By Kristin M. Hall
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) --Chris Stapleton and Dan + Shay lead the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards with six nominations each while Grammy album of the year winner Kacey Musgraves comes in with five nominations.
Reba McEntire, who is hosting the show for a record 16th time, announced the nominees in top categories on "CBS This Morning" on Wednesday.
The top category, entertainer of the year, is all male for the second year in a row, which includes Stapleton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. And Musgraves is the sole female artist in the album of the year category along with Stapleton, Dan + Shay, Eric Church and Dierks Bentley.
The ACMs will be aired on CBS on April 7 from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
Stapleton is nominated twice as producer and artist for album of the year for "From A Room: Volume 2," which he won last year for "From A Room: Volume 1." He also seeks to win his second consecutive male artist of the year trophy and is nominated twice for song of the year for "Broken Halos," for which he is also nominated as a producer.
Dan + Shay could make good on their first Grammy win for country song of the year for "Tequila," which has earned them three nominations as a duo at the ACMs. They are also nominated for vocal duo of the year, album of the year for their self-titled release and musical event of the year for a duet with Kelly Clarkson. Dan Smyers earned four individual nominations for his work as a producer and songwriter.
Musgraves beat out the biggest-selling albums of the year by Cardi B and Drake for album of the year at this year's Grammy Awards, but her lack of airplay meant she missed out on a single of the year nomination at the ACMs. She won four total Grammys this year, including best country album and best country song.
She is nominated twice as producer and artist for album of the year for "Golden Hour," and twice for song of the year for "Space Cowboy," which only reached top 30 on Billboard's Hot Country chart. She's also nominated for female artist of the year.
Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Bebe Rexha also had four nominations each.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More