48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards – CMIL Predictions
In just a few short days, Country Music’s biggest stars and hottest newcomers will gather in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for “Country Music’s Party of the Year,” the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
As we do each and every year, we’ve compiled our predictions for winners in each of the ACM Awards categories. This year, we’ve also included the official ACM Awards nomination criteria for each category to help fans better understand what each award is about.
Check out our predictions below. Be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts and predictions as well!
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
· Jason Aldean
· Luke Bryan
· Miranda Lambert
· Blake Shelton
· Taylor Swift
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to the individual, duo or group who showed the most overall success in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1 st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success of music videos, vocal performances, live concert ticket sales, artistic merit, appearances on television, appearances in films, songwriting, success in digital media, and contributions to the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The final nominees are voted on by the ACM professional membership with the winner being determined by a combination of votes from the professional membership of the ACM and fan voting (online and/or text).
CMIL Prediction: Will Taylor Swift pull off a third consecutive win in this category? She has a great shot, but Luke Bryan may be giving her a run for her money. He’s had a breakout year and has a history of winning fan voted awards. Our money is on the “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” singer. However, it’s worth noting that none of the nominees’ numbers compare to Jason Aldean’s. Have a look for yourself. Be sure to vote for your favorite through Sunday at VoteACM.com.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
· Jason Aldean
· Luke Bryan
· Eric Church
· Toby Keith
· Blake Shelton
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to an outstanding individual male vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1 st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: This category is a tough call! While each of the nominees are deserving of the title, we think this is Jason Aldean’s year. His Night Train album sold more than one million copies in just four weeks, giving him the biggest debut by a male artist in five years. In addition, the singer’s ‘My Kinda Party’ Tour continued its run of sold out shows and played to more than 2 million fans. He’s also had constant success at Country radio and had many high-profile performances and appearances throughout the year.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
· Miranda Lambert
· Martina McBride
· Kacey Musgraves
· Taylor Swift
· Carrie Underwood
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to an outstanding individual female vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1 st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: Miranda Lambert has dominated this category for the past three years. There’s a good chance she’ll pull off a fourth consecutive win, but we’re thinking Carrie Underwood will reclaim the award this year. She’s had incredible success with her Blown Away album and tour, which in our opinion, gives her the upper hand this year.
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
· Big & Rich
· Florida Georgia Line
· Love and Theft
· Sugarland
· Thompson Square
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to an outstanding duo featuring at least one vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of prerecorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: Thompson Square was shocked to take home the ACM in this category for the first time last year, but will they bring it home again? It’s definitely a toss up. The past year was a breakout year for Florida Georgia Line. The hot new duo came out of the gate strong with a multi-week No.1 single with “Cruise” and earned the highest debut album sales of 2012 for a new Country artist. We’re in Vegas and we’re putting all of our money on FGL.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
· The Band Perry
· Eli Young Band
· Lady Antebellum
· Little Big Town
· Zac Brown Band
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to an outstanding group featuring at least one vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: Little Big Town…no explanation needed.lee
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S DEPARTMENT STORES
[Winners of New Male, New Female & New Vocal Duo or Group Of The Year]
· Florida Georgia Line
· Brantley Gilbert
· Jana Kramer
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to an outstanding male vocalist, female vocalist, duo or group in the country music industry who gains either initial fame or significantly greater recognition through their efforts during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. The artist(s) must have success in digital media, charted a single in the Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts; and/or sold 100,000 album units reflected in Nielsen SoundScan during the qualifying period. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winners in the (3) three individual newcomer categories (New Male Vocalist, New Female Vocalist and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year) shall be deemed nominees for New Artist of the Year and will compete for the overall title. The New Artist of the Year winner is determined by a combination of votes from the ACM professional membership and fan voting (online and/or text).
CMIL Prediction: It’s a close race, but we think Florida Georgia Line has what it takes to bring this home after the year they’ve had. Fans have a say in this one and when it comes down to it, FGL has a rabid fan base. You can cast your vote for ACM New Artist of the Year at VoteACM.com.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
[Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
· Blown Away – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
· Chief – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)
Produced by: Jay Joyce
· Red – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Jeff Bhasker, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker, Dan Wilson
· tailgates & tanlines – Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright, Jeff Stevens
· Tornado – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)
Produced by: Jay Joyce
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music album during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: Although no one can come close to the sales of Taylor Swift’s Red (it’s moved more than 6 million copies worldwide), we’re thinking Carrie Underwood’s platinum-certified album Blown Away will be crowned Album of the Year.
