Reba McEntire will host the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards live from the MGM Grand Las Vegas tonight, May 18. As Vince Gill is no stranger to hosting the CMA Awards multiple times, so it is with Reba, who will be leading the ACM show for the 10th time. With Reba at the helm, the pace will be lively and infused with the red head’s trademark quick wit.
Besides the requisite performances and trophy presentations, Garth Brooks will be on hand to perform a medley of his hits, as he will be honored with the academy’s Crystal Milestone Award. According to the ACM press release, “The Academy of Country Music Crystal Milestone Award is given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement. This award was originally acknowledged during a presentation in Hollywood last fall celebrating the Record Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) special recognition of Brooks’ 123 million in unit sales. As the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million sales mark, Brooks has been certified the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history. His most recent release, The Ultimate Hits, has been certified five times platinum.” The press release also featured comments from Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music, who said, “The academy wanted to more formally recognize Garth’s career achievements and success. We felt the only way to underline his unmatched contribution to the genre of country music was to recognize him on our awards show.” Garth also shared his thoughts about the prestigious honor he will receive this evening and said, “The ACM has always taken care of me and my music. From Gene Weed to Bill and Fran Boyd, the ACM family has been a frontrunner in my career. I am flattered and humbled by what this award means. The fact that they have never awarded it before makes me feel the respect and the faith they have in me as an artist, and I will continue to work my butt off to make sure they are happy with their choice.” Trisha Yearwood was announced as presenter for the evening. Gee, I wonder who will be proudly presenting such a special honor to her hubby?
And Garth isn’t the only artist receiving special recognition during the awards telecast. Rascal Flatts was recently announced as the 2008 recipient of the ACM/Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The ACM press release said the group was nominated for the award and chosen by a blue ribbon panel of country music big wigs, as well as philanthropic leaders for their community service efforts. As the recipients of this award, a KaBOOM playground will be built at a location of their choosing. Member Joe Don Rooney said of the honor, “We have been blessed with some incredible successes in our career the past couple of years. The most rewarding thing for us is the opportunity to give back to our communities. We’d like to thank The Home Depot and the Academy for recognizing us in such a humbling way.”
In addition to those special awards, the Jim Reeves International Award will be presented to Dick Clark, whose production company has been a long-time producer of the ACM show. Brenda Lee, the Oak Ridge Boys, Conway Twitty and Porter Wagoner will be the recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. Bill Anderson and Fred Rose will be honored with the ACM’s Poet’s Award.
Several musician, industry and radio awards were already presented. The winners were as follows:
Musicians, Band, Instrumental Awards:
Top Guitarist of the Year: Dann Huff
Top Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year: Matt Rollings
Top Bass Player of the Year: Michael Rhodes
Top Percussionist/Drummer of the Year: Shannon Forrest
Top Steel Guitar Player of the Year: Paul Franklin
Top Fiddle Player of the Year: Stuart Duncan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year: Jerry Douglas
Audio Engineer of the Year: Justin Niebank
Producer of the Year: Mark Wright
Industry Awards:
Night Club of the Year: Bill Bob’s, Ft. Worth, Texas
Casino of the Year: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year: Gil Cunningham, Neste Event Marketing
Promoter of the Year: Brian O’Connell, Livenation
Venue of the Year: Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, Virginia
Radio Awards:
National On-Air Personality: The Big D and Bubba Show and The Lia Show
On Air Personality - Major Market: Gerry House & The House Foundation, WSIX- FM, Nashville, Tennessee
On Air Personality - Medium Market: Valleri St. John, WWGR-FM, Ft. Meyers, Florida
On Air Personality - Small Market: Gator & The Styckman, WGSQ- FM, Cookeville, Tennessee
Radio Station - Major Market: WMIL- FM, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Radio Station - Medium Market: WUSY- FM, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Radio Station - Small Market: WGSQ- FM, Cookeville, Tennessee
Now, for the list of nominees. Here are my predictions and thoughts on who will win and who should win for each category at this year’s ACM Awards ceremony.
