Bentley admires his award rival, Lambert
<p>In this Feb. 10, 2013 photo, Miranda Lambert, left, and Dierks Bentley perform at the 55th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Bentley says there won't be any hard feelings if childhood friend Miranda Lambert takes home the Grammy for best country album.</p>
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Dierks Bentley said there won't be any hard feelings if childhood friend Miranda Lambert takes home the Grammy for best country album.
Bentley's "Riser" and Lambert's "Platinum" are both nominated in that category on Sunday. He said if Lambert's name is called, he'll be happy for her.
"Any time she wins or performs, I'm usually the first one standing up and applauding," Bentley said before performing for fans Sunday at the official Super Bowl Tailgate. "A win for her is a win for everyone."
Lambert is already a Grammy owner, but Bentley is still waiting for his first win. The singers toured together and collaborated on music, even earning a Grammy nomination for their song "Bad Angel" at the 2011 awards show.
Bentley said his feelings toward Lambert haven't changed over the years.
"I just feel that she's the same Texas girl that she's always been," he said.
Meanwhile, the 39-year-old Bentley received seven nominations at the Academy of Country Music Awards, to be presented April 15. He is the second most-nominated act, a notch behind Lambert, who earned eight nods.
"It really blew my mind that they nominated me at all, let alone seven," he said.
Lambert's other Grammy nominations include best country solo performance and country song for "Automatic" as well as country duo/group performance for "Somethin' Bad" with Carrie Underwood. Nominees for best country album include Lee Ann Womack, Eric Church and rising singer-songwriter Brandy Clark.
The 57th annual Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.