The 2016 ACM Awards aren’t for a couple of weeks yet, but the winners of the three major New Artist categories have already been announced.
Kelsea Ballerini has been named New Female Artist of the Year, and Chris Stapleton won New Male Artist of the Year. Old Dominion have been awarded New Duo/Group of the Year in the upcoming awards show, which is in its 51st year. These wins mark the first-ever ACM wins for any of the three artists.
The newcomer categories, which include New Male Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, used to be fan-voted, but they are incorporated into the professional membership voting process for the first time this year. Chris leads the ACM nominations with six additional categories, including Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. Kelsea is also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, and Old Dominion are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year.
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will co-host the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3.
Source: Taste Of Country