Entertainer of the Year:
Kenny Chesney - will win; should win
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Keith Urban
Riding high with the success of his latest release and his sell-out Poets and Pirates Tour, Mr. Chesney is a virtual a shoo-in for his fourth Entertainer of the Year nod in a row from the ACM. In fact, there are already rumblings that if he does win this award, he will almost be guaranteed the nod as entertainer of the decade in 2009 or 2010, which ever year the special award is handed out. As Garth Brooks was the last winner of this prestigious honor for the ‘90s, Chesney, should he indeed receive this honor, will be in outstanding company, which includes Alabama for the ‘80s and Loretta Lynn for the ‘70s.
Male Vocalist:
Rodney Atkins - will win; should win
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
I am going with Rodney Atkins on this one because he is on a roll with a string of four number ones all from his current release. He has garnered quite a following and has quickly become a fan favorite for his fun, sing-along anthems, such “If You’re Goin’ Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)” “Watching You,” and “Cleanin’ This Gun (Come On In Boy).” However, Brad Paisley has had another blockbuster year out on the road and could easily get a repeat win in this category.
Female Vocalist:
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
LeAnn Rimes
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood - will win; should win
New Opry member Carrie Underwood will undoubtedly keep her award show winning streak in tact with a no-contest win in this category. While Taylor Swift might give her a run for her money, she is still new and has not yet had the level of success enjoyed by Carrie, though she is quickly catching up. However, Carrie’s phenomenal success, including a string of multi-week number ones and two albums still in the 10 on the country albums charts, speaks for itself and she will walk away the victor in this category, her second in a row.
Vocal Group:
Diamond Rio
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts - will win; should win
Again, no surprise should occur here. Rascal Flatts, have dominated this category at all of the awards shows for the past few years and will continue to do so. The other groups nominated in this category, while all great, have not had the mega-success of the Flatts boys this past year. However, with a new label and new music on the horizon, I personally am hoping for Little Big Town to give them some stiff competition in the next couple of years.
Vocal Duo:
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Halfway To Hazard
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland - will win; should win
Kix and Ronnie better watch out, there is a new duo in town taking over. After nearly two decades of domination in both the ACM and CMA duo categories, Sugarland beat Brooks and Dunn at the CMAs back in November. As Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are coming off of a successful run as first-time headliners with a rabid fan base, I am predicting a Sugarland win here as well. The duo category is finally getting some real competition in the form of Sugarland, plus you can never count out a surprise upset by Montgomery Gentry.
Top New Male Vocalist:
Luke Bryan
Jack Ingram
Jake Owen - will win; should win
This is a really tough category to call. All three have had great success on the radio and out on tour this past year. I am a fan of all three guys, but I think academy voters might go for Jake Owen, with his deep, smoldering voice.
Top New Female Vocalist:
Sarah Buxton
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift - will win; should win
Unlike the female vocalist category, Taylor Swift will definitely bring home the hat trophy for new female vocalist. Her singles have consistently hit top 10 on the charts and her album, almost two years after its release, is still hovering at the top of the album charts. In the age of the Brittanys and Linsdeys of the pop culture world, Taylor (at the ripe old age of 18) is a breath of fresh air and someone young girls who enjoy her music can look up to.
Top New Duo or Vocal Group:
Carolina Rain
Lady Antebellum - will win; should win
The Wreckers
This category should be an easy call. The Wreckers, despite a wonderful initial buzz and successful singles, are no more; and Carolina Rain have had marginal success this year. Lady Antebellum, on the other hand, burst onto the scene as a force to be reckoned with. Their debut release is a huge critical success and has been hailed as one of the best debut albums released by a new group in years. And with their first smash single sitting in the top 10 at the moment, fans are snapping up copy after copy in stores and digitally online. Lady A’s sound is unique, and I love how members Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley trade off lead vocals on several songs, making them duets. Their unique voices blend well together, along with Dave Haywood, for some amazing vocals sprinkled throughout every track on the record. It also does not hurt that they have Victoria Shaw at the helm as their co-record producer or that they wrote or co-wrote all but one song on the release together.
Album of the Year [Award presented to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]:
5th Gear Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville) - will win; should win
Produced by Frank Rogers
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Miranda Lambert (Columbia)
Produced by Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates - Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
If You’re Going Through Hell - Rodney Atkins (Curb)
Produced by Rodney Atkins, Ted Hewitt
Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift (Big Machine)
Produced by Scott Borchetta, Nathan Chapman
# 6 Produced by Robert Ellis Orrall
Voters will probably take a look at the CMA winners from last November and vote for Brad’s album. With the success of the singles released off the record, and Brad Paisley’s current headling tour promoting it, I think this will be the winner.
