Encino, CA (March 11, 2015) – The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced the first round of all-star artists who will take the stage at the 50thAcademy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®. The epic lineup for the Academy’s golden anniversary show includes country icons Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Reba, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, plus Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell.The ceremony, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, will be broadcast LIVE from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 8:00 PM – 11:30PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Exclusive to the 50th ACM Awards, reigning Entertainer of the Year and Artist of the Decade, George Strait, will debut new music. Also, Reba will be returning to the ACM Awards to perform for the first time in five years on the telecast.

In addition to performing, this year Miranda Lambert leads the ACM Awards with eight (8) nominations. Dierks Bentley follows with seven (7) nominations, while Florida Georgia Line received five (5) nominations, and Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, as well as Eric Church each earned four (4) nominations. Jason Aldean was nominated for three (3) awards, Blake Shelton received two (2) nominations, Garth Brooks is nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Keith Urban received a nomination in the Video of the Year category. This year’s ACM New Artist of the Year Presented By Kohl’s nominees include Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell.