With the exception of the New Artist category, the 2014 ACM Nominees were announced this morning! And I couldn't be more excited! ACM night is my favorite of the year! All of the amazing artists who make the music we love, under one roof, having one hell of a time in VEGAS!! It doesn't get any better than that! Oh wait.. what am I thinking? Of course it gets better than that! Reprising their co-hosting rolls this year... the sexiest men in Country! The funniest men in Country! The one, the only BLUKE!! Blake Shelton & Luke Bryan will once again be MC-ing Country Music's party of the YEAR!!!
Now, let's get down to the nominees!
***My predictions in RED***
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Bryan
- Miranda Lambert
- Blake Shelton
- George Strait
- Taylor Swift
(Even though King George did win the CMA for ETOY, with this being fan-voted, I have to go with LUKE!)
Male Vocalist of the year
- Jason Aldean
- Lee Brice
- Luke Bryan
- Blake Shelton
- Keith Urban
(I absolutely love every single one of the guys in this category! I do! But again, I gotta go with Luke!)
Female Vocalist of the year
- Sheryl Crow
- Miranda Lambert
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
(I'm such a big fan of so many of these nominees! But Miranda Lambert will undoubtedly be the next Queen of Country Music. And I gotta go with her AGAIN this year!)
Vocal Duo of the year
- Big & Rich
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Love and Theft
- Thompson Square
(FGL had one of the best years, not just in country, but in the music spanning ALL genres!)
Vocal Group OF THE YEAR
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- The Band Perry
- Zac Brown Band
(LBT is proving that they are a force to be reckoned with! They've paid their dues and they deserve all the success in the world!!)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)
- Based On A True Story… – Blake Shelton
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
- Crash My Party – Luke Bryan
Producer: Jeff Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
- Here's To The Good Times – Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Republic Nashville
- Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: Mercury Records
- Two Lanes Of Freedom – Tim McGraw
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Label: Big Machine Records
(Not just because I'm such a huge fan of the album! I swear!! But, if I'm basing this on sales ALONE.. I GOTTA go with Crash My Party! 500,000 units in A WEEK!? Besides Taylor Swift, who does that anymore??)
Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)
- Cruise – Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Republic Nashville
- Highway Don't Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Label: Big Machine Records
- I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Producers: Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs, Matt McClure
Record Label: Curb Records
- Mama's Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville
- Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum
Producer: Frank Rogers
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)
- Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain) – Gary Allan
Songwriters: Gary Allan, Hillary Lindsey, Matthew Warren
Publishers: Always Alone Songs (ASCAP), Crystal Beach Music (BMI), Raylene Music (ASCAP)
- I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary
Publishers: Beattyville Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Happy Tears Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI)
- Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: 351 Music (BMI), Crazy Water Music (ASCAP), Little Blue Egg (ASCAP), Songs of Parallel (ASCAP), Vista Loma Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
- Mine Would Be You – Blake Shelton
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Ruttan
Publishers: Doc and Maggie Music (ASCAP), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Get A Load Of This Music (ASCAP), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Hopeless Rose Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
- Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum
Songwriters: Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor
Publishers: Blood Donor Music (BMI), Special Rider Music (SESAC)
Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) (TIE)
- Better Dig Two – The Band Perry
Producer: Eric Williams
Director: Declan Whitebloom
- Blowin’ Smoke – Kacey Musgraves
Producer: Josh Goldstein
Director: Honey
- Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
Producers: Tameron Hedge, Chandra LaPlume
Director: Shane Drake
- I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Producer: Karen Martin
Director: Eric Welch
- Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Reagan Rosson
Director: Trey Fanjoy
- Two Black Cadillacs – Carrie Underwood
Producer: Steve Lamar
Director: P.R. Brown
Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)
- Boys ‘Round Here – Blake Shelton Featuring Pistol Annies & Friends
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
- Cruise (Remix) – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly
Producers: Joey Moi, Jason Nevins
Record Label: Republic Nashville
- Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Label: Big Machine Records
- Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum
Producer: Frank Rogers
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
- We Were Us – Keith Urban And Miranda Lambert
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Capitol Records Nashville, Hit Red Records, RCA Nashville
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to ALL of the Nominees! It was truly an incredible year in Country Music!
The 49th Annual ACM Awards will air LIVE - Sunday April 6, 2014 @ 8/7c on CBS!
For all things ACM - visit: http://www.acmawards.com/
