BY LISA WARREN
STAFF WRITER
Hey country fans! The deadline is rapidly approaching to vote for your favorite new artist for the 2011 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards.
The Band Perry, of Greeneville, are among those nominated in the "Top New Vocal Duo or Group" category.
Other artists nominated in that category are The JaneDear Girls and Steel Magnolia.
Another fan-determined category is the "Top New Solo Vocalist." Nominees in this category are Eric Church, Easton Corbin and Randy Houser.
The deadline to vote is Thursday, Feb. 24, at noon.
Go online at http://VoteACM.com to learn more. Persons must be 13 years of age or older to vote and register.
The winner from both categories will be announced in March and will move on to compete for "Top New ACM Artist."
Fan voting for "Top New Artist" begins March 11, and the winner will be announced live at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 3.
The Band Perry consists of sibling musicians Kimberly Perry, Neil Perry and Reid Perry.
They are the children of Greeneville pediatrician Steve Perry and his wife, Marie. The family have lived in Greene County since 2002.
ALBUM CERTIFIED GOLD
Earlier this week, it was announced that The Band Perry's self-titled debut album was certified gold for having sold 500,000 copies to date.
The album has produced their first No. 1 hit, the Grammy-nominated "If I Die Young" and their debut single "Hip to My Heart."
The group's latest single "You Lie" is now receiving major radio airplay nationwide.
They are currently on tour and will open shows for country entertainer Blake Shelton on Feb. 25 in Brookings, S.D., and Duluth, Minn., on Feb. 26.
