By Mark Gray
11:42am PST, Feb 27, 2020
Getting a nomination for an Academy of Country Music award is old hat for many artists, but it's new territory for others, and this year is no different — and there are even a few surprises. While artists like Maren Morris and Thomas Rhett will (deservedly) gobble up all the headlines for nabbing the most ACM nominations on Thursday morning, Wonderwall.com is taking a look at those new to the party. Let's take a look at those who have garnered their first-ever ACM nominations, starting with The Biebs! Surprising, right! Justin Bieber actually earned four, yes four, nominations following the success of "10,000 Hours" (featuring Dan + Shay). Justin is up for music event of the year and video of the year. He also got two nods for song of the year as both an artist and songwriter. Click through to see a few of the 25 talented people who also scored their first-ever ACM nomination…
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Prepare to be shocked. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame heard his name called, giving him his first-ever ACM nomination in the music event of the year category (by the way, he actually won a Country Music Award last year!). How did this happen? Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" samples Nine Inch Nails' 2008 song "34 Ghost IV," making Trent and fellow NINer Atticus Ross co-writers and co-producers on the track.
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While Maren Morris has no shortage ACM nominations or trophies, this is uncharted territory for her supergroup The Highwomen. Maren and her group — which includes Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and previous ACM winner Natalie Hemby — are up for group of the year. If they win, they would be the third all-female group to win in the category. The others are Forester Sisters and the Dixie Chicks.
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Lil Nas X is back in the spotlight, having earned his first ACM nomination for music event of the year for his massive hit "Old Town Road."
Ingrid Andress is taking a dip in the ACM nomination pool, as she's nominated for New Female Artist of the Year, thanks in part to her debut single, "More Hearts Than Mine."
"American Idol" has found its way into the ACM's again. The show has already produced so many ACM winners (hello, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina!) and Gabby Barrett is hoping to add to that. Gabby, who turns 20 next week, came in third place during her season. Her single "I Hope" has steadily moved up the country charts, and is largely responsible for her nomination for new female artist of the year. "Thank you Lord, SO EXCITING THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!," she wrote on Instagram after the nomination.
Cody Johnson is having a heck of a year. In early 2019, his first major label release "Ain't Nothin' to It" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. He's one of the favorites to take home new male country artist of the year.
Morgan Wallen can now add "ACM-nominated" to his list of accolades. The "Whiskey Glasses" singer is up for new male artist of the year. You can bet that he'll "line 'em up and knock 'em back" if he wins.
Tenille Townes is having a moment. Earlier this year she opened for Keith Urban at his Las Vegas residency, now she's up for her first ACM award, as she's nominated for New Female Artist of the Year. "My goodness I did some dancing in the kitchen this morning! Honoured to be nominated for the @acmawards for the very first time," she tweeted on Thursday. "So proud to stand beside such a badass group of artists for New Female Artist of the Year. #ACMAwards."
Chances are you've never heard Jordan Schmidt's name… but you've heard Jordan Schmidt. A star in Nashville circles, he's written for Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown and so many others. He's been a part of five No. 1 songs. How has he never been nominated before? Good question, but he's up for his first ACM for having co-written Blake Shelton's "God's Country."
