Kenny Chesney Comes ‘Alive’ With ACM Nominations

Kenny Chesney has triple nominations going into Sunday's ACM Awards, with nods for Entertainer and Top Male Vocalist, but the one for Vocal Event of the Year for 'I'm Alive' with rocker Dave Matthews may be the most special of this year's nods for him.

Kenny had already written 'I'm Alive' when Dave heard it and told the country performer he could actually hear himself singing it. So, Kenny asked him to record it with him. "It was just magic in the studio when we did it," exclaims Kenny. "I didn't realize how natural my voice and his voice would sound together. [laughs] Because it's completely two different styles. We come from completely two different worlds. I mean, he was born in South Africa. I was born in East Tennessee. So it just goes to show you how universal music can really be."

While he is not launching a big tour this year, Kenny will be performing live on the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday (April 18) on CBS beginning at 8:00 PM ET/(delayed PT). On Monday, he will pay tribute to Brooks & Dunn during the all-star television special, 'ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn -- The Last Rodeo,' being taped to air later this summer.