NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tim McGraw (search), Big & Rich and Sara Evans have joined the list of performers for the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, the ACM announced Monday. The awards show airs live from Las Vegas on CBS at 8 p.m. EDT May 17.
McGraw leads this year's nominees with six, while Big & Rich (search) are up for three awards and Evans for two.
Besides entertainer of the year, McGraw is nominated for top male vocalist, single of the year, song of the year, album of the year and video of the year. He also gets producer credits in two of those categories.
Most of his nominations stem from his hit single "Live Like You Were Dying," (search) a song about living life to its fullest that McGraw says has special meaning because his father, former Mets and Phillies relief pitcher Tug McGraw, died of cancer last year.
Big & Rich, first-time nominees, are nominated for top new artist, top vocal duo and video of the year for "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)."
Evans' nominations are for top female vocalist and album of the year for "Restless," which she co-produced.
McGraw, Big & Rich and Evans join previously announced performers Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts and George Strait.
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