Luke Combs emerges as the frontrunner in the nominations for the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards, securing a staggering eight nods, it was revealed on Tuesday.

Maintaining his stronghold in the country music scene, Combs finds himself in the spotlight for the fifth consecutive year, contending for both Male Artist of the Year and the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award.

The 59th edition of the ACM Awards is scheduled to grace the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on May 16, promising a night filled with celebration and recognition of country music’s finest talents.

Combs’ impressive tally of nominations includes a noteworthy nod for Tracy Chapman, marking her first-ever ACM nomination. Combs’ rendition of her classic “Fast Car” earns a nomination for Song of the Year, a category that applauds songwriters and publishers alongside artists. Last year, Chapman’s 1988 hit clinched the Song of the Year accolade at the Country Music Awards for Combs’ heartfelt cover, a historic win that saw Chapman become the first Black songwriter to triumph in the category.

In close pursuit of Combs’ lead, Megan Moroney and Morgan Wallen each secure six nominations, while Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson are neck and neck with five nominations apiece. Jordan Davis and Jelly Roll also shine with four nominations.

Notably, Jelly Roll garners his debut ACM nominations, featuring prominently in categories such as Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (for his hit “Need a Favor,” which recently triumphed at the CMT Music Awards), and Music Event of the Year for “Save Me” featuring Wilson.

Jelly Roll’s presence in the Entertainer of the Year category marks a significant milestone, reminiscent of Billy Ray Cyrus’ breakthrough in 1992 as the last artist to vie for the title in their maiden ACM nomination.

However, the Entertainer of the Year category lacks female representation, with Lainey Wilson standing as the sole woman nominated. Historically, the category has seen limited female recipients, with Miranda Lambert clinching the title in 2022 and Carrie Underwood in a historic tie with Thomas Rhett in 2020.

Wallen’s nomination raises eyebrows, given his past controversies, including being deemed ineligible by the ACMs in 2021 and his recent run-in with the law.

Despite the achievements, female representation remains sparse in categories such as Artist-Songwriter of the Year and Single of the Year, with Kelsea Ballerini’s “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good)” standing as the sole album performed by a woman nominated for Album of the Year.

Fans can catch the highly anticipated 2024 ACM Awards streaming on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch Live on Thursday, May 16 at 8 p.m. EDT. The festivities kick off with a red carpet feed available on Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, and Amazon Live at 7 p.m. EDT.