This year's 2018 ACM Awards are quickly approaching, and the country world is buzzing about the show's "new" host and the recently released nominations. So what can country fans count on when it comes to the exciting night that promises to be "Country Music's Party of the Year"?
How You Can See The ACM Awards
The 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards will dazzle the MGM Grand Garden Arena live in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 15 at 7:00 PM.
Tune in to CBS on April 15th at 7:00 PM Central Standard Time to catch country music's biggest names on the live broadcast. Check on their website closer to time to see when and where you can catch the red carpet!
Of, course there's another way to see the show. If you're able to spend about $600 - $800 on a ticket, you can purchase a seat to see the event in person. Tickets are available here if you're curious to see where you could be seated in the same room with the likes of Chris Stapleton and Jason Aldean.
Who's Hosting?
Last month, Dierks Bentley let it slip that he and Luke Bryan were "fired" from their gig as co-hosts of the ACM Awards. But after Bentley's blab, there wasn't any immediate news as to who would take over.
Now, it's been confirmed that Reba McEntire will be reprising her role as host. McEntire hosted the show from 1985 to 2012 where she was joined by her successor, Blake Shelton. This will be McEntire's 15th time to host, and viewers are thrilled to see her bubbly personality lead the show once again.
Who Could Win?
Chris Stapleton comes in with a strong case to receive Entertainer of the Year with the most nominations out of any artist with a total of eight. This includes double nominations as an artist and producer for Album of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year. He also has two nominations as artist and songwriter in the category of Song of the Year.
Thomas Rhett also has a hefty load of six nominations including a double nomination for Album of the Year as an artist and producer and his second time being recognized as a possible Male Vocalist of the Year.
Previous ACM Award Winners Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris both hold four nominations. Lambert is nominated for an impressive twelfth time as Female Vocalist of the Year, which she won last year. Morris took home New Female Vocalist of the Year that night, as well.
And fans of country couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill will be happy to hear the pair has earned their first nomination together in Vocal Duo of the Year.
What Else Should You Know About the ACM Awards
It's worth noting that ACM Party for a Cause events lead up to the awards nights. This three-day festival of sorts comprised of parties and concerts raises money and awareness for the Academy of Country Music's charity, ACM Lifting Lives.
According to their website, this organization "develops and funds music-related therapy and education programs, and serves members of the community who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund." You can read more about their mission here.
Read More: Miranda Lambert Performs 'Tin Man' at the 2017 ACM Awards
All of the Nominations
The lengthy list of country artists worthy of an ACM Award can be seen below.
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Chris Young
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Album of the Year
The Breaker, Little Big Town
California Sunrise, Jon Pardi
From A Room: Vol. 1, Chris Stapleton
Happy Endings, Old Dominion
Life Changes, Thomas Rhett
New Male Vocalist of the Year
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Devin Dawson
Russell Dickerson
Brett Young
New Female Vocalist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Danielle Bradbery
Carly Pearce
Raelynn
New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year
High Valley
Lanco
LOCASH
Midland
Runaway June
Single Record of the Year
"Better Man," Little Big Town
"Body Like a Back Road," Sam Hunt
"Broken Halos," Chris Stapleton
"Drinkin' Problem," Midland
"I'll Name The Dogs," Blake Shelton
Video of the Year
"Black," Dierks Bentley
"It Ain't My Fault," Brothers Osborne
"Legends," Kelsea Ballerini
"Marry Me," Thomas Rhett
"We Should Be Friends," Miranda Lambert
Song of the Year
Sam Hunt, "Body Like a Back Road"
Keith Urban, "Female"
Miranda Lambert, "Tin Man"
Chris Stapleton, "Whiskey and You"
Vocal Event of the Year
"Craving You," Thomas Rhett ft. Maren Morris
"Dear Hate," Maren Morris ft. Vince Gill
"Funny (How Time Slips Away)," Glen Campbell and Willie Nelson
"The Fighter," Keith Urban ft. Carrie Underwood
"What Ifs," Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina
Songwriter of the Year
Rhett Akins
Ashley Gorley
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
