[ASCAP Nashville]

Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley Lead ASCAP ACM Awards Nominations

ASCAP's country music writers and artists dominated the nominations for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which were announced on March 2nd, 2010, in New York City. Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley led ASCAP nominees with four each, sharing the categories Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist of the Year. Kenny Chesney also picked up a nomination for Vocal Event of the Year for "I'm Alive," while Brad Paisley was tapped for Album of the Year with American Saturday Night and Video of the Year with "Welcome To The Future."

Repeat nominees and past ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO panelists Joey + Rory received two nominations, including both Top Vocal Duo of the Year and Top New Vocal Duo of the Year. Other multiple nominees include Frank Liddell with four, while Steel Magnolia, Billy Currington, Mark Bright, and Buddy Cannon picked up two nods apiece.

The ceremony, which honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be hosted for an unprecedented 12th time by ASCAP Member Reba McEntire, and will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 18th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

ASCAP's 2010 Academy of Country Music Awards nominees are:
Entertainer Of The Year

Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Top Male Vocalist Of The Year

Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Top Female Vocalist Of The Year

Reba McEntire
Lee Ann Womack
Top Vocal Group Of The Year

Rascal Flatts
Top Vocal Duo Of The Year

Joey + Rory
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Top New Solo Vocalist Of The Year

Chris Young
Top New Vocal Duo Of The Year

Joey + Rory
Steel Magnolia
Top New Vocal Group of the Year

Gloriana
Album of the Year

American Saturday Night
Artist: Brad Paisley
Producers: Chris DuBois, Frank Rogers

Lady Antebellum
Producer: Paul Worley

Play On
Producer: Mark Bright
"Quitter" - Producers: Max Martin (STIM/ASCAP), Mark Bright

Revolution
Producer: Frank Liddell
Single Record of the Year

"Need You Now"
Producer: Paul Worley

"People Are Crazy"
Artist and Producer: Billy Currington

"Red Light"
Artist: David Nail
Producer: Frank Liddell

"White Liar"
Producer: Frank Liddell
Song of the Year

"Cowboy Casanova"
Composers: Mike Elizondo, Brett James

"Need You Now"
Composer: Josh Kear

"People Are Crazy"
Artist and Composer: Billy Currington
Video Of The Year

"Welcome To The Future"
Artist: Brad Paisley
Vocal Event Of The Year

"Hillbilly Bone"
Artist: Trace Adkins

"I Told You So"
Artist: Randy Travis
Producer: Mark Bright

"I'm Alive"
Artist and Producer: Kenny Chesney
Artist: Dave Matthews
Producer: Buddy Cannon

"Seeing Stars"
Artist: Patty Griffin
Producer: Jeremy Stover
Producer Of The Year

Buddy Cannon
Dann Huff
Frank Liddell
Frank Rogers
Audio Engineer Of The Year

Ben Fowler
Top Bass Player Of The Year

Michael Rhodes
Jimmie Lee Sloas
Top Percussionist / Drummer Of The Year

Eddie Bayers
Chad Cromwell
Chris McHugh
Top Piano / Keyboard Player Of The Year

Tim Akers
Steve Nathan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player Of The Year

Nashville String Machine
Ilya Toshinsky
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year

Bruce Bouton
Paul Franklin