The Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association founded in 1958 was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the founding was West Coast singer, songwriter, and actor Eddie Dean As such, its early membership was largely composed of those country performers based in the west. This is evidenced by the early awards shows being dominated by Bakersfield artists Buck and Bonnie Owens, and Merle Haggard. At the first ceremony held in 1965, Buck Owens won for Top Male Vocalist and Bonnie Owens won for Top Female Vocalist. Haggard was named Top New Male Vocalist, Kay Adams was named Top New Female Vocalist and Buck Owens's band, The Buckaroos, were named Band Of The Year.

The most prestigious awards are for Artist of the Decade and Entertainer of the Year. There are a number of other awards to recognize male and female vocalists, albums, videos, songs and musicians. The awards are typically presented in April or May and recognize achievement for the previous year. An award presented in 1999 is for achievement in 1998.

For the fourth year, fans will select the winner of the Academy's most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year and for the third year, the two newcomer categories for the annual Academy of Country Music Awards -Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo or Group- will also be opened up to fan voting. The winner in each of the two newcomer categories will then move on to compete for Top New Artist, which is also a fan voted category. Online voting for all fan voted categories will be available. The winners of Entertainer of the Year and Top New Artist will be announced live during the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

The awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_of_Country_Music
http://www.acmcountry.com/home/index.php
www.voteACM.com