Country Names Its Faves

By Stephen M. Silverman

05/11/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

Lee Ann Womack and Toby Keith lead the nominations for the 36th annual Academy of Country Music Awards with six nods each. Crossover star Faith Hill, who recently nabbed three Grammys, follows with four nominations, including those for entertainer of the year and top female vocalist. The nominees were announced Tuesday by actor-director Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Jamie and CMA Awards show executive producer Dick Clark (who will helm the live CBS broadcast from the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood on May 9). The Dixie Chicks, Billy Gilman, Brad Paisley, Sons of the Desert and George Strait received three nominations each. Womack's nominations include album of the year, song of the year, female vocalist, single record of the year, video of the year and vocal event of the year for "I Hope You Dance." Hill and her husband, Tim McGraw, also are up for vocal event of the year for "Let's Make Love."