ACM Predictions

Well, the wait is over. Here are my picks for all of the ACM Awards up for the taking on Sunday night. Feel free to debate on these.

Vocal Event of the Year

Nominees:

* “As She’s Walking Away” - Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
* “Blue Sky” - Emily West Featuring Keith Urban
* “Coal Miner’s Daughter” - Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert
* “Cold Beer” - Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson
* “Good to be Me” - Uncle Cracker Featuring Kid Rock

Who I voted for: “As She’s Walking Away”

For whatever reason, this particular category was a pretty simple choice. While all these songs are certainly capable of winning, Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson knocked this song out of the park. I’m still not sick of it.

Who will win: “As She’s Walking Away”

Zac Brown Band’s first single off their new album “You Get What You Give” was widely popular and just strikes a certain chord with more fans than any of these other songs. Uncle Cracker and Kid Rock’s “Good to be Me” may have a similar widespread audience, but Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson get the nod here.



Video of the Year

Nominees:

* “Hillbilly Bone” - Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins
* “Only Prettier” - Miranda Lambert
* “Stuck Like Glue” - Sugarland
* “The Boys of Fall” - Kenny Chesney
* “The House That Built Me” - Miranda Lambert

Who I voted for: “Hillbilly Bone”

Eliminate the song aspect for a second and focus in on just the music video. Two of the ultimate country boys sitting down in a fancy/ritzy restaurant, surrounded by some of the finer people in life, yet there’s Trace and Blake, hicking it up and showing off their hillbilly bone. To top it off, all those classy people who couldn’t stand the two singers at the beginning of the song, are all cheering for them by the end of it -- embracing their redneck sides as Blake and Trace put on a show. It’s hilarious! Not to mention the song is one of the best ones all year.

Who will win: “The Boys of Fall”

Honestly, I think this is one of the harder awards to pick. In the end, I think it comes down to “The House That Built Me,” “Hillbilly Bone,” and “The Boys of Fall.” It’s kind of hard to deny Miranda Lambert the award, because no one in country music is hotter. “Hillbilly Bone,” like I said earlier, is my personal choice and is the best in terms of the actual video and song.” But, Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” has away of exciting the masses. So many people remember their college football days, and when you see all those professional and student athletes playing America’s game (yes, I mean football, not baseball), and you hear those speeches featured in the video, you can help but love it. The voting will be close, but I see Kenny taking this one.



Song of the Year

Nominees:

* “A Little More Country Than That” - Easton Corbin
* “As She’s Walking Away” - Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
* “If I Die Young” - The Band Perry
* “Love Like Crazy” - Lee Brice
* “The House That Built Me” - Miranda Lambert

Who I voted for: “Love Like Crazy”

All five songs were popular upon release, but I don’t know if there was a more popular song than Lee Brice’s “Love Like Crazy.” While country fans all fawned over “If I Die Young” and “The House That Built Me,” everyone loved “Love Like Crazy.”

Who will win: “Love Like Crazy”

The song has been played on radios galore for what seems like forever now, yet so many people still listen to the song over and over again. The hit single seems like one of those rare songs that fans just can’t get enough of.



Single Record of the Year

Nominees:

* “A Little More Country Than That” - Easton Corbin
* “As She’s Walking Away” - Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
* “If I Die Young” - The Band Perry
* “Love Like Crazy” - Lee Brice
* “The Boys of Fall” - Kenny Chesney
* “The House That Built Me” - Miranda Lambert

Who I voted for: “Love Like Crazy”

A quick side note: the difference between Single Record and Song of the Year is who is awarded the ACM. Single Record goes to the artist, producer(s) and record company, while Song of the Year goes to the artist, the composer(s) and the publisher(s).

The reasoning behind the pick is really already stated in Song of the Year. Not only is it a great song, but pretty much everyone (country fan, or not) knows, or heard of “Love Like Crazy.”

Who will win: “Love Like Crazy”



Album of the Year

Nominees:

* “Hemingway’s Whiskey” - Kenny Chesney
* “Need You Now” - Lady Antebellum
* “The Guitar Song” - Jamey Johnson
* “Speak Now” - Taylor Swift
* “Up on the Ridge” - Dierks Bentley
* “You Get What You Give” - Zac Brown Band

What I voted for: “Speak Now”

First off, let it be known that Jamey Johnson is the most underrated country music artist there is. All he does is produce music of the highest quality, yet seems to stay way too far under the radar. There are reasons Johnson has been compared to Waylon Jennings.

Taylor Swift’s third album “Speak Now” is the album I chose for the sheer fact that I love the song writing featured on it. You can literally hear her grow as an artist as the music flows from your headphones, and her messages are relatable to anyone who listens to her music. It really is a great piece of work.

What will win: “Need You Now”

I am in no way saying Lady A doesn’t deserve to win the award, because anyone who is a true fan of country music has heard the songs that have come off that album. But, I expect them to win because no one is more popular than them right now. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if they won Entertainer of the Year, based on that popularity alone.



Top New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year

Nominees:

* the JaneDear girls
* Steel Magnolia
* The Band Perry

Who I voted for: The Band Perry

The Band Perry is still a ways away from being able to compete with Lady A and Zac Brown Band, but this is an award they should win relatively easily. “If I Die Young” was a HUGE success for the band, launching them into superstar status in the country music world, while “You Lie,” the band’s new single, is proof they are here to stay.

Who will win: The Band Perry

The JaneDear girls are too new and Steel Magnolia is simply out-matched by The Band Perry (at least this year).



Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year

Nominees:

* Eric Church
* Easton Corbin
* Randy Houser

Who I voted for: Easton Corbin

I love Eric Church, but Easton Corbin is rising up that country music ladder rapidly. All three of Easton Corbin’s singles have shown why he is being tabbed as the next George Strait. The kid really does have a bright future ahead of him.

Who will win: Easton Corbin

Randy Houser doesn’t have the resume’ of Corbin or Church, though he does show promise. Eric Church does have a few songs that have been popular with country fans, but those songs don’t hold the clout of an “I’m a Little More Country Than That,” “Roll with It,” and now “I Can’t Love You Back.” Easton Corbin is going to be huge, the ACM’s are just the beginning.



Top Vocal Group of the Year

Nominees:

* Lady Antebellum
* Little Big Town
* Randy Rogers Band
* The Band Perry
* Zac Brown Band

Who I voted for: Zac Brown Band

What can’t Zac Brown Band do? The music is off the charts on both of their albums, and ZBB has an uncanny ability to make you cry and laugh while listening to their music. While everyone else seems to think Lady A is the reigning king in the Vocal Group department, I believe that king to be Zac Brown Band -- they’re unbelievably talented.

Who will win: Lady Antebellum

Until someone beats them, I am of the minority. In all actuality, Lady A currently rules the kingdom of Top Vocal Groups.



Top Vocal Duo of the Year

Nominees:

* the JaneDear girls
* Joey + Rory
* Montgomery Gentry
* Steel Magnolia
* Sugarland

Who I voted for: Sugarland

Sugarland is the new Brooks & Dunn of this category. Most of the competition is too new to make a real run at the juggernaut, while Montgomery Gentry has been on a kind of hiatus while Eddie Montgomery recovers from Cancer treatment.

Who will win: Sugarland

It likely won’t be a close vote. Steel Magnolia is likely their closest competition, but they are at least another successful year away from seriously challenging Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush.



Top Female Vocalist of the Year

Nominees:

* Miranda Lambert
* Reba McEntire
* Taylor Swift
* Carrie Underwood
* Lee Ann Womack

Who I voted for: Miranda Lambert

I have been tooting the horn of Miranda Lambert for as long as I can remember. As early as the release of “Kerosene,” I could see there was something there with Miranda Lambert, that she was different from the typical women in country music (that’s not a knock on the other women of country, I love them all). Lambert brings an attitude, confidence and just an in your face mentality to all her music. No one has had a bigger year in country music than the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. Plus, what’s not to love about a woman who writes a lot of her music and plays the guitar?

Who will win: Miranda Lambert

With all due respect to all the other women up for this award, no one has touched Miranda the past year. Her singles are instant successes, she’s already won Album of the Year (Revolution), Video of the Year (The House That Built Me) and Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMA’s and, although it has nothing to do with actual music, she’s getting married to one of country’s hottest superstars, Blake Shelton. How does it get better than that?



Top Male Vocalist of the Year

Nominees:

* Jason Aldean
* Brad Paisley
* Blake Shelton
* George Strait
* Keith Urban

Who I voted for: Jason Aldean

I pick him based solely on the fact that he has released some of my favorite songs on country radio this year. “My Kinda Party” is an instant energy boost every time it’s on, not being able to help but rock out when it hits the radio waves (or my iPod). Now, Aldean holds the no.1 video on both CMT and GAC with “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” and has earned main stage status at the CMA Music Festival. Like Hansel, he’s so hot right now.

Who will win: Jason Aldean

You know what, I’m going to go out on the limb here and say Jason Aldean does win Top Male Vocalist. Why not? He certainly deserves it, and while Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Blake Shelton may be the household names in the category, Jason Aldean’s popularity is right there with country fans.



Entertainer of the Year

Nominees:

* Jason Aldean
* Toby Keith
* Miranda Lambert
* Brad Paisley
* Taylor Swift
* Keith Urban

Who I voted for: Keith Urban

As far as sheer talent is concerned, no one, and I do mean no one, is more talented than Keith Urban. Few have the ability to shred on the guitar like he does, something Keith can do while holding a note to perfection. His songs are always among the best there is on country radio and he never stiffs you on a live show. All Keith Urban does every year is produce, produce and then produce some more, yet he rarely receives the love that he really deserves in the award department. It’s time to rectify that mistake.

Who will win: Brad Paisley

The guy is Mr. Consistency. All his songs cater to his fans, and while some people don’t necessarily love his style of country, Paisley has the talent to adapt to any song style there is in country music. On top of that, Brad Paisley is renowned for his live shows -- often being tabbed as the top act to see live for his true appreciation he gives to his fans. You gotta love Brad Paisley.



*Photo Source: By minds-eye (Brad Paisley) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons