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Maren Morris, Chris Stapleton lead ACM Awards nominations

Morris and Stapleton lead the nominations for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton are the leading nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards, but only Stapleton joined the all-male ballot for the top prize of entertainer of the year. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. AdMiranda Lambert, who is already the most nominated artist in ACM history, stretched her streak with five nominations.

Dispute over access prompts AP to drop CMA Awards coverage

The restrictions prevent AP from providing coverage of the ceremony “to its standards,” according to an advisory it sent to members. Organizers had initially sought AP photo coverage from inside the ceremony, but said that due to coronavirus precautions it could not accommodate a wire service photographer. The AP said it would cover the show if it could take screenshots of the broadcast, as it has done successfully for the Emmy Awards, BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and others. The AP insists that if it covers the event, it be done so without restrictions on images that are publicly broadcast. The Country Music Association also faced criticism for a social media post it made declaring the show to be “a no drama zone,” apparently encouraging artists to remain apolitical.

Positive COVID-19 test sidelines FGL’s Tyler Hubbard at CMAs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard is the second artist so far that will miss a scheduled performance at the CMA Awards on Wednesday due to COVID-19. Hubbard posted a note on his Instagram page on Monday saying he was asymptomatic and quarantining on his bus outside his home. It comes days after another artist, Lee Brice, also revealed he had tested positive and would also not perform on the show, which airs on ABC from Nashville, Tennessee. “We have been extremely diligent with our testing process in advance of anyone entering our footprint,” the statement said. “Every single person has been tested, and many will be tested repeatedly throughout the week.

Country singer Lee Brice to miss CMA Awards due to COVID-19

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country singer Lee Brice tested positive for COVID-19 and will not perform as scheduled at the CMA Awards on Wednesday. A representative for Brice told The Associated Press on Sunday that he is “in good spirits and not experiencing any symptoms." Brice was tested ahead of the awards show, which will be broadcast on ABC from Nashville, Tennessee, where he had been scheduled to perform with Carly Pearce. Pearce and Brice are both nominated for their duet “I Hope You're Happy Now," in the categories musical event of the year and music video of the year. A CMA spokesperson said Brice was tested and received his result before arriving onsite for any of show rehearsals or activities.

Miranda Lambert leads CMA noms, Luke Combs' streak continues

The CMAs announced Tuesday that Lambert earned seven nominations. She's followed by Luke Combs, who continues his streak of success as one of country musics biggest streaming artists with six nominations, including his first for entertainer of the year. Combs earned his first all-genre No. Carrie Underwood joins Combs and Lambert in the entertainer of the year category, along with Keith Urban and Eric Church. Other top nominees include Maren Morris, who scored five nominations including song and single of the year for her love song, The Bones."

Country singer Lee Brice to perform at Topgolf in Jacksonville

Getty ImagesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Two popular singers are coming to Jacksonville in December. Country singer Lee Brice and "The Voice" winner Cassadee Pope will perform at Topgolf for a first-time Concert on the Green on Dec. 6. Brice, who was born in South Carolina, is best known for hits like "A Woman Like You," "Hard to Love," "I Drive Your Truck" and "I Don't Dance." Pope won the third season of "The Voice" in 2012 and her album "Frame by Frame" debuted at No. A spokesperson from Topgolf will visit "The Morning Show" studio Tuesday to discuss the concert and the possibility of more concerts in the future.