Things could get a little uncomfortable on Sunday night during the presentation of the 2017 Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs). The reason: The ACMs may be put in a position where they will essentially be giving a 45-second commercial to their chief competitor, the Country Music Association (CMAs).

“Forever Country” has been nominated for video and vocal event of the year by the ACMs. What makes the nominations just a tad strange is that the song and the video, which mixes 31 country artists into one tune, was commissioned by the CMAs — long thought of as the chief rival of the ACMs.

“They can make the most of the 45 seconds that we will give them,” ACM CEO Pete Fisher told Billboard. He was referencing the possibility of the song winning an award and of CMA CEO Sarah Trahern and/or CMA chief marketing officer Damon Whiteside getting the opportunity to essentially run an advertisement for their company onstage.

Related: How the Country Music Awards Differ From Other Shows

The CMA was created in 1958 as a way to give centralized support to country music and to capitalize on its long-standing popularity. The similarly themed ACMs came along in 1964 as a way to reach a more Western audience that some felt the Nashville-based CMAs were missing. And since then, country music fans have been left to mix up acronyms every year.

The “Forever Country” song was commissioned by the CMAs last year to help promote the company’s fall awards show. The song was made up of classic tunes like “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “On the Road Again,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

The vocals of everyone from George Straight to Brad Paisley to Dolly Parton can be heard on the popular mash-up track.

[lz_third_party align=center width=630 includes=https://youtu.be/s9gAXwYZtfk]

“CMA is merely the producer of a piece of art that celebrates the country music industry and 50 years of award-winning music,” said the CMA’s Trahern to Billboard about the song’s ACM Award nomination. “Our hope would be that rather than ACM vs. CMA, it is an inclusive and all-encompassing celebration of our incredible musical history. If ‘Forever Country’ takes home a trophy, the credit goes to our industry and artists.”

Fisher of ACM has also insisted the organizations are not as competitive today as they appear. “We have a shared mission. We might go about achieving our missions in a different way, but at the end, we’re all about making country music more popular, stronger, to be enjoyed by fans and profited [from] by all of the creative and business people in the industry.”

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Related: Reba McEntire Celebrates 61 Years

The CMAs and ACMs, however, hold similar award shows, compete for the same audience and have both been in a seeming tug-of-war over who is the more authoritative organization in the country music genre.

The CMAs are behind the Country Music Hall of Fame; the ACMs got their award show going first; both have competing music festivals — and on it goes.

This year, however, provides a rare opportunity for the two organizations to intermingle and put a love of country music above their competitive streak.

“We are mindful of trying to keep our brands distinctive and differentiated,” the ACM’s Fisher said. “But if there are times when we’re confused with one another, this is a time that I would be very comfortable with.”

As long as the fans get great country music and an awards show that keeps things focused on the songs and singers and away from politics — they likely don’t mind either.