The Academy of Country Music's nominees list for the 2018 ACM Awards is out, and this year, plenty of up-and-coming artists received nods in categories including New Male Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year. Breakout artists such as Kane Brown, Russell Dickerson and Devin Dawson woke up on Thursday morning (March 1) to the exciting news that they were in the mix to win an award.

Some of the newer acts, such as Kelsea Ballerini and Lanco, have hits under their belts already but will be competing against more established nominees in their categories. Ballerini is up against Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire, among other big names, for Female Vocalist of the Year, and Lanco are listed alongside Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and more in the running for Vocal Group of the Year.

While the competition will be fierce, these artists are over the moon just to be nominated. Brett Young, who recently proposed to his now-fiancee, Taylor Mills, was clearly feeling the high of exciting new developments in both his career and his personal life: "Recent engagement ... today's nomination ... is this what it feels like to be the luckiest guy alive?!" the singer tweeted.

Other new artists, such as Carly Pearce, had simpler responses:

Flip through the photo gallery above to see more new artists' reactions to their 2018 ACM Awards nominations. The 2018 ACM Awards will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 15, and will air at 8PM EST on CBS. Reba McEntire will host the event.

The Boot will be staying up late covering the most buzzed-about winners, fashion and moments at the 2018 ACM Award Ceremony. Readers can watch along with us by checking back to TheBoot.com for the latest ACMs headlines, liking The Boot on Facebook and following The Boot on Twitter

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