2012 ACM Awards Performers Announced

The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are just weeks away, and we now know a few of the artists who will take the stage to perform during the star-studded ceremony. Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Toby Keith are the first round of performers announced for the televised broadcast.

Jason, Kenny, Eric, Toby and Miranda also each share the role of nominee for the night, with Jason and Kenny both vying for the title of ACM Entertainer of the Year, as well as Top Male Vocalist. (See the full list of 2012 ACM Awards nominees here.) For Jason, who considered the 'Reality' singer a role model when he began planning his My Kinda Party tour, it's an honor to be recognized in the same categories.

"Kenny was selling out arenas, so he moved into stadiums," Jason tells The Boot. "You can't rush that move; you can't predict it. You just know when it's time. We knew it was time to move out of little theaters and into arenas, because our tickets were starting to sell out. I remember when Kenny started going in and selling out two nights at a place. We are starting to do that now. I bring Kenny up because I think he's had the biggest tour around for a long time. If you're gonna pattern your touring career after someone, he's the guy."

More performers for the ACM Awards are expected to be announced shortly. The ceremony, which will include Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire as co-hosts, will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 1 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS.

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