2013 American Country Awards nominees
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
It’s pretty much a strong bet that this category will go to either Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia Line. It is my bet that Luke will take home this — and all the other’s he’s nominated for — as his fans really show up for these types of award show. He won the ACM Entertainer of the Year award earlier this year thanks to the fan votes. Swift used to be a likely winner of these things but it seems her fans care more for her Pop/mainstream and CMA award shows than they do any other award shows.
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan wins this award because, well, his fans will give it to him. The only other one who really stands a chance is Aldean. But again. It’s Luke’s to lose.
Artist of the Year: Female
Kelly Clarkson
Sheryl Crow
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
I’d be surprised if Carrie’s fans didn’t vote her to win this one. I don’t see how anyone else here could take it home, especially given the reasoning above for Taylor Swift’s fan’s votes.
Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
The real surprise is how Florida Georgia Line isn’t here. So that means anyone here could win. Lady A and Rascal Flatts have active fans and like to award them things (RF has many People’s Choice awards). So, I suspect that either one of these two will take this one since FGL isn’t here.
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice
Hunter Hayes
Randy Houser
Scotty McCreery
Justin Moore
Well, Hunter Hayes was beat out by Lauren Alaina last year and Houser and Moore have been nominated in other categories before. McCreery won 2011’s award with his massive fan appeal and I don’t see how he won’t win here. He’s sold consistently well in stores but his success as a radio artist isn’t nearly as successful (yet) as the other 4. Still, his fans are massive, love him and they really do take an interest in getting him more awards. So unless HH somehow steals this, it’s Scotty’s to lose.
Artist of the Year: New Artist
Florida Georgia Line
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Cassadee Pope
Thomas Rhett
Now here’s an interesting category. I could see a case made for any of these performers but Really unless Cassadee’s “The Voice” fans vote her in, I think this is FGL’s to lose.
Album of the Year
Night Train, Jason Aldean
Here's To The Good Times, Florida Georgia Line
Two Lanes of Freedom, Tim McGraw
Based On A True Story..., Blake Shelton
Pioneer, The Band Perry
Again, I think FGL Will get a chance to win multiple awards at the ACAs. He’ll be joined by Jason Aldean as the front runners an Blake’s CMA winner could be a big contender as could Tim McGraw’s Grammy-nominee. In the en, I still think the more active, youthful fan vote for FGL and Aldean makes this one theirs to lose with the edge going to Aldean simply because he’s won this category before (the 2nd annual ACAs in 2011 for My Kinda Party).
Single of the Year
Cruise, Florida Georgia Line
How Country Feels, Randy Houser
Beer Money, Kip Moore
Better Dig Two, The Band Perry
One of Those Nights, Tim McGraw
Really there’s only one song that should win here and that’s “Cruise.” It is easily the biggest hit of this bunch with The Band Perry’s track being the second biggest hit. Also, FGL may have the most active voting group.
Single of the Year: Male
Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain), Gary Allan
One of Those Nights, Tim McGraw
The One That Got Away, Jake Owen
Wagon Wheel, Darius Rucker
Sure Be Cool If You Did, Blake Shelton
I’d love for Gary Allan to win here but I’m thinking Jake Owen’s gonna take the award for “The One That Got Away” or Darius Rucker will win it for the very likable “Wagon Wheel.” Yeah, let’s go with “Wagon Wheel” for the win.
Single of the Year: Female
Easy, Sheryl Crow
American Heart, Faith Hill
Mama's Broken Heart, Miranda Lambert
Begin Again, Taylor Swift
Two Black Cadillacs, Carrie Underwood
Two Words: Carrie Underwood. That is all.
Single of the Year: Duo/Group
Downtown, Lady Antebellum
Tornado, Little Big Town
Better Dig Two, The Band Perry
If I Didn't Have You, Thompson Square
Goodbye in Her Eyes, Zac Brown Band
Thompson Square’s won here before so they’ll win here again. It’s as if THE ACA producers decided that FGL Would win this if they were nominated here as ‘new artists’ so they’re ineligible though T2’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” won this in 2011. Oh well. T2 wins here with a great song.
Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
I Drive Your Truck, Lee Brice
All Over The Road, Easton Corbin
Somebody's Heartbreak, Hunter Hayes
How Country Feels, Randy Houser
Til My Last Day, Justin Moore
Now, here’s where Hunter Hayes can break out and get an ACA like he did as a new artist last year with “Wanted.” He’s got those active fans so unless Randy Houser and Justin Moore (and Lee Brice)’s fans stood up, this is double H’s to lose and he simply won’t.
Single of the Year: New Artist
Did It for the Girl, Greg Bates
Don't Ya, Brett Eldredge
Redneck Crazy, Tyler Farr
Cruise, Florida Georgia Line
Beer Money, Kip Moore
“Cruise” wins hands down. I would/could make a case for Brett Eldredge but he won’t win so why bother. “Cruise” is too big a juggernaut.
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
The Only Way I Know, Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church
Don't Rush, Kelly Clarkson and Vince Gill
Highway Don't Care, Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Boys 'Round Here, Blake Shelton with Pistol Annies
’m guessing “The Only Way I Know” wins but “Highway Don’t Care” could easily take the cake too. Still, you should always go with your first instinct so I’ll say Aldean/Bryan/Church take it home.
Touring Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band
This was one once by Carrie Underwood when it was “Touring Package of the Year” and then twice in a row when Jason Aldean took it home. So one could easily see these two as the front runners. 10 nominees makes for an Ocscar-like list of folks but In the end, I think Carrie takes this one back from Jason as she wasn’t nominated in the smaller 5 nominee category in 2012. Her fans will probably want to make a statement to CMA who has yet to put her in the Entertainer of the Year category too.
GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY - Music Video of the Year
Cruise, Florida Georgia Line
Tornado, Little Big Town
Sure Be Cool If You Did, Blake Shelton
Begin Again, Taylor Swift
Better Dig Two, The Band Perry
“Cruise” will win as it should be.
Music Video of the Year: Male
Take A Little Ride, Jason Aldean
Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain), Gary Allan
One of Those Nights, Tim McGraw
Wagon Wheel, Darius Rucker
Sure Be Cool If You Did, Blake Shelton
I’m gonna guess Blake Shelton wins somewhere and that this is where he wins for his “Sure Be Cool” video.
Music Video of the Year: Female
American Heart, Faith Hill
Mama's Broken Heart, Miranda Lambert
Someone Somewhere Tonight, Kellie Pickler
Begin Again, Taylor Swift
Blown Away, Carrie Underwood
Would LOVE Kellie to win but like Blake, I’m guessing Miranda’ll win somewhere and that somewhere is here with the spunky “Mama’s Broken Heart” video.”
Music Video of the Year: New Artist
Don't Ya, Brett Eldredge
Cruise, Florida Georgia Line
Crying On A Suitcase, Casey James
Beer Money, Kip Moore
Merry Go 'Round, Kacey Musgraves
I’m going to guess that FGL’s fans won’t vote much here since they’ve got the bigger one to worry about and as such, that opens this up for everyone else. In the end, I think Casey James’ fans got out the vote and power of American Idol and he will take this award
Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration
Tornado, Little Big Town
Highway Don't Care, Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Come Wake Me Up, Rascal Flatts
Better Dig Two, The Band Perry
If I Didn't Have You, Thompson Square
“Highway Don’t Care” will and should win here. It’s just too good of a video to not actually be noticed by fans.
Song of the Year (award goes to the songwriter(s)):
Better Dig Two, The Band Perry
Cruise, Florida Georgia Line
Hard To Love, Lee Brice
Highway Don't Care, Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
I Drive Your Truck, Lee Brice
Like Jesus Does, Eric Church
Mama's Broken Heart, Miranda Lambert
Merry Go' Round, Kacey Musgraves
Pontoon, Little Big Town
Wagon Wheel, Darius Rucker
A songwriter award, This one’s interesting. Last year “Springsteen” beat out less intersting fare and this year, each song showcases a different strength. In the end though, I think fans will give this to deserving writers so I’mg king with my heart and saying “I Drive Your Truck” or “Highway Don’t Care” wins though I’d be happy for just about any of these to win.
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