Keith gets 8 country music nods

Toby Keith received a leading eight Academy of Country Music award nominations Tuesday, including song and single of the year for his patriotic tirade “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”

The Sept. 11-inspired song also got a mention for video of the year. Keith was also nominated for entertainer of the year, top male vocalist and album of the year for “Unleashed,” and vocal event of the year for his “Beer for My Horses” duet with Willie Nelson. He also received another video nomination for “Who’s Your Daddy.”

Alan Jackson had six nominations, including entertainer of the year and top male vocalist, album of the year for “Drive” and song and video for the title track. His George Straight duet “Designated Drinker” was up for vocal event. Other entertainer of the year nominees were the Dixie Chicks, Brooks & Dunn and Kenny Chesney.

Also up for single of the year were Mark Wills’ “19 Somethin’,” Trick Pony’s “Just What I Do,” Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” and Chesney’s “The Good Stuff.” Other album nominees: the Dixie Chicks’ “Home,” Chesney’s “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” and Trick Pony’s “On a Mission.”

Winners will be announced May 21 in Las Vegas ceremonies that will be televised nationally on CBS.