It’s ACM season, and we here at The Shotgun Seat have all made personal selections as well as predictions for you all to enjoy! We hope you have a wonderful time watching this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, and feel free to join us for our live chat on Huckle!
Entertainer of the Year
Will win:
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan – Markus Meyer, Annie Dineen, Christina Bosch, Lydia Simonetti
Miranda Lambert
Eric Church
Should win:
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Eric Church – Markus Meyer, Annie Dineen, Christina Bosch, Lydia Simonetti
Markus: Why Miranda’s here, I have no idea. There is literally no explanation as to how anyone could possibly defend a nomination in this category. Anyways, Church made the best music of the five, while Brooks destroyed everyone in touring, so either would be fine by me as the winner. Can’t see anyone stopping Luke Bryan though, realistically.
Annie: I feel like this always goes to Luke. Until he stops shaking it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creeks, I don’t see that changing. Church had a hell of a year, and while I’d love to see it go to him, I’m not putting money on it.
Christina: Agreed with Annie and Markus, Luke Bryan always takes the big ones even though Church’s surprise album was by far better.
Male Vocalist
Will win:
Jason Aldean
Eric Church
Brett Eldredge
Chris Stapleton – MM, AD, CB, LS
Dierks Bentley
Should win:
Jason Aldean
Eric Church
Brett Eldredge
Chris Stapleton – MM, AD,CB, LS
Dierks Bentley
Markus: Love the new blood in this category, and also the fact that the names Blake Shelton and Sam Hunt are absent. Aldean could maybe take this, as he’s won the past three years, but even that’s a long shot. This is Stapleton’s to lose.
Annie: It’s the year of the Stapleton. Enough said.
Christina: 2 Grammys, #1 downloaded country album for months. Stapleton has this in the bag..
Female Vocalist
Will win:
Kelsea Ballerini
Jana Kramer
Miranda Lambert – MM
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood – AD, CB, LS
Should win:
Kelsea Ballerini
Jana Kramer
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves – AD, CB
Carrie Underwood – MM, LS
Markus: This should be Carrie Underwood. It shouldn’t be close. It will be Lambert.
Annie: Carrie’s been on everyone’s mind this year, and I don’t see someone like Kelsea managing to take this one. I’d like to see it go to Kacey because, aside from Pageant Material, she’s been doing cool things like singing with Miguel, and it’d be great to see that recognized.
Christina: I feel like Miranda wins this at every award show, I would love to see Kacey or even Kelsea since they have both had big years but I doubt it.
Vocal Group
Will win:
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town – MM, AD, CB, LS
Rascal Flatts
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Should win:
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town – MM, AD, CB, LS
Rascal Flatts
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Markus: Zac Brown Band, maybe? Nah, this’ll be Little Big Town in a landslide.
Annie: I’m with Markus on this one. The world crushed hard on LBT this past year.
Christina: Agreed all around, even non-country fans love Girl Crush.
Vocal Duo
(Editor’s Note: Already awarded pre-telecast. Winner – Florida Georgia Line)
Will win:
Brothers Osborne – LS
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line – MM, CB
Maddie and Tae
Joey + Rory – AD
Should win:
Brothers Osborne – CB, LS
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie and Tae
Joey + Rory – MM, AD
Markus: Joey + Rory winning this would be the greatest thing to have ever happened at one of these shows, and it may just come to fruition. We finally have a bit of an open field, with Maddie & Tae also positioned nicely for a potential upset. Still won’t bet against Florida Georgia Line… But for the first time in a long time, this will be an interesting category to watch.
Annie: I agree with Markus, but I think Joey + Rory may take this. Really hoping it pans out that way.
Christina: Unfortunately, although the FGL craze has died down to a simmer, I don’t think the fans recognize it yet. Joey + Rory would be a beautiful tribute but honestly, Pawn Shop by Brothers Osborne is my favorite album of the year so far.
Album
Will win:
Eric Church, Mr. Misunderstood – CB, LS
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Thomas Rhett, Tangled Up
Chris Young, I’m Comin’ Over
Chris Stapleton, Traveller – MM, AD
Should win:
Eric Church, Mr. Misunderstood – MM, CB, LS
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Thomas Rhett, Tangled Up
Chris Young, I’m Comin’ Over
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Markus: Listen, I’m all for new blood in any category… Just not when it comes in the form of bland Chris Young and pop/hip-hop/R&B/literally-anything-but-country Thomas Rhett. That said, Stapleton and Church both put together absolutely kick-ass records, and besides, this is a near lock for the former.
Annie: I don’t want to pick a ‘should win’ here. Stapleton and Church turned out incredible albums, and Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett redefined the sound of the genre. Chris Young’s album redefined his style and was a solid release all over. I’ll be happy to see any of these guys take it.
Christina: While I will be happy if Stapleton wins this, I think that Eric Church may pull an upset.
Single
Will win:
“Burning House,” Cam
“Buy Me a Boat,” Chris Janson
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town – MM, AD, CB, LS
“I’m Comin’ Over,” Chris Young
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt
Should win:
“Burning House,” Cam
“Buy Me a Boat,” Chris Janson
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town – MM, AD, LS, CB
“I’m Comin’ Over,” Chris Young
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt
Markus: I’m not the biggest fan of “Girl Crush”, but it was the year’s biggest hit without a shadow of a doubt. Nice to see Cam recognized here, and she may be LBT’s biggest threat.
Annie: iTunes chart runs, sales numbers, and amount of discussion surrounding “Girl Crush” speak for themselves. No other song had as big of an impact, though as Markus noted, Cam certainly places a strong second.
Christina: Agreed with Annie & Markus again, I think although “Burning House” has been a huge hit for Cam, there is no way it will beat out “Girl Crush”
Song
Will win:
“Burning House,” Cam – LS
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town – MM, AD, CB
“Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
“She Don’t Love You,” Eric Paslay
Should win:
“Burning House,” Cam
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton – LS, CB
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
“She Don’t Love You,” Eric Paslay – MM
Markus: What a lovely group! Every one of these songs is an example of superb songwriting, and voters really can’t go wrong. “Girl Crush” has a near-stranglehold on this, but I guess a Cam upset isn’t totally impossible.
Annie: I’m abstaining from a ‘should win’ here as well. I think it’ll go to “Girl Crush,” and I’d be happy to see any of the other songs crush it (ha, ha) as well.
Vocal Event
Will win:
“Hangover Tonight,” Gary Allan (Feat. Chris Stapleton)
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan (Feat. Karen Fairchild) – LS, CB
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban (Feat. Eric Church)
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’,” Miranda Lambert (Feat. Little Big Town) – MM, AD
“Wild Child,” Kenny Chesney (Feat. Grace Potter)
Should win:
“Hangover Tonight,” Gary Allan (Feat. Chris Stapleton)
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan (Feat. Karen Fairchild)
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban (Feat. Eric Church) – MM, AD, LS, CB
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’,” Miranda Lambert (Feat. Little Big Town)
“Wild Child,” Kenny Chesney (Feat. Grace Potter)
Markus: The Urban/Church and Chesney/Potter entries are absolutely excellent. The rest… Um… Yeah.
Annie: Eh. This category doesn’t make my heart sing this year, but “Raise ‘Em Up” was incredible and I’ll leave it at that.
Christina: Although I particularly do not love “Home Alone Tonight” I think it will win.