This morning the 2012 ACM Awards Nominations were announced during a digital press conference online and on Facebook and Twitter. Many of the nominees immediately started reaching out to say thank you.

 

This is what makes country music so great. Our artists are regular people, they are appreciative of each and every fan, every radio station that plays their music, every venue that brings their concerts in and every person that gives their music a chance. Other formats don't have that... I have worked in them. The artists are nowhere near as nice as the ones we have in country music. So it didn't surprise me when I started seeing the thank yous hit the Facebook and Twitter feeds earlier today.

Kenny Chesney wound up with nine nominations and says "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. I can't wait to get back on the road with my good friend Tim and throw one big spring break party all summer long." Chesney and McGraw will hit Target Field on July 8 for their sold out show. Win your tickets now in the 98 Country Club!

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Blake Shelton picked up nominations for Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the year. This poor guy has had a rough start to the year, losing his father just about two weeks ago. He found to time to say "The support I have felt this week is overwhelming. Thank you everyone for this honor."

You can catch Blake Shelton headlining this year's Winstock Country Music Festival on June 9 in Winsted. You can see both days VIP Style by signing up in the 98 Country Club now. You can also win tickets each week at JP's Grill and Bar for Ticket Tuesdays with Wolf from 6-8.

 

 

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Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Montgomery Gentry has been in the country music game for many years now and have wound up getting their 12th nomination in the Vocal Duo category.

Troy Gentry reached out to his fans to say, "We are really proud to be nominated and blessed to be living our dream for as long as we have been. As always, we are truly humbled to be included in this category once again."

 

 

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It has been a big week for Jay Demarcus of Rascal Flatts. Earlier this week he announced that he is expecting another child! Now they were nominated for another ACM Award.

The guys are no strangers to the ACM Awards and have been nominated many times for the Vocal Group category. They took to the internet to express their thanks by saying, "Being recognized by your peers for the work that you do is always a special honor. We are thrilled to be included in the Vocal Group category with these other incredible artists. Thank you!"

 

 

The ones that impressed me the most were the artists that actually took the time to make a video and get it uploaded.

Toby Keith was actually in the recording studio this morning when he got the call that Red Solo Cup had been nominated for Single and Video of the Year. He took some time away from the microphone to use his "old school" solo cup phone to tell everyone to "proceed to party!"

 

The Eli Young Band are out on tour, got the call on their tour bus and checked in online with a video expressing their thanks for the nominations in three categories, Single, Song and Vocal Group of the year.

 

Jason Aldean is my favorite video though. From the looks of the video, Jason is obviously on his way somewhere in a car. He looks as though he stayed up a bit late last night and now he's actually filming himself thanking the fans for the nominations and getting an early jump on asking his fans to vote for his for Entertainer of the Year.

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