The ACM Awards are this Sunday!
We’re pretty blessed in the country music world. We get treated to various award shows spread throughout the year. Each May the ACM Awards are announced for the previous years best of the best in country music. We get to see the artists we love in all their glory as they prepare in anticipation of possibly winning an award their heroes may have won before them.
It’s always fun to look at the nominees and pick the winners. It’s difficult to be objective when picking the awards because we all have our favorite artists we wish would win every award.
Since it’s really not probably for our favorite artist to win all the awards I’ll take my stab at each of the awards.
We can look back next week to see how things went down…
ACM Awards 2011
The competition is stiff in each category. I found it difficult to pick the winners. Feel free to share my picks and comment on the sharing sites your agreement or disagreement.
Check out the full list of ACM 2011 Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Should Win
Keith Urban – If you have ever seen Keith perform live you know what I’m talking about. I saw Keith back in 2005 or 2006 at the local country festival. He was the closing headliner for the night and the show still stands out as one of the best I’ve ever seen. He had this way of capturing everybody’s attention for the entire set. It was crazy how he grabbed everybody in the audience with his guitar playing and singing. Every fan was in a trance for over an hour. It was great.
Will Win
Taylor Swift – This award is fan voted. You have to go with the power of Taylor and her fans. She’s been out on her big headlining tour over the past year and it’s been a huge show. I’ve only heard good things about how Taylor is blossoming into one of the best entertainers in the business. This will be another big breakout for the young star.
Top Male Vocalist
Should Win
Jason Aldean – This is probably the toughest one to call. I’d go with Jason Aldean as the front runner in this category by a slim margin. He’s been selling more records and having more consistent hits than any of the other guys.
Will Win
Blake Shelton – It’s a tough call, but I think Blake is going to win the same award he won in the fall at the CMAs. Blake has been a fan favorite. I think the folks in charge of giving this award out will try to give it to country’s newest superstar couple. Plus Blake really did have a great year. Let’s not discount that. The man has found his groove. Upbeat songs and some sweet ballads.
Top Female Vocalist
Should Win
Miranda Lambert – She’s the best female artist in country music. There is no argument with me about this fact. She’s putting out the best songs and finally having success on the charts. She deserves everything coming to her in the form of success. She’s the real deal and the award shows have understood that for the past couple years.
Will Win
Miranda Lambert – It’s a toss up with Taylor or even Carrie in this one, but I think Miranda will bring it home. She had a huge year and it’s really hard to argue against her winning this thing.
Top Vocal Duo
Should Win
Sugarland – They’re the best. I thought maybe Joey + Rory for a second, but I couldn’t do it.
Will Win
Sugarland – No contest. The new Brooks & Dunn of this award?
Top Vocal Group
Should Win
Zac Brown Band – Man is this a tough one to call. It’s really a two-horse race with ZBB and Lady Antebellum. Even Rascal Flatts got screwed from a nomination. I have to pick Zac Brown Band for their incredible talent as the ones that should win here.
Will Win
Lady Antebellum – They had too big of a year in 2010 to deny. They will take this thing home. If there is an upset this year it might be this category. Sometimes the award shows don’t copy each other and since Lady A already won a few Grammy’s maybe there’s hope for ZBB.
Album of the Year
Should Win
You Get What You Give by Zac Brown Band – It’s my favorite album on the list of nominees. I’d actually have to go with Jason Aldean and his My Kinda Party
Will Win
Need You Now by Lady Antebellum – They’ve been selling more records than anybody. It’s a great mix of country-pop songs to fill every emotion. These guys are a fresh sound and they’re being rewarded by fans and critics for their contributions to music.
Single Record of the Year
Should Win
A Little More Country Than That by Easton Corbin – Hands down my stand out song of 2010. This track was always a pleasure to listen to every time it came on the radio and it was played quite a bit throughout the year. It’s a throwback song that found a home in today’s modern country world.
Will Win
The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert– Nobody will be surprised to see Miranda take this award home. She had another huge year and it included her first ever number one single with this track. It was a huge hit that connected with listeners everywhere.
Song of the Year
Should Win
A Little More Country Than That by Easton Corbin – Again, this track was something special. Songs like this don’t come around very often and I think it deserve a little tip of the hat.
Will Win
A Little More Country Than That by Easton Corbin – Welcome to the big leagues Mr. Corbin. Easton rides away into the blue neon with a big smile on his face for a minor upset at the ACMs.
