For the first time ever, the Academy of Country Music is taking a totally different spin on the way they unroll their awards. This year, they’re hitting the internet and announcing the 2012 ACM Awards nominees on Facebook and Twitter, with the bulk of the nominations being unveiled during a digital press conference on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 AM PT.

Co-hosting the awards this year will be Reba McEntire and her friend and fellow country great Blake Shelton. Because of the nature of the announcement of nominees, fans are able to feel much more involved in the overall process, even before the show airs.

To further engage fans, the Academy is offering up a chance for a few fortunate fans to announce the nominees for Entertainer of the Year. For a chance to be one of the chosen few, a fan just has to submit a video of himself or herself announcing the artist they think deserves the title this year. The Academy will choose a few to air during the press conference on Jan. 26.

This year marks the 47th year of the ACM Awards, which will take place Sunday, April 1 at 8PM ET at MGM’s Grand Garden Arena and be featured on a live broadcast on CBS.

Watch Video of Reba McEntire Talking about 2012 ACM Awards

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