Monday Memos: My 2014 ACM Nomination Predictions
Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘Monday Memos’, we are going to discuss my predictions for the 2014 ACM awards! Now this is a really big night for country music, and honestly all of the nominees deserve the various awards. However, I made a list for some of the artists that I believed went above and beyond the norm this year. Are y’all ready!?! Then let’s go!!!
Entertainer of the Year: George Strait
Although all of the nominees deserve this award, I definitely think that “King” George will walk away with it this year. His ‘Love is Everything’ album made its debut at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts and #1 on the Country Albums chart. This album further solidified George Strait’s place in history by becoming his 18th top 10 album on the Billboard 200 chart (tying him with Paul McCartney for the fourth-most top 10 albums among male artists in history). I think that this accomplishment alone is a true testament to George Strait’s career, also since this is his last opportunity to win this award, one more ACM award would be the perfect ended to a legendary career.
Male Vocalist of the Year: Luke Bryan
With mega hits this year such as: ‘Crash My Party’ (which peaked at #2 on the U.S. charts), ‘That’s My Kind of Night’, ‘Drink a Beer’ (which both peaked at # 1 on the U.S. charts), ‘Play it Again’ (which peaked at #9 on the U.S. charts), and a feature on the hit Florida Georgia Line track ‘This is How We Roll’ (which has peaked at #1 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs), Luke Bryan has been an inescapable force this year. With his catchy party songs, and new country vocals, Luke has taken over the airwaves, and in doing so has definitely proved that he was the male voice that represented country music this year.
Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
Throughout the past few years, Miranda has certainly shown us that she represents country music with the upmost respect and passion. This year was certainly no different, due in part to her amazing breakout hits: ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ (which is nominated for numerous awards at the ACMs, and has peaked at #20 on The Billboard charts, making this her highest peaking single to date, as of April 3rd, 2014), ‘All Kinds of Kinds’(which was praised by critics as “daring” and having a “meaningful and impacting message”), and ‘Automatic’ (which made its debut at #26 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay chart, making it Miranda’s highest debuting single to date, as of April 3, 2014). As if this weren’t enough, Miranda also had a hit duet with Keith Urban entitled ‘We Were Us’ (which peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay and U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts). With all of these hits under her belt, I can’t see how any artist has represented country music in a better light than Miranda Lambert.
Vocal Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line
When you think of country music duos, there are only 3 words that you think of…do you have it?…that’s right Florida Georgia Line! They had us rocking all year long with their infectious tracks: ‘Cruise’ (which peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Country charts, generated a remix featuring Hip-Hop/R&B vocalist Nelly that has yet to leave radio rotation, and lead them to global fame…not bad for a lead single!), ‘Get Your Shine On’, ‘Round Here’ (which both peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Country charts), ‘Stay’, and ‘This is How We Roll’ Feat. Luke Bryan (which both peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Country charts). With all of these hits and no signs that the momentum is stopping any time soon, is there really a better choice!?! Yeah I didn’t think so.
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum
Ever since they first came on to the country music scene in 2007 with their debut single ‘Love Don’t Live Here’ (which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart), Lady Antebellum have been an unstoppable force in country music. This past year they released their 5th studio album ‘Golden’, and the title perfectly describes the country group. ‘Golden’ produced a number of successful singles for the group, which included: ‘Downtown’, and ‘Compass’ (which peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay charts), and ‘Goodbye Town’ (which received praise from critics for its demonstration of the group’s continued growth). I believe that Lady Antebellum proves time and time again that they are the top tier group in Country Music, and they’re later album only further solidifies this.
Album of the Year: ‘Crash My Party’ by Luke Bryan
I think anyone who has followed Country Music this year knows that Luke Bryan has had a phenomenal run. Four must be a lucky number for Luke because his fourth studio album ‘Crash My Party’ had produced 4 hit singles. Throughout this album, Luke has shown his playful, party side (‘That’s My Kind of Night’), his romantic side (‘Crash My Party’ and ‘Play It Again’), and his soft and somber side (with ‘Drink a Beer’). With such a diverse album (which peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 and U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums), I don’t see how another album could receive the distinction that comes with this award.
Single of the Year: ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ by Miranda Lambert
Now this is a song that we’ve all heard all year long! This song has peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay and U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and as of November 2013, has sold 1,521,000 copies (yeah that’s A LOT!!!!). The song also received positive reviews from critics, who raved about the track’s tone and lyrics. What I really loved about this song is that it showed that after all these years; Miranda still has the same spunk and sass that made audiences first fall in love with her.
Song of the Year: ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ by Miranda Lambert
Ok…seriously consider how many times you’ve heard this song this year…exactly!!! This combined with everything that I wrote in the previous paragraph perfectly demonstrates why ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ IS Country Music’s ‘Song of the Year’.
Video of the year: ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ by Miranda Lambert
Honestly this is probably my favorite video of this year! I loved how she kept a tone of seriousness throughout the whole video, despite the fact that the lyrics were not serious at all. Miranda also had quite a few funny moments in this video where she played with her facial expressions. All in all, I really loved how this video showed just how comfortable Miranda is within her artistry, and also projected the confidence that the lyrics contain. If you haven’t seen this video, or just want to see it again, here you go: Miranda Lambert – Mama’s Broken Heart
Vocal event of the year: ‘We Were Us’ by Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert
Now you know that anything that Miranda Lambert is connected with is automatically going to be a HUGE success…and this song is no exception. What I really loved about this duet was Miranda and Keith’s ability to harmonize beautifully, and make this track a standout on the radio. These two artists certainly deserve all of the acclaim in the world because of this duet, and Keith’s phenomenal guitar skills on the track make this a “vocal event” that will not soon be forgotten.
National on Air Personality: Kix Brooks: ‘American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks’
This is definitely a no brainer. Anyone who turns on the radio at the end of the week has heard Kix Brooks’ show. The former second half of the country super duo ‘Brooks and Dunn’ has certainly made his mark on the other side of radio. His charismatic personality and charm has allowed audience’s to fall in love with him in a new way, and for these and numerous other reasons, proves that he definitely deserve this award.
- All photos and information used in this blog belong to the ACM Awards, George Strait, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Kix Brooks, American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, MCA (MCA Nashville), Capitol Nashville, Epic Nashville, Columbia Nashville, RCA Records Nashville, Republic Nashville, Capitol Nashville, Kobalt, Hit Red/Capitol Records, Arista Nashville, Jeff Stevens, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Chuck Ainlay, Trey Fanjoy, Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins, Jon Nite, Keith Urban, Nathan Chapman, any and all radio stations and/or producers associated with the American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks, ticketing.acmcountry.com, and all other original owners. I do not own anything in this blog. All opinions expressed in this blog are my own. I wrote this blog for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended.
