GEORGE STRAIT - EIGHT FOR STRAIT AS COUNTRY STAR LEADS THE ACM AWARDS

GEORGE STRAIT has been crowned the king of country this morning (05MAR07) after landing eight nominations for the upcoming Academy Of Country Music Awards. Strait landed nods for Entertainer Of The Year and Top Male Vocalist, among his haul. If he claims victory in May (07), he'll pick up his first ACM awards since 1997. Meanwhile, BROOKS + DUNN picked up seven nominations, including Entertainer and Album Of The Year, and country trio RASCAL FLATTS claimed six nominations, also including Entertainer Of The Year. Former AMERICAN IDOL star CARRIE UNDERWOOD received five nominations, including Top Female Vocalist, and BIG + RICH landed four. The awards will be handed out at the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.