Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert and Toby Keith are among the stars who will perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards next month.

Eric Church and Luke Bryan round out the first wave of performers announced by the academy on Thursday.

Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton co-host the 47th annual awards show, which will air live April 1 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on CBS.

Chesney leads all nominees with nine and Aldean is next with six. Both are up for the night's top honors - entertainer, album and male vocalist of the year.

Church and Bryan also will headline the ACM's free concerts at Fremont Street Experience on March 30-31.

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Online:

http://www.acmcountry.com