Expect to hear some familiar names at the Academy of Country Music awards show Sunday. It will air live from Las Vegas starting at 8 p.m. on CBS with Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton as hosts.
Winners of radio awards have already been announced, and Chattanooga's WUSY-FM was named the ACM's Radio Station of the Year - Small Market. Winners in radio are to receive their awards at a Las Vegas reception Saturday.
The station's morning personalities, Bearman and Ken, were nominated for On-Air Personality of the Year - Small Market.
Additionally:
• The Alabama band is included in Brad Paisley's nod for Vocal Event of the Year for "Old Alabama."
• Nathan Chapman, who graduated from Lee University, is a nominee for Producer of the Year.
• Matraca Berg, who has family on Signal Mountain, is up for Song of the Year, a songwriting award, for "You and Tequila," recorded by Kenny Chesney, featuring Grace Potter. Berg co-wrote the song with Deana Carter.
• Rascal Flatts is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year. Member Jay DeMarcus attended Lee in 1990-93.
SELECTED CATEGORIES
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: Montgomery Gentry, Love and Theft, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year: The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band
New Artist of the Year: Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Scotty McCreery
Album of the Year: "Chief," Eric Church; "Four The Record," Miranda Lambert; "Hemingway's Whiskey," Kenny Chesney; "My Kinda Party," Jason Aldean; "Own the Night," Lady Antebellum
Single Record of the Year (award to artist): "Crazy Girl," Eli Young Band; "Don't You Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson; "Red Solo Cup," Toby Keith; "Tomorrow," Chris Young; "You And Tequila," Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter