2016 ACM Awards Predictions

Here, Editor Lauren Black and two SLN contributors share their thoughts on six of the top ACM Awards categories, including the night’s biggest honor, Entertainer of the Year. 

2016 ACM Awards Predictions

The 51st Academy of Country Music Awards are just days away! As “Country Music’s Party of the Year” approaches and practically all of Nashville packs their bags for a few days in Sin City, we’re placing our bets on who will take home the awards at this year’s show.

Sounds Like Nashville Editor-In-Chief, Lauren Black, as well as SLN contributors Annie Reuter and Chuck Dauphin, share their thoughts on six of the top ACM Awards categories, including the night’s biggest honor, Entertainer of the Year, below.

Do you agree with their picks? Let us know in the comments section below!

Album of the Year

51st ACM Album

Lauren’s Pick: Chris StapletonTraveller
Chris Stapleton is on a roll, and I don’t see his bout of success coming to an end anytime soon. The industry has rallied around him like no other, and he’s more than deserving of his accolades. Traveller, produced by Dave Cobb, is a true work of art and simply cannot be ignored. Look for the soft-spoken Kentucky native to add another trophy to his growing collection on Sunday.

Annie’s Pick: Chris Stapleton – Traveller
This is a tough one and it will likely go to one of the Chris’: Chris Stapleton or Chris Young. Both singers have impeccable voices and immense success as songwriters and this is the first time their albums have been nominated in the category. While both Stapleton’s solo debut Traveller and Young’s fifth studio album I’m Comin’ Over were commercial successes, Stapleton ultimately deserves the award as his album was the most talked about and revered album release of 2015.

Chuck’s Pick: Chris Stapleton – Traveller
The craziest aspect of this year is that – more than any other in recent memory – one could make a substantial case for either of the five. Granted, Sam Hunt and Chris Young would be the favorites, but Thomas Rhett has developed quite a following with his shift in sound, Eric Chruch won a lot of critical acclaim with his “Surprise” album…..and while Chris might be a first-timer in this category, keep in mind that the ACM loves to be the first to award an artist. Still, it’s going to be tough to vote against the man who has opened the industry’s eyes about what true talent is, so Chris Stapleton….get your acceptance speech ready!

Vocal Duo of the Year

51st ACM Vocal Duo

Lauren’s Pick: Joey + Rory
This category is normally cut and dry. Brooks & Dunn had their run, Sugarland had theirs, and most recently, Florida Georgia Line dominated it. This year, though, I think we’ll see a new winner being crowned. I am going out on a limb here, but I’d like to see Joey + Rory take this one home. The duo made a huge impression this past year, not only on the genre as a whole, but on millions who followed their story through Rory Feek’s blog, This Life I Live. Joey’s strength through her battle with cancer and untimely death was sad, yet so inspiring. Their latest album was their best-selling release, and came around the time ACM voters had to cast their final ballots. I’m #TeamJoey+Rory on this one.

Annie’s Pick: Joey + Rory
Joey + Rory’s impact on country music was immensely felt this year as Rory Feek filled the world in on wife Joey’s battle with Stage 4 cancer through heartfelt posts on his blog, This Life I Live. Between joy and heartbreak, he reminded us all the significance of living each day to the fullest as it can all be taken away too soon. The duo released what would be their last album, Hymns That Are Important to Us, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart since its debut last month, proving the duo continues to inspire after the untimely death of Joey.

Chuck’s Pick: Maddie & Tae
It seems like an open and shut case. Florida Georgia Lines has dominated this category over the past few years, and on paper, one would think that trend would continue. There will be some attention given to Joey+Rory, and you can’t ignore the year that Brothers Osborne has had. Still, I am going to go out on somewhat of a limb and say that while the Big Machine Label Group keeps this category in the family, I think Maddie & Tae have a strong shot of dethroning the champions this year!

Vocal Group of the Year

51st ACM Vocal Group

Lauren’s Pick: Little Big Town
Little Big Town’s star continued to shine throughout the past year. With a mega-hit like “Girl Crush,” and a slot on one of the biggest tours of 2016 with Luke Bryan, there’s no denying the lovable quartet’s success. I’d be shocked if any other group won this trophy.

Annie’s Pick: Little Big Town
Two words: “Girl Crush.” Little Big Town ruled radio last year with their memorable single “Girl Crush” and unbeknownst to them caused a little controversy too, when some radio listeners allegedly misinterpreted the song’s lyrical content. Either way, the quartet showcase their powerful harmonies on the song and continue to display their staying power.

Chuck’s Pick: Little Big Town
There are a few categories that I think are going to be open and shut during the awards. One of these is Vocal Group. Simply put, nobody has had the year that Little Big Town has had – and though it would be refreshing to see the Zac Brown Band get some long overdue attention, I think Phillip, Karen, Kimberly, and Jimi will walk away with the award here – as well they should. They’re the best in the category this year – and sometimes, it’s just that simple.

Female Vocalist of the Year

51st ACM Female Vocalist

Lauren’s Pick: Carrie Underwood
This category has been dominated by Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert in recent years. While it may be a different story next year, it will come down to Underwood and Lambert once again, and I truly believe Underwood will re-claim the title. The timing is perfect for her to take home the prize – she has a new album, new tour, and let’s be honest, her vocals are top-notch.

Annie’s Pick: Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood’s vocal power is unlike any female in the genre. Her ability to belt those high notes while running around the stage in stilettos is impressive but don’t let those fancy costumes and footwear fool you, her voice is the focal point of every show. Underwood launched The Storyteller Tour earlier this year and has sold out every city she’s played in. She hasn’t won Female Vocalist of the Year since 2008 and thanks to a standout new album and sold out tour, Underwood should take the prize home once again.

Chuck’s Pick: Carrie Underwood
Kudos to Kelsea Ballerini for her career rise this year. I think she’s going to be a force to watch for years to come. Jana Kramer has definitely paid her dues over the years, and Kacey Musgraves continues to be a critical favorite. Still, as it has for the past decade, this is really a two-woman race. Miranda Lambert has won this category for the past six years, but I feel that we might see a return of Underwood to the winners’ circle. She’s definitely had the more high-profile year. I could be wrong – it’s happened before – but, look for Carrie to rise to the occasion.

Male Vocalist of the Year

51st ACM Male Vocalist

Lauren’s Pick: Chris Stapleton
I have a feeling that the other nominees in this category cringed when they realized they were nominated in a category alongside Chris Stapleton. It’s just plain and simple: Chris is a damn good vocalist and it’s downright “cool” to be a Stapleton fan right now.

Annie’s Pick: Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton is beloved in the Nashville community and thanks to a memorable performance last year at the CMA Awards with Justin Timberlake, not to mention taking home three awards, he quickly became the name on every country lover’s lips. Witnessing Stapleton in concert makes all this recognition easy to understand. The man needs no lighting displays, fireworks or special effects for his live show. He just opens his mouth and strums his guitar and people listen. This fact alone is a quality every Male Vocalist of the Year should have.

Chuck’s Pick: Dierks Bentley
Just like with the Album category, one could place a bet on either of these five, and you could make a believer out of me. Jason Aldean has won it the past few years, Brett Eldredge has built a steady following, Eric Church has continued to grow both critically and commercially, and then, there’s Chris Stapleton. But, Dierks Bentley has never won this category, and he continues to deliver consistent work. This one could be a surprise win for one of the industry’s good guys in Jake’s master!

Entertainer of the Year

51st ACM EOTY

Lauren’s Pick: Luke Bryan
Let’s face it: Each of the nominees in this category is deserving in their own right, so an argument could be made for each candidate. However, one seems to stand out among the crowd: Luke Bryan. The Georgia native has everything the Entertainer of the Year should embody – the hits, the charisma, the sold-out shows, the “it” factor. Though his career has skyrocketed, he’s remained down to Earth and is still loved by the industry. My bet is that Luke will be popping bottles to celebrate his big win in Vegas on Sunday night.

Annie’s Pick: Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks is two years into the Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood and he continues to break records with each new tour date announcement. Returning to many cities for the first time in nearly two decades, Brooks’ fans are showing up in record numbers and as a result, he has sold out several dates in each city he visits. While Brooks may have been away from the spotlight and the stage for several years, you’d never guess it from his energetic live show.

Chuck’s Pick: Luke Bryan
The ACM (wisely) took the fan vote out of the equation this year in the top prize, but I really don’t know if it makes any difference in the outcome. Garth Brooks will always be the Entertainer of any year – just like George Jones could have been voted Male Vocalist of any year from 1975-1990….Jason and Eric deliver solid crowds, and I would love to see Miranda break through here…..However, Luke Bryan is the Entertainer of the past year. He represents the format well on every level, and fan vote or no fan vote, I think the industry will continue to acknowledge this as he walks away with his third win here.

The 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will be broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 3 at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.