Nominees for the 53rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced yesterday. My predicted winners are in bold.
But can we be honest here (I'll start)? REBA ... up for Female Vocalist of the Year- seriously? Don't get me wrong, I love her personally - but c'mon, she hasn't released a meaningful-charting single in years, certainly not in the past year. Lindsay El; Carly Pearce; Lauren Alaina, Cam, and Raelynn all are probably wondering what they did to piss off the ACM nominating membership.
And seriously ... I love Chris & Preston, but how in the world can they possibly still be considered "new" to anyone in Country!? Their first breakthrough hit ("I Love This Life") hit #2 THREE YEARS ago!?
Here's the full list of final nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean; Garth Brooks; Luke Bryan; Chris Stapleton; Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini; Miranda Lambert; Reba McEntire; Maren Morris; Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean; Thomas Rhett; Chris Stapleton; Keith Urban; Chris Young
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne; Dan + Shay; Florida Georgia Line; LOCASH; Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum; LANCO; Little Big Town; Midland; Old Dominion
New Female Vocalist of the Year
Lauren Alaina; Danielle Bradbery; Carly Pearce; Raelynn
New Male Vocalist of the Year
Kane Brown; Luke Combs; Devin Dawson; Russell Dickerson; Brett Young
New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year
High Valley; LANCO; LOCASH; Midland; Runaway June
Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
The Breaker - Little Big Town; California Sunrise - Jon Pardi; From A Room: Volume 1 - Chris Stapleton; Happy Endings - Old Dominion; Life Changes - Thomas Rhett
Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
"Better Man" - Little Big Town; "Body Like a Back Road" - Sam Hunt; "Broken Halos" - Chris Stapleton; "Drinkin’ Problem" - Midland; "I’ll Name the Dogs" - Blake Shelton
Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
"Body Like a Back Road" - Sam Hunt; "Female" - Keith Urban; "Tin Man" - Miranda Lambert; "Whiskey and You" - Chris Stapleton
Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
"Black" - Dierks Bentley; "It Ain’t My Fault" - Brothers Osborne; "Legends" - Kelsea Ballerin; i"Marry Me" - Thomas Rhett "We Should Be Friends" - Miranda Lambert
Songwriter of the year*(Off Camera Award)
Rhett Akins; Ashley Gorley; Hillary Lindsey; Shane McAnally; Josh Osborn
Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
"Craving You" – Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris; "Dear Hate" – Maren Morris featuring Vince Gill; "Funny (How Time Slips Away)" - Glen Campbell And Willie Nelson; "The Fighter" – Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood; "What Ifs" – Kane Brown Featuring Lauren Alaina