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
[Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
· Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville)
Produced by: Mike Wrucke
· Over You – Miranda Lambert (RCA)
Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
· Pontoon – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)
Produced by: Jay Joyce
· Springsteen – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)
Produced by: Jay Joyce
· Wanted – Hunter Hayes (Atlantic/WMN)
Produced by: Hunter Hayes, Dann Huff
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music single during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media and impact of the single on consumers and the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: We have a feeling Little Big Town will continue their streak of success and take this one home. Who doesn’t love “Pontoon?”
SONG OF THE YEAR
[Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
· A Woman Like You – Lee Brice
Composers: Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone
Publishers: 3JB Music (BMI), Adios Pantalones (SESAC), Hears That Skyline Music (SESAC), Sixteen Stars Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
· Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band
Composers: Will Hoge, Eric Paslay
Publishers: Cal IV Songs (ASCAP), Will Hoge Music (BMI)
· Over You – Miranda Lambert
Composers: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton
Publishers: Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)
· Springsteen – Eric Church
Composers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell
Publishers: Bug Music (BMI), Ole Purple Cape Music (BMI), Sinnerlina (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)
· Wanted – Hunter Hayes
Composers: Hunter Hayes, Troy Verges
Publishers: Happy Little Man Publishing (BMI), Songs From The Engine Room (BMI), Songs Of Universal Inc. (BMI)
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to the songwriter(s), publisher(s), and artist(s) of an outstanding country music song during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media and impact of the song on consumers and the country music industry. A Blue Ribbon Panel of 1 (one) representative from each Membership Class, 1 (one) representative from each Performing Rights Organization (PRO), and 3 (three) established songwriters will submit 5 (five) nominees, which will be placed on the final ballot once approved by the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: A valid argument could be made for each of these songs, but the stand out for us is”Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” Recorded by the Eli Young Band and written by Will Hoge, Eric Paslay, this No.1 hit encourages listeners to never give up. It has all of the elements of a great Country song and we think it’s the top contender.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) [TIE]
· Creepin’ – Eric Church
Producer: Iris Baker
Director: Peter Zavadil
· Merry Go ‘Round – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Perry Bean, Kacey Musgraves
Director: Perry Bean
· Tornado – Little Big Town
Producer: Iris Baker
Director: Shane Drake
· Wanted – Hunter Hayes
Producers: Stephanie Reeves, Eric Williams
Directors: Traci Goudie, Patrick Hubik
· We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift
Producer: John Nguyen
Director: Declan Whitebloom
· The Wind – Zac Brown Band
Producer: Ben Kalina
Director: Mike Judge
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to the producer(s), director(s) and artist(s) performing in an outstanding country music video during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. Emphasis shall be placed on creativity, production, visual appeal and impact on consumers and the country music industry. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: Eric Church’s “Creepin'” includes all of the elements of an “outstanding music video.” It’s creative, visually appealing, the production is spot on and it got everyone talking. We’re predicting Church will pull off a win in this category.
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
[Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
· Don’t Rush – Kelly Clarkson Featuring Vince Gill (19/RCA/Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Dann Huff
· Easy – Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Dann Huff, Brian Kennedy, Rascal Flatts
· Feel Like A Rock Star – Kenny Chesney (Duet With Tim McGraw) (Blue Chair/BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
· Let It Rain – David Nail Featuring Sarah Buxton (MCA Nashville)
Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell
· The Only Way I Know – Jason Aldean With Luke Bryan & Eric Church (Broken Bow)
Produced by: Michael Knox
Nomination/Voting Criteria: This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music vocal event single record during the prior calendar year of December 1st to November 28th. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media, video exposure and artistic merit of the single. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.
CMIL Prediction: There’s no debating this category.The chart-topping hit “The Only Way I Know,” with Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Eric Church, is a vocal event if there’s ever been one. With star power like that, it has to win.
What are your predictions for the 48th Annual ACM Awards?
Tune in to watch the ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
