Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Fans voted Scotty McCreery the new American Idol back in May.

Have they shown him enough support to become the new artist of the year at the American Country Awards?

We’ll find out Monday night when the show airs on FOX (8 p.m.) with Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth as co-hosts.

The fact that Scotty’s first album, “Clear As Day,” debuted at number one on Billboard’s country album chart wasn’t all that surprising.

The face that it’s still there eight weeks later — albeit being bumped briefly by Miranda Lambert’s new CD — is downright impressive.

But the American Country Awards aren’t determined by chart success. They’re determined by fan voting.

And Scotty faces some stiff competition for that new artist honor, from the likes of The Band Perry, Pistol Annies (with Miranda, of course), Thompson Square and Jerrod Niemann.

Scotty and Lauren Alaina are listed among the country music personalities who will make appearances on Monday’s show.  Not sure if that means they’ll be performing.

And Scotty isn’t the only Idol up for an honor.

Carrie Underwood ruled the first American Country Awards show last December, walking away with six awards, including Artist of the Year.

She won’t be able to match that this year; she didn’t get a nomination for Artist of the Year.  But she is nominated in four categories.

And Kelly Clarkson is up for two awards, thanks to her smash “Don’t You Want to Stay” duet with Jason Alden.

Here’s a complete list of Idol nominations and the competition they’re up against.

Artist of the Year (Female)
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year (New Artist)
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery
Jerrod Niemann
The Pistol Annies
Thompson Square

Single of the Year (Female)
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

Single of the Year (Vocal Collaboration)
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay?”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley with Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet, “Knee Deep”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

Tour of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Music Video (Female)
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Ashton Shepherd, “Look It Up”
Taylor Swift, “Back To December”
Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

Music Video (Duo, Group or Collaboration)
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson “Don’t You Wanna Stay?”
The Band Perry “You Lie”
Lady Antebellum “Hello World”
Thompson Square “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson “As She’s Walking Away”