Country Music Awards 2016: 'Country Music Jesus' Eric Church Leads Nominations, Joey and Rory Feek Nominated For Vocal Duo of the Year

By Julie Brown Patton
Eric Church
As the title of Eric Church's debut album ''Sinners Like Me'' suggests, Church's songwriting is sometimes more about straying from the image of a perfect Christian, but not too far away. In the title track he sings, ''On the day I die/ I know where I'm gonna go/ Me and Jesus got that part worked out/ I'll wait at the gates til his face I see/ And stand in a long line of sinners like me.'' He was nominated for five awards in this year's 51st Academy of Country Music Awards. Facebook Facebook

The Baptist singer of "Loves Me Like Jesus Does," Eric Church, is vying in five categories, including his first for Entertainer of the Year and third for Male Vocalist of the Year, in the nominations announced Monday for the 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards, honoring country music's superstars and emerging talent. Additionally, Joey + Rory, the popular Joey and Rory Feek couple facing terminal cancer together, are up for Vocal Duo of the Year.

Hosted by Dierks Bentley and reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan, the ACM Awards are produced for television by Dick Clark productions, and will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2016, at 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST/delayed PST on the CBS Television Network.

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton lead with five Nominations; Cam, Chris Young and Little Big Town each received four nominations, with Karen Fairchild receiving an additional nod; and Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett each received three nominations.

Church also is nominated for Album of the Year for "Mr. Misunderstood," Video of the Year for "Mr. Misunderstood," and Vocal Event of the Year for "Raise 'Em Up" with Keith Urban.

Chris Stapleton got his first-ever nods for Male Vocalist of the Year, New Male Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Event of the Year for "Hangover Tonight" with Gary Allan, and is twice nominated as both artist and producer in the Album of the Year category for "Traveller."

Cam, first-time ACM Awards nominee, received four nominations, including New Female Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year for "Burning House," and is twice nominated as both artist and producer in the Single Record of the Year category for "Burning House."

Chris Young received four nominations, including his first Album of the Year nomination for "I'm Comin' Over" as both the artist and producer. Also, he received two nods as artist and producer in the Single Record of the Year category for "I'm Comin' Over."

Little Big Town, reigning Vocal Group of the Year, leads group nominations with four, including their 10th nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. The group earned nominations in the Single Record of the Year and Video of the Year categories for the song "Girl Crush." Also, Little Big Town received a Vocal Event of the Year nomination for "Smokin' And Drinkin'" with Miranda Lambert.

Additionally, Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild received an individual nomination for Vocal Event of the Year for "Home Alone Tonight" with Luke Bryan.

First-time ACM Awards nominee, Chris Janson earned three nominations, including New Male Vocalist of the Year, and is twice nominated as both artist and producer in the Single Record of the Year category for "Buy Me A Boat."

Reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert earned three nominations, including her fifth nomination for Entertainer of the Year and 10th consecutive nod for Female Vocalist of the Year. Additionally, she is nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for "Smokin' And Drinkin'" featuring Little Big Town.

Thomas Rhett earned three nominations including his first in the Album of the Year category for Tangled Up and Single Record of the Year category for "Die a Happy Man." Also, he received a nomination for New Male Vocalist of the Year.

Previously fan-voted, Entertainer of the Year and Newcomer categories, New Male Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, are now all incorporated into the professional membership voting process this year.

Nominees for Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Studio Recording Awards and Industry Awards will be announced at a later date. The Academy of Country Music's professional membership selects the nominees and winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:  Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:  Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:  Kelsea Ballerini, Jana Kramer, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR:  Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Joey + Rory, Maddie & Tae

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:  Eli Young Band, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band

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