The nominees for the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards were announced on Thursday morning, and Kenny Chesney is this year's leader of the pack. Chesney swept up a whopping nine nods overall, including recognition in the coveted Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album, Single, and Song of the Year categories.
"It's an honor to receive so much love from the Academy of Country Music after all they've done to support my music over the years," Chesney said in a statement. He's received nine ACM awards total over the course of his career, including four consecutive trophies for Entertainer of the Year. 
Chesney has nine ACM Award noms this year
Other artists nabbing multiple nominations include Jason Aldean with six--he'll be up against Chesney in the Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album, and Single fields. Lady Antebellum racked up five nods, Brad Paisley four, and Taylor Swift leads the solo female artists with three.
Swift is the sole woman represented in the Entertainer category--she's facing Chesney, Aldean, Paisley, and Blake Shelton. If she ends up winning, it'll mark her second consecutive score of that coveted title.
Shelton, who is cohosting the ceremonies for the second year in a row along with Reba McEntire, was nominated in the Entertainer field for the very first time in his career. This happy news comes a week after Shelton suffered the loss his father. "The support I have felt this week is overwhelming," Shelton noted.
A complete list of nominees can be found here. As in the past three years, fans will determine who wins the Entertainer and New Artist of the Year categories. You can cast your votes online here.
The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Be sure to let me know who you are voting for!