Award Is Entirely
By Vote Of The Fans;
'Top New Artist' Vote
Will Begin March 11
BY LISA WARREN
STAFF WRITER
The Band Perry has been selected the Academy of Country Music's "Top New Vocal Duo or Group" for 2011.
News of the award's announcement came Friday from the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Great American Country (GAC).
"This ACM award was an entirely fan-voted one, and Kimberly, Reid, and Neil are sending their biggest love and thanks to all who voted for them and made this moment a reality," a statement on the band's website says.
In addition to The Band Perry's honor, it was also announced on Friday that Eric Church has been selected through the fan-voting process as the ACM's "Top New Solo Vocalist" for 2011.
The two winners -- The Band Perry and Eric Church -- are now considered nominees for the "Top New Artist" award, which will be given out during the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
Fan voting for "Top New Artist" will take place at http://www.VoteACM.com, starting March 11, and will continue through April 3.
The "Top New Artist" award will be presented during the ACM awards show, which will be telecast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, beginning at 8 p.m., on CBS.
Luke Bryan, the ACM's "Top New Artist" of 2010, will present the awards to Eric Church and The Band Perry in front of country radio's elite at the ACM-sponsored Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Music City Jam in Nashville on Wednesday, March 2.
The CRS Music City Jam is open to Country Radio Seminar registrants and takes place at the Nashville Convention Center.
Fans can watch the winners receive their ACM trophies and hear their acceptance speeches on GAC's "ACM Top New Artists" special, premiering Monday, March 14, at 9 p.m., on the GAC channel.
DREAM COME TRUE
The past year has been like a dream come true for siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry, all children of Dr. Steve and Marie Perry, of Greeneville.
The group released their self-titled debut album in October.
The album has produced three hit singles: their debut single, "Hip To My Heart"; "If I Die Young," which climbed to No. 1; and their current "You Lie."
The album recently went "Gold" for selling 500,000 copies.
The Perrys are currently on tour, opening shows for Blake Shelton and Easton Corbin.
Filming for their latest video to accompany "You Lie" has been completed and is scheduled for release in the near future.
