With so many televised award shows these days, it's hard to tell which (if any) really matter. Tonight, the Academy of Country Music celebrates its 50th anniversary of their award presentation show. Personally, I enjoy watching these shows on TV because we get to see the artists a bit outside of their music. While the winners typically all give the same speech and thank the same people, once in awhile you'll witness a special moment, unexpectedly. On the other hand, we are treated to some special performances that can also steal the show. While Garth, Alan and George are all set to perform this evening, I'm willing to bet that the majority are more so excited about the reunion of Brooks & Dunn! I know I am!
During the ACM Award show this evening, the BORN Country Facebook page with be hosting a live comment/chat thread throughout the run of the show. We very much would like to see all of our readers joining in and sharing your thoughts with us! Love a performance? Disagree with a winning artist? Let's talk about it!!!
I thought it would be a fun starting point if I were to share my thoughts on not only who I think will win, but also who I think SHOULD win. In a lot of cases, I think we can all agree, these are two very differing things, ha! Of course, these are just one person's opinions. Tell me why you agree or disagree tonight during the show!
I almost feel as if none of these groups really had a spectacular past year. Sure, each one had their hits, but do they all deserve to be nominated for an award? I'm not so sure. The Band Perry put out a killer cover of the Glen Campbell classic, "Gentle On My Mind". Zac Brown Band released an EP produced by Dave Grohl and just recently hit the country AND rock charts with singles from their upcoming album (4/28/15). Little Big Town put the unnecessarily "controversial" song "Girl Crush" to radio, which was banned by radio stations all over the country due to listeners not understanding the song. Being that the ACM involves fan voting in the decision of its winners, LBT may have an upper hand after the strong support they received after the radio backlash.
Who Should Win: Zac Brown Band
Who Will Win: Little Big Town
Look at the nominees here. As far as radio play and fan support, there is no question that FGL is taking home this trophy. I would love to see some kind of freak voting and see anyone else win, but until Brooks & Dunn reunite outside of tonight's broadcast, no one stands a chance. Hopefully, some of the duos, Maddie & Tae in particular, have a strong 2015-16 year and take over.
Who Should Win: Maddie & Tae
Who Will Win: Florida Georgia Line
I am constantly baffled every year by this category. Rhett and Swindle have both been putting huge hits to country radio for at least 2+ years. At least Sam Hunt is "new" despite the fact that he doesn't actually make country music. If I had to pick one to win, I suppose I'd choose Thomas Rhett to take home the trophy. The new single is NOT winning me over though. I would LOVE to see next years nominees look like this: Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Whitey Morgan. A guy can dream, right?
Who Should Win: (I'm going rogue here - Sturgill Simpson)
Who Will Win: Thomas Rhett
Man. The Glen Campbell video is a heartbreaker. If the ACM's are awarded solely on fan votes, I'm afraid this one doesn't stand a chance. This is usually Brad Paisley's specialty. I would have assumed "River Bank" would've been all over the one. I have a blast watching the "Drunk On A Plane" video each time, but I think Kenny Chesney might have the edge here with "American Kids".
Who Should Win: "American Kids"
Who Will Win: "American Kids"
People ask me every year, what the difference is between "Single/Record" of the year vs "Song" of the year. The easiest way to explain it is this: "Single" is awarded to the artist and record label, while "Song" is awarded to the song-writer. With that being said...
I think Florida Georgia Line surprised everyone here. "Dirt" is an incredible song! I had high expectations for the new album when it was released thinking that perhaps they had matured a little bit. No dice. "Drunk On A Plane" is very funny, and even more so along with the music video. "American Kids" saw Kenny Chesney move further away from the "island country" he has been making for years in a refreshing surprise. Lee Brice made a wedding song. I think Miranda takes the cake here with "Automatic" and deservingly so.
Who Should Win: Miranda Lambert - Automatic
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert - Automatic
This is a tough one for me. I enjoy all of the artists, and the songs in this category. Typically, that wouldn't matter, due to this award going to the songwriter, but 4 of the 6 nominees actually wrote their own! Eric and Dierks long deserving of an award, but I don' think this is the one for either. I would love to see Kacey take home a trophy, but with Miranda likely taking the "Single" trophy, this one won't be far out of her reach as well. Best case scenario for country music as a whole, in my opinion, would be Chris Stapleton being award this category for "Drink A Beer". Guys like Stapleton need to start being recognized more in order to even out the current product before it falls even deeper into the "Bro-Country" phase it is in today.
Who Should Win: Chris Stapleton & Jim Beavers - Drink A Beer
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert - Automatic
I don't undertand the title of this category. Isn't it just the "Duet of the Year"? When I hear event, I think of a big concert/festival or something of the like. Anyways, that's how I will treat this award. While it would be cool to see The Cadillac Three take this trophy along with their cast of friends in "The South", I absolutely LOVED "Meanwhile Back At Mama's". "Lonely Tonight" didn't do a whole lot for me, but I could also find joy in Ashley Monroe being awarded this evening.
Who Should Win: Tim McGraw & Faith Hill - "Meanwhile Back At Mama's"
Who Will Win: Florida Georgia Line & Luke Bryan - "This Is How We Roll"
Now THIS should be the category that Eric Church wins. I love every single track on "The Outsiders". Dirks Bentley's "Riser" is almost as equally strong. Considering more recent award shows, however, unless the "Church Choir" has put in their fair share of voting, This could easily go to Miranda. Where the heck is Brad Paisley's "Moonshine In The Trunk"?!
Who Should Win: Eric Church - The Outsiders
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert - Platinum
Hell, Eric Church deserves this award as well. Aldean's last few singles have been very stale in my opinion. Luke has been doing the same thing for a few years now. He needs a new edge, I think. Despite putting out an awesome album within the past year, Brad seems to be in some kind of award slump. (Not necessarily a bad thing, apparently). The fan vote likely goes to Luke, though Blake does have more support from the audience of The Voice...
Who Should Win: Eric Church
Who Will Win: Blake Shelton
Not that she isn't a great artist, but what is Martina doing here? Did I miss a new album or radio song? Curious!!! I would be thrilled to see her win, but I just don't know what it would be for. This is hands down going to Miranda, but how refreshing would it be to see Kacey win this one? Or even more, Brandy Clark?!! I really hope country radio starts showing more love to a wider group of female artists. Without major competition, artists will start getting lazier. We don't want to see that from Miranda or Carrie!
Who Should Win: Kacey Musgraves
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert
How many artists can be away for 10+ years and then return to selling out ARENAS for nights in a row, in every city they visit? I have yet to see Garth perform live, but I've seen enough footage of his concerts to know exactly why these shows are selling out. Yeah, Luke and Jason have been selling out huge shows for a few years, but they have artists like FGL and Miranda opening for them. Garth sells out shows because it's GARTH. Yeah, Trisha Yearwood plays a few songs in between, but lets not kid ourselves. Unfortunately, I have a pretty good idea how this one is going to go tonight.
Who Should Win: Garth Brooks
Who Will Win: Florida Georgia Line OR Luke Bryan
That wraps up my predictions for tonight's ACM Awards show! Let me know what you think here below, or join in on the group chat/comments tonight during the show, starting just before 8PM EST!!! Hope to hear from all of you!!!
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