Chesney nominated for 11 ACM awards

NASHVILLE, March 4 (UPI) -- Nominations for the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced Tuesday in Nashville, with Kenny Chesney piling up 11 nominations.

Chesney is up for 11 awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. In addition, he was nominated as an artist and producer for Album of the Year for "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates," as well as Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year for "Don't Blink."

He has been selected Entertainer of the Year the past three years.

Rodney Atkins earned six nominations, Brad Paisley garnered four and Big & Rich and Sugarland received four nominations as a duo.

Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift also each earned three nods.

For the first time, fans will choose the winner of the Academy's highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.

Fan voting begins May 5 and details on how to participate will be announced at a later date, the academy said.

Winners of the awards will be announced during a May 18 broadcast on the CBS television network from Las Vegas.