UPDATED: Fort Worth country singer JT Hodges up for an Academy of Country Music Award

by Sarah Blaskovich

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UPDATE: Hodges did not make the final cut for New Artist of the Year.

FORT WORTH — Fort Worth country singer JT Hodges is a semi-finalist to win the Academy of Country Music Awards' New Artist of the Year. The reigning winner of New Artist of the Year is The Band Perry.

Hodges went to high school at Oakridge High School in Fort Worth and later attended and graduated from Texas Christian University. He was on Toby Keith's Locked and Loaded Tour in 2011 and sings the single "Hunt You Down."

He's up against these country rising stars for New Artist of the Year:

• Brantley Gilbert, country singer from Georgia who is known for his single "Country Must Be Country Wide"
• Hunter Hayes, singer from Louisiana who opened for Taylor Swift during her Speak Now World Tour
• Scotty McCreary, winner of American Idol season 10
• Justin Moore, singer of the singles "Small Town USA," "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," and "Bait a Hook"
• David Nail, performer who has released a duet with Miranda Lambert and has co-written with Kenny Chesney
• Jerrod Niemann, country singer originally from Kansas who penned the single "Lover, Lover"
• Thompson Square, husband/wife country group who played at the State Fair of Texas in 2011; most known for their single, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"

When Hodges found out he was a semi-finalist, he said he thought he was being punked. He jokes in the video to the right that no one knows his name.

Country singer Toby Keith, who most recently debuted the silly song "Red Solo Cup" and was on tour with Hodges, suggests that fans vote for him.

Voting is open until January 30. The top three people who receive the most votes will be eligible for the award. The awards ceremony is April 1 in Las Vegas and is hosted by Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton. It will air on CBS.

Hodges will be in Fort Worth on Friday, January 27 to meet the mayor, visit his former high school and TCU, and perform for free at 8.0 Bar in Sundance Square. He tells the city, "I can't wait to get back home to Fort Worth. It's a special place with some of the most remarkable people in the country."

UPDATE: Hodges did not make the final cut for New Artist of the Year. The nominees are Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, and Scotty McCreery. Voting begins March 19.

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