Nominees
Entertainer of the Year

Chris Stapleton


Eric Church


Luke Bryan


Luke Combs


Thomas Rhett

Female Artist of the Year

ASHLEY McBRYDE


Carly Pearce


Kelsea Ballerini


Maren Morris


Miranda Lambert

Male Artist of the Year

Chris Stapleton


Dierks Bentley


Eric Church


Luke Combs


Thomas Rhett

Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn


Brothers Osborne


Dan + Shay


Florida Georgia Line


Maddie & Tae

Group of the Year

Lady A


Little Big Town


Old Dominion


The Cadillac Three


The Highwomen

New Female Artist of the Year

Caylee Hammack


Gabby Barrett


Ingrid Andress


Mickey Guyton


Tenille Arts

New Male Artist of the Year

Cody Johnson


HARDY


Jimmie Allen


Parker McCollum


Travis Denning

Album of the Year
[AWARDED TO ARTIST(S)/PRODUCER(S)/RECORD COMPANY-LABEL(S)]

Born Here Live Here Die Here

Producer: Jeff Stevens
Producer: Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

Mixtape Vol. 1

Producer: Andrew Goldstein
Producer: Charlie Handsome
Producer: Dann Huff
Producer: Lindsay Rimes
Record Label: RCA Nashville

Never Will

Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

Skeletons

Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

Starting Over

Producer: Chris Stapleton
Producer: Dave Cobb
Record Label: Mercury Nashville
Single of the Year
[AWARDED TO ARTIST(S)/PRODUCER(S)/RECORD COMPANY-LABEL(S)]

Bluebird

Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville

I Hope

Producer: Ross Copperman
Producer: Zach Kale
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

I Hope You're Happy Now

Artist: Lee Brice
Producer: busbee
Record Label: Big Machine Records / Curb Records

More Hearts Than Mine

Producer: Ingrid Andress
Producer: Sam Ellis
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

The Bones

Producer: Greg Kurstin
Record Label: Columbia Nashville
Song of the Year
[AWARDED TO SONGWRITER(S)/PUBLISHER(S)/ARTIST(S)]

Bluebird

Songwriter: Luke Dick
Songwriter: Miranda Lambert
Songwriter: Natalie Hemby
Publisher: Emileon Songs
Publisher: Little Louder Songs
Publisher: Pink Dog Publishing
Publisher: Songs of Universal, INC
Publisher: Sony ATV Tree Publishing
Publisher: Wrucke for You Publishing

One Night Standards

Songwriter: Ashley McBryde
Songwriter: Nicolette Hayford
Songwriter: Shane McAnally
Publisher: Canned Biscuit Songs
Publisher: Smackworks Music
Publisher: Smack Blue, LLC
Publisher: Smackstreet Music
Publisher: Tempo Investments
Publisher: Warner Geo Met Ric Music
Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp

Some People Do

Songwriter: Jesse Frasure
Songwriter: Matt Ramsey
Songwriter: Thomas Rhett
Songwriter: Shane McAnally
Publisher: Carrot Seed Songs
Publisher: EMI Blackwood Music INC
Publisher: Smackville Music
Publisher: Songs of ROC Nation
Publisher: Telemitry Rhythm House Music
Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
Publisher: Smack Hits
Publisher: Tempo Investments
Publisher: Warner Gro Met Ric Music

Starting Over

Songwriter: Chris Stapleton
Songwriter: Mike Henderson
Publisher: I Wrote These Songs
Publisher: Straight Six Music
Publisher: WC Music Corp

The Bones

Songwriter: Jimmy Robbins
Songwriter: Maren Morris
Songwriter: Laura Veltz
Publisher: Big Machine Music, LLC
Publisher: Extraordinary Alien Publishing
Publisher: International Dog Music
Publisher: Oh Denise Publishing
Publisher: Round Hill Songs
Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Video of the Year
[AWARDED TO PRODUCER(S)/DIRECTOR(S)/ARTIST(S)]

Better Than We Found It

Director: Gabrielle Woodland
Producer: Sarah Kunin
Producer: Jennifer Pepke

Bluebird

Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: Heather Levenstone

Gone

Director: Wes Edwards
Director: Ed Pryor
Director: Travis Nicholson
Director: Running Bear
Director: Sam Siske
animation by Skylar Wilson
Producer: Lora Criner
Producer: Wilson

Hallelujah

Artist: John Legend
Director: Randee St. Nicholas
Producer: Grant Jue

Worldwide Beautiful

Director: Alex Alvga
Producer: Christen Pinkston
Music Event of the Year
[AWARDED TO ARTIST(S)/PRODUCER(S)/RECORD COMPANY-LABEL(S)]

Be A Light
feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban

feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
Artist: Reba McEntire
Artist: Hillary Scott
Artist: Chris Tomlin
Artist: Keith Urban
Producer: Dann Huff
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

Does To Me

Artist: Eric Church
Producer: Scott Moffatt
Record Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville

I Hope You're Happy Now

Artist: Lee Brice
Producer: busbee
Record Label: Big Machine Records / Curb Records

Nobody But You

Artist: Gwen Stefani
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

One Beer

Artist: Lauren Alaina
Artist: Devin Dawson
Producer: Derek Wells
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Loud Records

One Too Many

Artist: P!nk
Producer: Cutfather
Producer: Dan McCarroll
Producer: Keith Urban
Producer: PhD
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Songwriter of the Year

Ashley Gorley


Hillary Lindsey


Josh Osborne


HARDY


Shane McAnally

Studio Recording Award Nominees
Bass Player of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding session bass player, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album embodying the player's performance, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Glenn Worf
J.T. Cure
Mark Hill
Steve Mackey
Tony Lucido
Drummer of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding session drummer, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album embodying the player's performance, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Aaron Sterling
Derek Mixon
Evan Hutchings
Fred Eltringham
Jerry Roe
Guitar Player of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding session guitar player, in any capacity, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album embodying the player's performance, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Derek Wells
Ilya Toshinskiy
J.T. Corenflos
Jedd Hughes
Kris Donegan
Piano/Keys Player of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding session piano/keyboards player, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album embodying the player's performance, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Benmont Tench
Charlie Judge
Dave Cohen
David Dorn
Mike Rojas
Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding session specialty instrument(s) player, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album embodying the player's performance, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Alicia Enstrom
Danny Rader
Ilya Toshinskiy
Jim Hoke
Kristin Wilkinson
Mickey Raphael
Steel Guitar Player of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding session steel guitar player, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album embodying the player's performance, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Dan Dugmore
Justin Schipper
Mike Johnson
Russ Pahl
Spencer Cullum
Audio Engineer of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding audio engineer, primarily involved in the recording and/or mixing process, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album crediting the outstanding audio engineer, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
F. Reid Shippen
Gena Johnson
Jason Hall
Jeff Balding
Vance Powell
Producer of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding producer, selected by a Professional Panel of judges approved by the ACM officers. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single or album crediting the producer, which achieves Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase Country charts during the current eligibility period. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible in this category. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its largest annual charting position during the eligibility period according to Nielsen SoundScan, it is eligible. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Buddy Cannon
Dann Huff
Dave Cobb
Jay Joyce
Joey Moi
Radio Award Nominees
National On-Air Personality of the Year
Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas, Carsen
Cody Alan
Kix Brooks
Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase
Paul Koffy, Jasmine Sadry, Josh Jensen
On-Air Personality of the Year - Major Market
Broadway
Chris Carr & Company - Chris Carr, Kia Becht, McKaila Poppen
Double-L – Lois Lewis
Tanner in the Morning - Rob Tanner, Catherine Lane, Chris Allen, Captain Jim
The Morning Bull - George, Mo, Cowboy Dave
On-Air Personality of the Year - Large Market
Dave & Deb - Dave Gunderson, Deb Turpin
Lexi & Banks - Lexi Papadopoulos, Jared Banks
Mad Dawg
Obie & Ashley – Obie Diaz, Ashley Morrison
The Wake Up Call - Kelli Green, David Bugenske
On-Air Personality of the Year - Medium Market
Buzz Jackson
Geoff Emery
Mo & Styckman
Scott & Sarah in the Morning - Scott Wynn, Sarah Kay
Steve Lundy and Gina Melton
On-Air Personality of the Year - Small Market
Barrett, Fox & Berry - Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, Tracy Berry
Dr. Shane and Tess in the Morning - 'Dr.' Shane Collins, Tess Connell
Erin and Matt In The Morning – Erin Hart, Matt Sharp
Steve, Ben and Nikki - Steve Stroud, Ben Walker and Nikki Thomas
The Philip Gibbons Show - Philip Gibbons
Radio Station of the Year - Major Market
KKBQ-FM
KNIX-FM
KSON-FM
WKLB-FM
WXTU-FM
Radio Station of the Year - Large Market
KNCI-FM
KSOP-FM
WDSY-FM
WQDR-FM
WSIX-FM
Radio Station of the Year - Medium Market
KSKS-FM
KUZZ-AM/FM
KXKT-FM
WHKO-FM
WIVK-FM
Radio Station of the Year - Small Market