The ACM nominations were announced yesterday . . . and leading the pack are Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, and Old Dominion with five each.  Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber, and Blake Shelton each picked up four.

 

 

Justin Bieber showed up because of his collaboration with Dan + Shay on "10,000 Hours".  That song also got Dan Smyers two additional nominations, as a songwriter and producer . . . and Shay Mooney an extra nod as songwriter.

 

 

Carrie Underwood has returned to the Entertainer of the Year category.  She's joined by Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, and Thomas Rhett.  Carrie won that award in 2008 and 2009.

 

 

Ashley McBryde has three nominations.  She's up for artist and songwriter for "Girl Goin' Nowhere" . . . and she's one of six singers sharing the Music Event of the Year nomination for "Fooled Around and Fell in Love". 

 

 

Keith Urban is hosting the show for the first time.  He's taking over for Reba McEntire who did it 16 times.  (Here's Keith killing two birds with one stone by announcing his new song "God Whispered Your Name", and that he's hosting the ACMs.)

 

BIG NEWS! Just dropped a new song “God Whispered Your Name” AND I’ll be hosting the @ACMAwards on April 5th!! #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/Wq1LZClshU

— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) February 27, 2020

 

The "55th Academy of Country Music Awards" will air April 5th on CBS. 

 

 

(You can check out all the nominees, here.)