Single:
This award is presented to the artist, producer and record company of an outstanding country music single record during the preceding calendar year. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of prerecorded music embodying the single, and the impact of the single on consumers and the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the membership of the ACM. Any single commercially released prior to the preceding calendar year, but achieving its highest charted position in any accepted country music industry publication chart during the preceding calendar year, is eligible unless it has appeared on a previously published ACM ballot in this category.
Song:
This award is presented to the songwriter(s), publisher(s) and artist(s) performing an outstanding country music song of the preceding calendar year. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the success of the song at radio, sales of prerecorded music embodying the song and the impact of the song on consumers and the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the membership of the ACM. Any song contained on an album commercially released prior to the preceding calendar year, but achieving its highest charted position in any accepted country music industry publication chart during the preceding calendar year, is eligible unless it has appeared on a previously published ACM ballot in this category.
Album:
This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music album during the preceding calendar year. The album must have attained minimum sales of 300,000 units and/or maintained an average of 20,000 unit sales per week since release as reflected by Sound Scan during the qualification period. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the membership of the ACM. Any album commercially released prior to the preceding calendar year, but achieving its highest charted position in any accepted country music industry publication chart and greatest commercial success during the calendar year, is eligible unless it has appeared on a previously published ACM ballot in this category. Any album, which contains more than three (3) previously released selections including, but not limited to, “best of” or “greatest hits” albums are not eligible.
Vocal Event:
This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music event single record during the preceding calendar year. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of prerecorded music embodying the single and artistic merit of the single. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the membership of the ACM. Any single commercially released prior to the preceding calendar year, but achieving its highest charted position in any accepted country music industry publication chart during the preceding calendar year, is eligible unless it has appeared on a previously published ACM ballot in this category. To be eligible, the single must be a collaboration between two or more artists who do not normally perform together.
ACM/Launch Video of the Year:
This award is presented to the producer, director and artist performing an outstanding country music video during the preceding calendar year. Emphasis shall be placed on creativity, production, visual appeal and impact on consumers and the country music industry. Other factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success of any single record for which the video was made at radio, sales of prerecorded music embodying the single record for which the video was made and success on any accepted video chart in the country music industry (sales or performances). The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the board. The winner shall be determined by a combined vote of the professional and associate membership of the ACM. Any country music video released prior to the preceding calendar year, but which achieves its highest charted position in any accepted country music industry publication chart during the preceding calendar year, is eligible unless it has appeared on a previously published ACM ballot in this category.
