Brad Paisley leads the nominees for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards with six nods, including top male vocalist and entertainer of the year.

Nominations were announced during a press conference today (Wednesday) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

Former Trick Pony lead singer Heidi Newfield was close behind with five nods stemming from her solo debut, “What Am I Waiting For,” while newcomer Jamey Johnson received four nominations.

Paisley and Newfield both have songs competing in the song of the year category, “Waitin’ on a Woman” and “Johnny and June,” respectively. Also up for that award are George Strait’s “I Saw God Today,” Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” and Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This.”

Besides Paisley, other acts up for the coveted entertainer of the year title are Kenny Chesney, who has won in the category for the past four years, Strait, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood. For the second year, the winner will be decided by fans voting online at voteACM.com and texting during the broadcast.

Fans are also being asked to cast their votes in the three newcomer categories: top new female, top new male and top new vocal duo or group. Voting, which will begin at GACTV.com on Feb. 13 and close on March 5, will determine the winner in each of the three categories, to be announced March 9.

Those winners will then compete in a new ACM Awards category, top new artist.

Click here for the list of nominees at the ACM website. Nominees for album of the year will be announced in March.

The 44th Annual ACM Awards will air live on CBS from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 5.






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