The 2012 Grammy Awards aren’t until February, but the action got a head start with the entertainment-packed Grammy nominations concert when the 2012 Grammy nominees were revealed.

In just an hour’s time, country music got an especially big nod among the usual pop and hip-hop leadership, with performances from Sugarland, Jason Aldean (with Ludacris) and the Band Perry. The sibling band, who laid down a mash-up of their song ‘Independence’ with ‘Free Fallin,” even received a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

While the majority of the country-specific categories were not announced during the concert special, we’re sure that quite a few in Nashville are celebrating the exciting news. Aldean is up for three 2012 Grammys in all, as is Taylor Swift; the pair will compete against one another in both the Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Album categories. Additionally, Blake Shelton is also up for three wins and Kenny Chesney is looking at nominations for two big awards.

The 2012 Grammy Awards will air on Feb. 12 at 8PM ET on CBS.

2012 Grammy Awards Nominees (Country):

Best New Artist

The Band Perry

Bon Iver

J. Cole

Nicki Minaj

Skrillex

Best Country Solo Performance

Jason Aldean, ‘Dirt Road Anthem’

Martina McBride, ‘I’m Gonna Love You Through It’

Blake Shelton, ‘Honey Bee’

Taylor Swift, ‘Mean’

Carrie Underwood, ‘Mama’s Song’

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’

Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’

The Civil Wars, ‘Barton Hollow’

Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’

Best Country Song

Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’

Trace Adkins, ‘Just Fishin”

Taylor Swift, ‘Mean’

Blake Shelton, ‘God Gave Me You’

Vince Gill, ‘Threaten Me With Heaven’

Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’

Best Country Album

Jason Aldean, ‘My Kinda Party’

Eric Church, ‘Chief’

Lady Antebellum, ‘Own the Night’

Blake Shelton, ‘Red River Blue’

George Strait, ‘Here for a Good Time’

Taylor Swift, ‘Speak Now’

Best Americana Album

Linda Chorney, ‘Emotional Jukebox’

Ry Cooder, ‘Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down’

Emmylou Harris, ‘Hard Bargain’

Levon Helm, ‘Ramble at the Ryman’

Lucinda Williams, ‘Blessed’

Best Bluegrass Album

Alison Krauss and Union Station, ‘Paper Airplane’

Jim Lauderdale, ‘Reason And Rhyme: Bluegrass Songs By Robert Hunter & Jim Lauderdale’

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, ‘Rare Bird Alert’

The Del McCoury Band, ‘Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe’

Ralph Stanley, ‘A Mother’s Prayer’

Chris Thile & Michael Daves, ‘Sleep With One Eye Open’

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