Three of the top six nominees are Black -- something that would have seemed unlikely at a country music awards show not long ago.
Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett are also on board.
The singer received backlash after her 2016 performance with The Chicks on the country awards show.
Luke Combs, HARDY, Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson are also leading nominees for the inaugural awards show.
