Last year the ACM Top New Aritsts in the Solo (male and female) and Group or Duo categories were picked by the fans and industry and that will continue this year as they announced the six finalists for the two categories after refining the hybrid voting which polls both the industry and fans alike. For the 46th Annual Country Music Awards, set to be broadcast on CBS on April 3, 2011, the categories were refined even more as gone are separate Duo and Group awards, joining a leaner set and more competitive set of nominees.
The nominees were chosen by ACM’s professional members and winners are then decided by both the fans and industry peers. The winners of both categories will then compete for the one Top New Artist prize, an award that went to Luke Bryan last year. The complete list of nominees will be unleashed in February.
GAC will create several stand-alone specials, including a show featuring all the nominees from the two Top New categories. “ACM Showcase,” hosted by Luke Bryan, will feature all six nominees, three from each of the two newcomer categories, and will premiere Jan. 27 at 10:00 PM ET. Another show featuring the winners who will compete for the Top New Artist honor is also planned.
Voting Schedules
Fan voting, on both sites, opens on Jan. 27 and closes Feb. 24, at 9 am PST. The winner in each category will be announced in March and then move on to compete for Top New Artist. The voting for Top New Artist begins March 11 and closes on April 3. The winner will be announced live on the TV broadcast.
The Solo Artist category features Eric Church, Easton Corbin (pictured) and Randy Houser. The Top New Vocal Duo or Group features The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia and the JaneDear girls.
Our initial reaction is that this award will be a battle between Easton Corbin and The Band Perry with The Band Perry likely walking home with the Top New Artist award.
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