The Academy of Country Music took a different approach to naming the nominations for the 2012 ACM Awards, inciting a first-time digital press conference via their Facebook page, as opposed to simply posting a list of hopefuls. With help from folks like Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie, Nancy O’Dell of ‘Entertainment Tonight’ and more, the red carpet was rolled out for this year’s event.

2012 will be a big one for Kenny Chesney if he takes home even half of the awards he’s up for. The ‘You and Tequila’ duet star roped in a total of nine nominations, including several for his collaboration with Grace Potter — as well as Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year.

Jason Aldean came in behind Chesney at six nods — he’s also up for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year, plus a few for his song ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ with pop’s Kelly Clarkson. Lady Antebellum are going strong with five potential awards, while Brad Paisley received four (two in one category!) and Taylor Swift topped the solo females with three nominations to her name.

The Academy’s New Artist of the Year Award nominees are being kept under lock and key until Jan. 30. The 2012 ACM Awards will air live, with Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton as hosts, on April 1 on CBS.

2012 ACM Awards Nominees:

Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Blake Shelton

Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist of the Year

Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Blake Shelton

Chris Young

Female Vocalist of the Year

Sara Evans

Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

Vocal Duo of the Year

Love and Theft

Montgomery Gentry

Steel Magnolia

Sugarland

Thompson Square

Vocal Group of the Year

The Band Perry

Eli Young Band

Lady Antebellum

Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

Album of the Year

Eric Church, ‘Chief’

Miranda Lambert, ‘Four the Record’

Kenny Chesney, ‘Hemmingway’s Whiskey’

Jason Aldean, ‘My Kinda Party’

Lady Antebellum, ‘Own the Night’

New Artist of the Year

TBA on Jan. 30

Vocal Event of the Year

Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels, ‘Country Boy’

Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’

Brad Paisley feat. Alabama, ‘Old Alabama’

Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood, ‘Remind Me’

Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’

Video of the Year

Jason Aldean, ‘Tattoos on This Town’

Eric Church, ‘Homeboy’

Toby Keith, ‘Red Solo Cup’

Lady Antebellum, ‘Just a Kiss’

Taylor Swfit, ‘Mean’

Single Record of the Year

Eli Young Band, ‘Crazy Girl’

Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’

Toby Keith, ‘Red Solo Cup’

Chris Young, ‘Tomorrow’

Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’

Song of the Year

Eli Young Band, ‘Crazy Girl’

Dierks Bentley, ‘Home’

Lady Antebellum, ‘Just a Kiss’

Vince Gill, ‘Threaten Me With Heaven’

Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’

Songwriter of the Year

Rhett Akins

Dallas Davidson

Ben Hayslip

Luke Laird

David Lee Murphy

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