Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Julianne Hough were all recognized by the Academy of Country Music when nominations for its 44th annual awards show were announced on Wednesday.
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It would not be an annual ACM ceremony without Underwood, as the American Idol fourth-season champ has amassed a total of six ACM awards in three years, including the last two Top Female Vocalist honors.
Underwood was once again nominated for Top Female Vocalist and will compete against Lambert, the original Nashville Star third-place finisher who was defeated by Underwood in the category last year. Heidi Newfield, Taylor Swift and Lee Ann Womack also received nominations for Top Female Vocalist.
One ACM award Underwood has yet to claim is Entertainer of the Year, however she'll have her first opportunity to do so at this year's ceremony. Underwood will face Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban in the category.
Should Underwood win Entertainer of the Year she would be only the seventh female to do so and the most recent since the Dixie Chicks claimed the award in 2000.
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In addition, Underwood's music video for "Just a Dream" was nominated for Video of the Year; while Lambert's album "Gunpowder and Lead" received a nod for Single Record of the Year.
Hough received her first-ever ACM nod for Top New Female Vocalist, an award previously won by both Lambert and Underwood.
The two-time Dancing with the Stars professional champ will have her ACM fate in the hands of fans, who for the first time will be allowed to vote for the winners in the Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group categories.
It will also be the second year online voting will determine who claims Entertainer of the Year.
The 44th annual ACM awards ceremony will air live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 5 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio