ACM Announces Changes To New Artist Category

The Academy of Country Music announced today (11/30) that it will award trophies in three individual newcomer categories, New Male Vocalist, New Female Vocalist and New Vocal Duo or Group, the winners of which will compete for overall New Artist of the Year.

The Academy’s New Artist awards can change year-to-year, at the discretion of the board of directors, based on eligible candidates. Eligibility is determined on many factors including radio success. Changes might include combining or separating the duo and group categories.

For example, in 2012, only one trophy was presented, for overall New Artist of the Year. In 2011, three trophies were awarded: Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo or Group, and overall Top New Artist.

For the 2013 awards, the top three artists from the first round of ACM professional voting (which opens Mon., Dec. 3) will be considered finalists for New Male Vocalist, New Female Vocalist and New Vocal Duo or Group. They will compete via the Great American Country (GAC) fan vote at GACtv.com, combined with the ACM professional membership vote, to determine the winners for those Awards.

Winners in each of the three categories will automatically become nominees for the overall New Artist of the Year award, which will also be determined by a combined fan and professional membership vote. The New Artist award will be revealed on the live telecast of the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, to be held next spring on an as-yet-unannounced date.

Nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be revealed in February 2013, date to be announced.

Professional membership voting timeline
1st Ballot Opens – Monday, December 3, 2012
1st Ballot Closes – Monday, December 10, 2012
2nd Ballot Opens – Monday, January 14, 2013
2nd Ballot Closes – Monday, January 21, 2013
3rd Ballot Opens – Monday, March 11, 2013
3rd Ballot Closes – Monday, March 18, 2013