ACM Tabs Its Stars

02/25/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Bruce Haring

(2/25/98) - The 33rd annual Academy Of Country Music Awards--known as the "Hat" awards--will see LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood once again face off over their different versions of "How Do I Live." Both singers' versions of the song have been nominated in ACM's Single Of The Year Category (the two are also up for dueling Grammys). However, they are nominated together in the Song Of The Year category, which goes to the songwriter and performing artist.

Tim McGraw led the ACM nominee pack with seven nods, while his wife Faith Hill received four, all for her duet with McGraw, "It's Your Love." George Strait and Yearwood also received four nominations apiece.

The ACM has long been regarded as more progressive than its Nashville counterpart, the Country Music Association. Two ACM surprises this year were the omissions of Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire in their respective Vocalist Of The Year categories, though both were nominated for Entertainer Of The Year.

The awards will be broadcast on CBS on April 22nd from the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Nominees in key categories are:

Entertainer Of The Year: Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, George Strait

Male Vocalist: Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Collin Raye, George Strait, Bryan White

Female Vocalist: Deana Carter, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Yearwood

Duet Or Group: Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Lonestar, Sawyer Brown

New Male Vocalist: Rhett Akins, Kenny Chesney, Michael Peterson

New Female Vocalist: Sara Evans, Lila McCann, Lee Ann Womack

New Duo Or Group: Big House, the Kinleys, the The Lynns

Album: Carrying Your Love With Me - George Strait, Come On Over - Shania Twain, Everywhere - Tim McGraw, Long Stretch Of Lonesome - Patty Loveless, Sevens - Garth Brooks