Billy Currington photo by Danny Clinch, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

The musical lineup for the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards is coming into clearer focus with the unveiling of a new round of performers, including Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts and Miranda Lambert.

Several other slightly unusual names and/or pairings are included in the latest additions, announced Thursday by the ACM. Rocker John Fogerty, who released a country album last year, will perform on the CBS telecast. So will Laura Bell Bundy, the Broadway figure whose first country album comes out next Tuesday. Toby Keith is slated to play the April 18 ACMs in Las Vegas with smooth-jazz sax player Dave Koz, likely meaning they’ll reprise “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song).” Dave played sax on Toby’s recording, a tribute to the late Wayman Tisdale. Dierks Bentley and Jack Ingram are also expected to sing together on the ACMs; they share vocals on “Barbie Doll” on Jack’s current album, Big Dreams & High Hopes.

The performances are often the most memorable parts of awards shows, though the drama surrounds the actual trophy presentations. Lady Antebellum leads the pack this year with seven nominations, while Miranda and Carrie Underwood have six apiece and Taylor Swift earned five.

Billy Currington, one of the new performer additions, is nominated in both the Single Record and Song of the Year categories for “People Are Crazy,” written by Bobby Braddock and Troy Jones. Bobby won the ACM’s Song of the Year in 1981 for penning the George Jones classic “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Troy is a comparative newcomer who earned his first hit when Kenny Chesney and George Strait teamed up on his song “Shiftwork.”

The 2010 ACMs honor country’s accomplishments from last year. “People Are Crazy,” released in February 2009, is from an early segment of the eligibility period.

“‘People Are Crazy’ feels like it’s been around for a long time,” Billy says. “To be nominated for the ACMs, that’s very nice. I’m very thankful for that one, but mostly for the songwriters. They haven’t received an award on the song yet, other than the fact that it went No. 1. But it’s been nominated a few times for like the Song of the Year or whatever. I just hope they get it, ‘cause Bobby Braddock, he’s very special to this town and to a lot of people, a lot of songwriters. But to me, so is Troy Jones. He’s the other writer. I only wish people knew how great he is.”

ACM performers who were previously announced for the April 18 show include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum and Reba McEntire, set to host for the 12th time in her career.

Newly announced presenters for the ACMs include LeAnn Rimes, Julianne Hough, actors Kristen Bell and Matthew McConaughey, and R&B artists Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J.

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