Luke Bryan's star looks like it's going to be rising ever further after the country singer topped the list of nominations at the annual American Country Awards. Traditionally a nomination stronghold for the likes of Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum, those two were put in the shade after nominees were revealed today showing Bryan out in front with a mighty seven chances to win. Indeed, Swift even had to do with being beaten by not only Lady Antebellum, but also the Zac Brown Band, who took six nominations apiece; then came Swift, with five alongside Eric Church. In fairness to the star, these awards were probably a bit too soon for her, given that her new album 'Red' isn't due out until October 22, 2012.

Bryan has already won at the CMT Awards this year, with his video for the single 'I Don't Want This Night To End' taking the award for male video of the year. After two records coming in at number two on the US Country charts, Bryan finally hit it big with last year's third LP 'Tailgates & Tanlines', which went to the top spot and went on to go platinum in the US, making it his biggest selling album ever. Additionally, an EP of this released this year managed to make number nine in the US Billboard 2000 charts, meaning that he's not only on the verge of country greatness, but could be looking at the sort of crossover success that his younger rival Swift has enjoyed.