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2016 ACM Awards Nominations: Country Stars React

After Monday morning's BIG ACM Awards announcement, Country stars shared their reactions to their nominations. 

Written by Lauren Laffer
2016 ACM Awards Nominations: Country Stars React

Dierks Bentley was up bright & early Monday morning to reveal the nominations for the 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton reigned supreme, earning five nominations each. Newcomer Cam, who is a first-time nominee, earned four nods, while Chris Young and Little Big Town both followed suit with four nominations a piece.

“It’s all really surreal,” Young said in a press release. “This is the first time that me and my co-producer Corey Crowder got together in the studio. When we wrote ‘I’m Comin’ Over’ with Josh Hoge we thought we had something really special with the song and the whole record — it’s my first nomination as a producer in any category and as an artist to have your name up there for album of the year and single of the year, it’s pretty dang amazing!”

“Being nominated in a category that’s been dominated by The Judds and Brooks & Dunn is so exciting,” said Maddie Marlow of Maddie & Tae. We really grew up on Country music, and these sorts of things mean so much to us. To be part of that tradition is, well, pretty incredible.”

“And it’s awesome being nominated with so many people in the New Vocal Duo or Group category who are part of the new wave in country music,” added Taylor Dye. “Not just the past, but being part of the future makes us feel like we’re part of a pretty great tradition.”

“I woke up to the sweet sound of screaming kids and ACM nominations,” said Chris Janson. “Its caught me completely of guard and I’m shocked, thankful and thrilled! Woohoo!! I’m so grateful to the country music community and the many fans for giving me these amazing opportunities. Thank you all!”

“Ugly crying. So honored and grateful to be a part of this country music family,” Cam wrote on Facebook. “The best fans, the nicest & most talented musicians, hardest working live event teams, the most supportive label, and the most passionate radio stations. I believe that happiness is only real when shared- and my heart is overflowing because I get to share this success with you.”

We also caught up with Cam at last night’s GRAMMY nominees party to chat about her nominations.

“As songwriters, we started playing together so our songs would be heard and people would hopefully want to cut them,” says Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey of the group’s first nomination. “So to know that as a band we have been honored by receiving this type of recognition has us all feeling incredibly grateful and truthfully, a little speechless.”

See how other stars are reacting on Twitter…

Check out the list of nominees HERE.

The 51st ACM Awards will be hosted by Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan and will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Tags: 51st Annual ACM Awards, Brett Eldredge, Cam, Chase Rice, Chris Janson, Chris Young, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Jana Kramer, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Maddie Marlow, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett