Jeff Venable
Shoot Me Straight - Brothers Osborne o Producer: April Kimbrell o Director: Wes Edwards / Ryan Silver
Tequila - Dan + Shay o Producer: Christen Pinkston o Director: Patrick Tracy

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)
Ross Copperman
Ashley Gorley
Shane McAnally
Chase McGill
Josh Osborne

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
Burning Man - Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne o Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr. o Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Drowns the Whiskey - Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert o Producer: Michael Knox o Record Labels: Macon Music, LLC; Broken Bow Records; BBR Music Group; BMG
Everything's Gonna Be Alright - David Lee Murphy featuring Kenny Chesney o Producers: Buddy Cannon / Kenny Chesney / David Lee Murphy o Record Label: Reviver Records
Keeping Score - Dan + Shay featuring Kelly Clarkson o Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers o Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
Meant To Be - Bebe Rexha Featuring Florida Georgia Line o Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent o Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

INDUSTRY AWARDS:

CASINO OF THE YEAR - SMALL CAPACITY
Choctaw Casino & Resort - Durant, OK
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort - Cherokee, NC
The Joint: Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
Peppermill Reno - Reno, NV
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort - Mt. Pleasant, MI

CASINO OF THE YEAR - LARGE CAPACITY
Casino Rama - Orillia, ON
Grand Casino Hinckley - Hinckley, MN
Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, CT
Sandia Casino Amphitheater - Albuquerque, NM
WinStar Global Event Center - Thackerville, OK

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Boots & Hearts - Oro-Medonte, ON
Faster Horses - Brooklyn, MI
Stagecoach - Indio, CA
Tortuga Music Festival - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Windy City Smokeout - Chicago, IL

Dusty Armadillo - Rootstown, OH
Grizzly Rose - Denver, CO
Joe's on Weed St - Chicago, IL
Joe's Live - Rosemont, IL
Stoney's Rockin' Country - Las Vegas, NV

VENUE OF THE YEAR - SMALL CAPACITY
House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
House of Blues - Boston, MA
Floore's - Helotes, TX
Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
Surf Ballroom - Clear Lake, IA

VENUE OF THE YEAR - MEDIUM CAPACITY
Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Morrison, CO
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion - Gilford, NH
Ascend Amphitheater - Nashville, TN
The Wharf Amphitheater - Orange Beach, AL
The Anthem - Washington, DC

VENUE OF THE YEAR - LARGE CAPACITY
Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
BOK Center - Tulsa, OK
Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON
PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center - Noblesville, IN

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Todd Boltin - Variety Attractions
Billy Brill - Billy Alan Productions
Gil Cunningham - Neste Event Marketing
Kell Houston - Houston Productions
Nicole More - Wilson Events, Inc.

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brent Fedrizzi - AEG Presents
Stacy Vee - Goldenvoice
Ed Warm - Joe's Bar
Adam Weiser - AEG Presents
Jason Wright - Live Nation

STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS:

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Brignardello
JT Cure
Ian Fitchuk
Tony Lucido
Glenn Worf

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Matt Chamberlain
Ian Fitchuk
Evan Hutchings
Aaron Sterling
Nir Z

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tom Bukovac
Jedd Hughes
Danny Rader
Adam Shoenfeld
Ilya Toshinsky
Derek Wells

PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dave Cohen
David Dorn
Ian Fitchuk
Tony Harrell
Charlie Judge
Gordon Mote

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ian Fitchuk
Jenee Fleenor
Carl Miner
Mickey Raphael
Ilya Toshinsky

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Dugmore
Steve Hinson
Mike Johnson
Russ Pahl
Justin Schipper

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Craig Alvin
Ryan Gore
Jeff Juliano
Vance Powell
F Reid Shippen

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Buddy Cannon
Ian Fitchuk
Dann Huff
Jay Joyce
Michael Knox

ACM RADIO AWARDS: The following previously announced radio awards will be presented during the annual Radio Winners Reception which will be held on Saturday, April 6 in Las Vegas.

NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (tie within category increased nominees)
Cody Alan - CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan
Kix Brooks - American Country Countdown
Darren Wilhite and Tim Wall - Wilhite & Wall
Lon Helton - Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton
Tracy Lawrence - Honky Tonkin' with Tracy Lawrence
Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase - The Crook & Chase Countdown

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR - MAJOR MARKET
Chuck, Rachael & Grunwald in the Morning - WYCD-FM (Detroit, MI)
Katie Neal - WNSH-FM (New York, NY)
The Rob + Holly Show - WYCD-FM (Detroit, MI)
Tanner in the Morning - Rob Tanner, Catherine Lane, Chris Allen, Captain Jim, and Mimi - WSOC-FM (Charlotte, NC)
Tracy Dixon, Guy David & Patrick Knight - KYGO-FM (Denver, CO)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR - LARGE MARKET
Jim, Deb & Kevin - WFMS-FM (Indianapolis, IN)
Lexi And Banks - KUBL-FM (Salt Lake City, UT)
Q Morning Crew with Mike and Janie - WQDR-FM (Raleigh, NC)
Ridder, Scott and Shannen - WMIL-FM (Milwaukee, WI)
Tige & Daniel - Tige Rogers, Daniel Baker, Mari Mueller - WSIX-FM (Nashville, TN)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR - MEDIUM MARKET
Kenn McCloud - KUZZ-AM/FM (Bakersfield, CA)
Brent Michaels - KUZZ-AM/FM (Bakersfield, CA)
Mo & StykMan Show - WUSY-FM (Chattanooga, TN)
Roger, Julie and DJ Thee Trucker in the Morning - WPCV-FM (Lakeland, FL)
Tom & Becky - WBBS-FM (Syracuse, NY)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR - SMALL MARKET
Adam & Jen in the Morning - KIOK-FM (Richland, WA)
Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton - WYCT-FM (Pensacola, FL)
The Q Crew with Jason and Ashley on Q100.3 - KRWQ-FM (Medford, OR)
The Roger & Corliss Morning Show - KORA-FM (Bryan, TX)
Scotty & Catryna in the Morning - KCLR-FM (Columbia, MO)

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR - MAJOR MARKET
KKBQ-FM - Houston, TX
KNIX-FM - Phoenix, AZ
KPLX-FM - Dallas, TX
KSCS-FM - Dallas, TX
WYCD-FM - Detroit, MI

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR - LARGE MARKET
KAJA-FM - San Antonio, TX
KUBL-FM - Salt Lake City, UT
WLHK-FM - Indianapolis, IN
WMIL-FM - Milwaukee, WI
WWKA-FM - Orlando, FL

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR - MEDIUM MARKET
KATM-FM - Stockton, CA
KUZZ-AM/FM - Bakersfield, CA
KXKT-FM - Omaha, NE
WHKO-FM - Dayton, OH
WIVK-FM - Knoxville, TN

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR - SMALL MARKET
KHAY-FM - Ventura, CA
KKNU-FM - Eugene, OR
KORA-FM - Bryan, TX
WGSQ-FM - Cookeville, TN
WYCT-FM - Pensacola, FL