Luke Bryan is nominated for ACM Entertainer of the Year, having picked up the award in 2013. In the same category is one of his idols, Garth Brooks, who he’d never imagine would even know his name, much less be nominated at the same time.

“I never thought I’d be in any of whatever’s going on in my world, and obviously, when I started getting nominated for Entertainer of the Year and being in those categories like that. I can honestly say I never thought I’d be in a category with Garth Brooks, and certainly be in there with George Strait and stuff. So, it’s very mind-boggling and very flattering. So, now I’m nominated in Entertainer of the Year with Garth Brooks, and I see the paper, and I’m like ‘Phew!’ I mean, you almost want to frame it, it’s pretty cool. I just always feel blessed in these moments, and I can’t believe I’m in this situation to where these people know who I am, you know? I never would’ve thought I would be here.”

In addition to Entertainer of the Year, Luke is also nominated for Male Vocalist and Song of the Year for “Drink a Beer,” as well as Vocal Event of the Year with Florida Georgia Line on “This is How We Roll.” Luke has already picked up one ACM Award – the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award, which acknowledges “unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement in country music.”

Fan voting for both Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year categories for the ACM Awards opened today (Wednesday, April 8th) and closes April 19th, just prior to the start of the show at 8pm ET. The fan votes will be tallied with the votes from ACM members to determine the final winners. Go to VoteACM.com. The 50th Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Luke and Blake Shelton, will be broadcast live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas at 8pm ET on CBS.