The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards nominations have officially been revealed. 

As expected, several household names like Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, and of course, Chris Stapleton have been recognized throughout Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer Of The Year categories. Notably, most of the nominees for Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Duo of the Year also have made reappearances. 

As likely predicted, Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and Post Malone's "I Had Some Help" featuring Morgan Wallen have secured their spots for Single of the Year. Even with all these nominations, the ACM Awards always have a few surprises and snubs throughout the list – it's a part of the whole thing, isn't it? 

Let's dive into Fandom Daily's surprises and snubs list for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards.

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Snub: Parmalee

Yet again, Parmalee is snubbed. Despite having significant success over the last five years, with three No.1 singles and another hitting the Top 5, the group continues to get zero recognition from the award shows. 

If you look at the other nominated in the Duo/Group Of The Year category, no one has had a No. 1 on country radio since 2020. If we're awarding the award based on numbers and genuine hard work  – Parmlaee deserves recognition for their success. 

Surprise: Ella Langley

Ella Langley's remarkable year has catapulted her from no previous ACM nominations to being the top contender this year with eight nominations. Her nominations include New Female Artist of the Year and Female Artist of the Year. She also earned dual nominations for Song of the Year as both performer and co-writer of "You Look Like You Love Me" and for Visual Media of the Year as both artist and co-director of the acclaimed video.

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Snub: Riley Green

We wanted to note that Riley Green has been nominated 3x for his collaboration with Langely this year at the ACM Awards. Riley has steadily climbed the industry ladder for years as he's released new music, including his album Don't Mind If I Do. A nomination for New Male Artist of the Year or Male Artist Of The Year is long overdue and well-deserved for Green.

Surprise: Kelsea Ballerini

No stranger to the ACM spotlight, Kelsea Ballerini has earned this specific nomination. Snagging the New Female Vocalist of the Year award over nine years ago, the "Two Things" artist has earned herself nominations in Female Artist of The Year, Musical Event of the Year (x2), and an incredibly well-deserved Entertainer of the Year.

Is the top category stacked? Absolutely. Does Ballerini deserve this? Absolutely. Ballerini has skyrocketed since her Rolling Up The Welcome Mat project was released in 2023. Fast-forward to the past two years: She has joined The Voice as a coach, released her critically compiled project Patterns, dropped a deluxe version of that LP, and is currently headlining her first-ever arena tour.

@kelseaballerini i’m just real happy to be here 😭🤍 @ACM Awards ♬ This Time Last Year - Kelsea Ballerini

Surprise: Rascal Flatts

Are we surprised to see Rascal Flatts nominated for Group Of The Year? Absolutely.  Last nominated for this award in 2017, the powerhouse group has only started to make their return back to the country music community this year. Earlier this year, the group announced their reunion for a special 25th Anniversary Tour alongside an album with special guests. 

Surprise: Muscadine Bloodline

They've skipped New Duo/Group Of The Year and have gone straight to Duo/Group Of The Year. Muscadine Bloodline, the staunchly independent duo of Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton, has consistently rejected mainstream constraints in their nearly ten-year career. With albums like The Coastal Plain and their forthcoming ...And What Was Left Behind, along with their bold 2022 track “Dispatch to 16th Ave,” they have challenged the industry's profit-driven norms. 

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Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon Reba McEntire, the monumental anniversary show will celebrate six decades of country music and stream live exclusively on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.