Voting is now open as fans are enlisted for the first time to name the Entertainer of the Year during the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards May 18. The winner will be announced during the show, broadcast from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait and Keith Urban are all in the running for the trophy, which will be decided through an online ballot.
That certainly avoids a worst-case scenario, which Brad says would be to "line us up like on 'American Idol' where we're standing there on the stage ? there's just dark music, and they come across us as numbers flash for 'If you like Brad Paisley's performance, dial ...'" Had the ACM chosen that course for balloting, Brad says he would be seen at the awards "sitting there sobbing."
Instead, voting is being conducted at voteacm.com. All five Entertainer candidates are expected to perform on the awards, including Kenny, who recently damaged his right foot in an onstage accident.