Single Record of the Year [Award presented to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]:
Don’t Blink - will win
Kenny Chesney, Produced by Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
BNA
Famous In A Small Town
Miranda Lambert, Produced by Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
Columbia
Lost In This Moment
Big & Rich, Produced by Big Kenny, John Rich
Warner Bros/WRN
Stay - should win
Sugarland, Produced by Kristian Bush, Byron Gallimore, Jennifer Nettles
Mercury
Watching Airplanes
Gary Allan, Produced by Gary Allan, Mark Wright
MCA Nashville
In another tough category to call, voters will be torn between Chesney and Sugarland’s smash singles, arguably the biggest of their careers to date. Both are serious songs with tough subject matter and have strong videos to go along with them.
Song of the Year [Award presented to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]:
Don’t Blink - will win
Kenny Chesney
Writers: Casey Beathard, Chris Wallin
Publishers: Lavender Zoo Music (BMI), Mama’s Dream Music (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Acuff Rose
(BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Lost In This Moment
Big & Rich
Writers: Keith Anderson, Rodney Clawson, John Rich
Publishers: EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP), Romeo Cowboy Music (ASCAP), WB Music
Corp. (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Writer’s Extreme Music (BMI)
Moments
Emerson Drive
Writers: Dave Berg, Annie Tate, Sam Tate
Publishers: Gravitron (SESAC), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Watching You
Rodney Atkins
Writers: Rodney Atkins, Steve Dean, Brian White
Publishers: Bethar Music (BMI), Mike Curb Music (BMI), Multisongs (SESAC), Songs
From The White House (SESAC)
Stay - should win
Sugarland
Writer: Jennifer Nettles
Publishers: Jennifer Nettles Publishing (ASCAP)
See above comments in Single category. However, if Rodney Atkins’s song would have been nominated in the single category, it probably would have a much better chance at a win, as it was a huge multi-week number one smash last year.
Video of the Year [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]:
Don’t Blink - Kenny Chesney - will win
Producer: Tacklebox Films
Director: Shaun Silva
Lost In This Moment - Big & Rich
Producer: Big Kenny, Steve Lamar, Marc Oswald
Director: Robert Deaton and George Flanigen
Online - Brad Paisley - should win
Producer: Frames Per Second
Director: Jason Alexander
Stay - Sugarland - should win
Producer: Kristian Bush, Byron Gallimore, Jennifer Nettles
Director: Shaun Silva
Watching You - Rodney Atkins
Producer: Broken Poet Production
Director: Eric Welch
Many categories this year seem to be a battle between former tour mates Kenny Chesney and Sugarland. Both Chesney and Sugarland’s videos are very powerful, and Jennifer Nettles’ emotional reading in the bare bones performance video for “Stay” dominated the GAC and CMT video countdown charts for months. However, should voters go in an opposite direction, Brad Paisley’s hilarious video spoof for “Online” could take home the trophy.
Vocal Evcnt of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]:
Because Of You - Reba McEntire with Kelly Clarkson - should win
Produced by Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
MCA Nashville
Find Out Who Your Friends Are - Tracy Lawrence With Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney - will win
Produced by Julian King, Tracy Lawrence
Rocky Comfort/CO5
Shiftwork - Kenny Chesney with George Strait - should win
Produced by Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
BNA
Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore - Bon Jovi featuring LeAnn Rimes
Produced by Dann Huff
Mecury
What You Give Away - Vince Gill With Sheryl Crow
Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs, Justin Niebank
MCA Nashville
I am personally very partial to the smash Reba/Kelly duet, which I thought was a shoo-in for this category at last year’s CMAs. Tracy Lawrence was the surprise winner that night, and he might well take home a second award for his first big hit in nearly a decade. However, the King George/Kenny Chesney duet was a huge hit that was all over radio late last year and they could easily snag the hat trophy.
Well, there you have it, my predictions for tonight’s ACM Awards. I’ll be keeping score throughout the night to see how well I fared with my picks for each category. Stay tuned for a full recap/review of the show’s highlights and big winners.
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