Acedemy of Country Music Announces Changes to New Artist Category

The Academy of Country Music recently announced a single combined, overall category for New Artist of the Year. The New Artist of the Year award absorbs all newcomer categories including New Male Vocalist, New Female Vocalist, New Vocal Duo, New Vocal Group, New Solo Vocalist and New Vocal Duo or Group categories from past years, and the winner will be revealed on the LIVE telecast at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The Awards are to be held next spring on an as-yet-unannounced date.

The top 8 artists from the first round of ACM professional voting will be considered semi-finalists and will compete via the Great American County (GAC) fan vote at GACtv.com, combined with the ACM professional membership vote, to determine the final 3 nominees for the Award. The final 3 nominees will compete for the trophy, with a combined fan and professional membership vote to determine the winner.

Nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced in February 2012 at a date to be announced.