The Academy of Country Music just announced the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards nominees — and the only controversy here is how competitive the categories are! LOLz!
Country newcomer Chris Stapleton leads the pack this year with Eric Church — who scored five nominations each!
Trailing close behind with four nods each are Cam, Chris Young, and Little Big Town!
And let’s not forget about Miranda Lambert — who is up for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year for her performance of Smokin’ and Drinkin’ with Little Big Town!
Photo: Miranda & Anderson East Write During Their Tennessee Getaway!
Like we said — the competition is as FIERCE as the red carpet is going to be!
Check out the full list of nominees (below) and watch Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley host the 51st annual ACM Awards on April 3 at 8:00 p.m. EST on CBS!
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Brett Eldredge
Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Jana Kramer
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brett Eldredge
Chris Janson
Thomas Rhett
Chase Rice
Chris Stapleton
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Cam
Mickey Guyton
RaeLynn
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
A Thousand Horses
Brothers Osborne
Maddie & Tae
Old Dominion
Parmalee
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I’m Comin’ Over ├óΓé¼ΓÇ£ Chris Young
Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Mr. Misunderstood — Eric Church
Tangled Up — Thomas Rhett
Traveller — Chris Stapleton
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
Burning House — Cam
Buy Me a Boat — Chris Janson
Die a Happy Man — Thomas Rhett
Girl Crush — Little Big Town
I’m Comin’ Over — Chris Young
Take Your Time — Sam Hunt
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Biscuits — Kacey Musgraves
Burning House — Cam
Girl Crush — Little Big Town
Mr. Misunderstood — Eric Church
Riser — Dierks Bentley
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Hangover Tonight — Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton
Home Alone Tonight — Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild
Raise ├óΓé¼╦£Em Up — Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
Smokin’ and Drinkin’ — Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town
Wild Child — Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter
[Image via Judy Eddy/Apega/WENN.]