On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, in Encino, California, the Academy of Country Music announced the winners of awards which will not be part of the live telecast Sunday, April 5 on CBS.  

Among the ACM winners announced today was Homecoming’s own Gordon Mote, honored as the 2009 Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year.  Gordon has been nominated for this award for the past six years consecutively and now, after his seventh nomination, he receives his first Academy of Country music win!

The 44^th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry.  The awards ceremony is produced for television by Dick Clark Productions and will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.