March 19, 2009 — For decades, country musicians have been employed during election cycles to perform on the campaign trail for politicians hoping to win support at the voting booth. Just this last fall, artists such as Lee Greenwood, John Rich, Hank Williams Jr. and Gretchen Wilson hit the road with Republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin.

That tradition was turned upside down this week when West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin supported the campaign of Brad Paisley. He lobbied residents of the Mountain State to vote for Brad for Entertainer of the Year in the "44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards".

"Brad Paisley is a great performer and a fellow West Virginian, so I encourage all residents to show their support and go online to vote for Brad," the governor said, according to Wheeling TV station WTRF. "West Virginians support each other, and we should support Brad in this endeavor. Your vote is important, because the audience will help determine the outcome of one of country music’s top awards this year. West Virginians, let’s work together and get our friends and family to take just a moment and vote online for Brad. It would be great to have a West Virginian obtain this prestigious country music recognition."

It puts a unique spin on the awards. Until recently, the ACMs were strictly an industry-voted event. Fans got a chance to cast ballots for the Home Depot Humanitarian Award when it was introduced earlier this decade, and last year, the California-based Academy opened the vote for Entertainer to fans for the first time. Kenny Chesney won the trophy, but he wondered aloud backstage if the new rules might not reward the best-organized fan club instead of the best actual performer.

Voting for the Entertainer trophy is currently open to fans, with Brad and Kenny competing against Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and George Strait. Fans can also vote on the Top New Artist of the Year from three candidates who’ve already picked up "new" honors: Jake Owen, Top New Male; Julianne Hough, Top New Female; and the Zac Brown Band, Top New Vocal Duo or Group.

Jake, Julianne and the ZBB all appear on a GAC special, ACM Top New Artists. Hosted by Sara Evans, it premieres Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.

The final ceremony is slated for April 5 in Las Vegas.

Source: gactv.com