LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Heidi Newfield goes into Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards with five nominations. It's more than any other female, but she still considers herself the dark horse -- and in many ways, she is, especially since she's up for top female vocalist against such heavyweights as Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. Heidi Newfield says she considers herself an underdog at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards. For 10 years, Newfield was the lead singer of the honky-tonk trio Trick Pony. Her soulful debut solo album, "What Am I Waiting for," was released in August to stellar reviews -- many from critics who scoffed at the high-energy antics of her former band.
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Heidi Newfield is up for five Academy of Country Music Awards
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Newfield pursuing solo career after being lead singer of Trick Pony
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Singer doesn't want to be a diva but takes advice about not being so nice
It's much more introspective and mature, whereas @placeholder's music was brash and not as multidimensional.