Eric Church, The Band Perry Win ACM Awards

The Academy of Country Music announced today that Eric Church and the Band Perry have won ACM Awards for top new solo vocalist and top new vocal duo or group, respectively. The two acts will go on to compete against each other for the top new artist prize at the ACM Awards, set for April 3 in Las Vegas.

Both artists are first time ACM nominees and winners. They’ll collect their trophies from reigning top new artist Luke Bryan March 2 in Nashville during a convention for country radio broadcasters. The winners in both categories were determined by combining fan votes with votes from the Academy’s professional members.

The top new artist award is also fan voted. Voting opens at www.VoteACM.com March 11 at noon (PT) and will continue until 5 p.m. (PT) on the day of the show. The top new artist winner will be announced during the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which will air live on CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET) April 3.

Church is five years and two albums  into his professional career, with a third scheduled to come out later this year that includes his new single, “Homeboy.” He beat Easton Corbin and Randy Houser in the top new solo vocalist category.

The Band Perry released one album late last year, which included the No. 1 hit “If I Die Young.” They won the top new vocal duo or group prize over Steel Magnolia and the JaneDear Girls.