Academy Of Country Music Awards Voting Criteria
Fans always seem to be interested in the criteria for specific awards. Here is the criteria for the Academy of Country Music Awards, according to www.acmcountry.com.
Entertainer of the Year
This award is presented to the individual, duo or group who showed the most overall success in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success of music videos, vocal performances, live concert ticket sales, artistic merit, appearances on television, appearances in films, songwriting, success in digital media, and contributions to the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The final nominees are voted on by the ACM professional membership with the winner being determined by a combination of votes from the professional membership of the ACM and fan voting (online and/or text). Based on the top vote getters, there will be up to 8 (eight) final nominees. If there is a tie for the eighth slot, there will only be 7 (seven) final nominees.
Top Male Vocalist of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding individual male vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
Top Female Vocalist of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding individual female vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
Top Vocal Duo of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding duo featuring at least one vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
In the event that the Board of Directors determines that there are not enough nominees in this category in any particular year, this category may be merged with the Top Vocal Group by the Board, and shall be called Top Vocal Duo or Group.
Top Vocal Group of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding group featuring at least one vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
In the event that the Board of Directors determines that there are not enough nominees in this category in any particular year, this category may be merged with the Top Vocal Duo by the Board, and shall be called Top Vocal Duo or Group.
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Single Record of the Year
This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music single during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media and impact of the single on consumers and the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
Any single released and achieving its highest charted position on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts during the eligibility period is eligible. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category.
Song of the Year
This award is presented to the songwriter(s), publisher(s), and artist(s) of an outstanding country music song during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media and impact of the song on consumers and the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
Any song released and achieving its highest charted position on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts during the eligibility period is eligible. If the song was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category.
Album of the Year
This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music album during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
Any album released during the eligibility period and achieving its largest cumulative sales impact in the Nielsen Sounds can Country Albums chart is eligible. If the album was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its largest cumulative sales impact during the eligibility period, it is eligible unless it has won previously in this category.
Any album, which contains more than 3 (three) previously released full-length selections including, but not limited to, “best of” or “greatest hits” albums, is not eligible.
Vocal Event of the Year
This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music vocal event single record during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media, video exposure and artistic merit of the single. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
Any vocal event single record released and achieving its highest charted position in Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts during the eligibility period is eligible. If the vocal event single record was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category. To be eligible, the single must be a collaboration between two or more artists who do not normally perform together and are credited on the track listing.
In the event that the Board of Directors determines that there are not enough nominees in this category in any particular year, this category may not be awarded.
Video of the Year
This award is presented to the producer(s), director(s) and artist(s) performing in an outstanding country music video during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. Emphasis shall be placed on creativity, production, visual appeal and impact on consumers and the country music industry. Other factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio of any single record for which the video was made, success in digital media, and success on any accepted video chart in the country music industry (sales or performances). The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
Any country music video released and achieving its highest charted position on the accepted country music industry charts (CMT and GAC) during the eligibility period is eligible. If the country music video was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category.
Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year
The Board of Directors may elect to give out this award from time to time in lieu of Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Female Vocalist by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. This award is presented to an outstanding individual male or female vocalist in the country music industry who gains either initial fame or significantly greater recognition through their efforts during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The artist must have success in digital media, charted a single in the Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts; and/or sold 100,000 album units reflected in Nielsen SoundScan during the qualifying period. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The final nominees are voted on by the ACM professional membership with the winner being determined by a combination of votes from the ACM professional membership and fan voting (online and/or text).
Any solo artist that has sold 500,000 copies of a previously released album (with general exclusions of specialty albums, such as seasonal or live recordings) according to Nielsen SoundScan, are not eligible for the Top Solo Vocalist category. Additionally, solo artists that previously served (or are currently serving) as lead vocalists for, or otherwise fronted duos or groups that have sold 500,000 copies of previously released albums, according to Nielsen SoundScan, are not eligible for the Top New Solo Vocalist category.
Top New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year
The Board of Directors may elect to give out this award from time to time in lieu of Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. This award is presented to an outstanding duo or group featuring a vocalist (herein called “duo or group”) in the country music industry who gains either initial fame or significantly greater recognition through their efforts during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 30th. The duo or group must have success in digital media, charted a single in the Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts; and/or sold 100,000 album units reflected in Nielsen SoundScan during the qualifying period. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The final nominees are voted on by the ACM professional membership with the winner being determined by a combination of votes from the ACM professional membership and fan voting (online and/or text).
Any duo or group that has sold 500,000 copies of a previously released album (with general exclusions of specialty albums, such as seasonal or live recordings) according to Nielsen SoundScan, are not eligible for the Top New Vocal Duo or Group category. Additionally, solo artists that previously served (or are currently serving) as lead vocalists for, or otherwise fronted duos or groups that have sold 500,000 copies of previously released albums, according to Nielsen SoundScan, are not eligible for the Top New Vocal Duo or Group category.
A duo or group may be a nominee two times in a three-year period. If the duo or group is a winner in this category their first year on the ballot, they will not be eligible in this category again.
Top New Artist of the Year
The Board of Directors may elect to give out this award from time to time in lieu of or in addition to the Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group, or Top New Solo Artist, Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
The winner of the Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group, or Top New Solo Artist, Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group, will compete for the overall Top New Artist award. The Top New Artist winner will be determined by a combination of votes from the ACM professional membership and/or fan voting (online and/or text).
