Gabby Barrett received an Academy of Country Music award nomination Thursday morning, confirmation that the Munhall native’s star is on the rise.
Barrett, 19, is one of five nominated for new female artist of the year, with Ingrid Andress, Lindsay Ell, Caylee Hammack and Tenille Townes.
Barrett’s music video for the break-up song “I Hope” has racked up almost 32 million views on YouTube. It moved up four spots this week, to No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. “I Hope” is also tops on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.
She’ll be touring with Brad Paisley and Jordan Davis this summer. A homecoming date for the 2018 “American Idol” finalist is August 8 at the S&T Bank Music Park in Burgettstown.
Other nominees with local ties are the duo known as Dan + Shay, who with Justin Bieber scored in four ACM categories. Dan Smyers is a McCandless native and Carnegie Mellon University grad who, with Shay Mooney, won a Grammy for best country duo last month.
Their “10,000 Hours” is up for best song of the year, music event of the year and music video. Dan + Shay is nominated for the seventh time as best duo of the year.
The 55th ACM awards are April 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, hosted by Keith Urban. CBS will broadcast the event live as well as on CBS All Access.