The finalists for the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards have been announced! Luke Bryan leads the pack with seven categories followed by Sam Hunt with five, and Zac Brown Band and Thomas Rhett with four.
You may notice that the hottest name in country music, aka Chris Stapleton, can only be found in one category- Album of the Year. Why is that? The finalists for these awards are based off of radio airplay charts, sales and streaming data from April 1st, 2015 to March 28th, 2016. While Stapleton may be getting other awards, and a surge in album sales, his airplay on country radio hasn’t yet reached the level of the other finalists.
The American Country Countdown Awards will air live from the Forum in Los Angeles on May 1st at 8PM on Fox.
Artist of the Year
Blake Shelton
Florida Georgia Line
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt
Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Female Vocalist of the Year
Cam
Carrie Underwood
Jana Kramer
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Group/Duo of the Year
A Thousand Horses
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Breakthrough Male of the Year
Chris Janson
Michael Ray
Sam Hunt
Breakthrough Female of the Year
Cam
Jana Kramer
Kelsea Ballerini
Breakthrough Group/Duo of the Year
A Thousand Horses
Dan + Shay
Old Dominion
Song of the Year
‘Stay A Little Longer’ – Brothers Osborne
‘Home Alone Tonight’ – Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
‘Strip It Down’ – Luke Bryan
‘Die A Happy Man’ – Thomas Rhett
‘Homegrown’ – Zac Brown Band
Album of the Year
‘Storyteller’ – Carrie Underwood
‘Traveller’ – Chris Stapleton
‘Kill the Lights’ – Luke Bryan
‘Montevallo’ – Sam Hunt
‘Jekyll + Hyde’ – Zac Brown Band
Digital Song of the Year
‘Girl Crush’ – Little Big Town
‘Kick The Dust Up’ – Luke Bryan
‘Die A Happy Man’ – Thomas Rhett
Digital Album of the Year
‘Anything Goes’ – Florida Georgia Line
‘Montevallo’ – Sam Hunt
‘Tangled Up’ – Thomas Rhett
Touring Artist of the Year
Garth Brooks
Kenny Chesney
Luke Bryan
Shania Twain
Zac Brown Band