It’s that time again. The ACM’s are coming up this Sunday. Here are my completely biased guesses:
We will start with:
Group of the Year–
- Lady Antebellum
- LANCO
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- Runaway June
Let’s go ahead and eliminate Runaway and Lanco. Midland has had a nice 18 months, especially after winning the ACM last year for New Vocal Duo or Group… but this award is going to go to one of the Big 3… I’m calling an Old Dominion repeat.
Duo of the year
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- LOCASH
- Maddie & Tae
No-Go for Maddie & Tae and LOCASH… That leaves 3… And if I were to rank my speculation it would be FGL then Brothers Osborne with Dan + Shay claiming Duo of the Year after the most successful year of their career thus far.
Song of the year
- Break Up In The End– Cole Swindell
- Broken Halos– Chris Stapleton
- Meant To Be– Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
- Space Cowboy– Kacey Musgraves
- Tequila– Dan + Shay
- Yours– Russell Dickerson
Fun times for Dickerson and Swindell to be nominated but they better be happy with that, because there are 4 other songs that are far and away better… I will be forthright, I’m not a huge Spacey Kacey fan, but have learned to never count her out. One can’t bet against Stapleton either. I do think the 2 best songs were ‘Meant To Be’ and ‘Tequila’. Both songs have now officially crossed over to other formats, but I would be sad if Tequila didn’t win. Calling for a big night for Dan + Shay.
Male artist of the year
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Combs
- Thomas Rhett
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
Total crap-shoot here. My heart hopes that Thomas Rhett or Luke Combs win it. Although, Combs has already been awarded an ACM this year for ‘New Male Artist of the Year’, I feel that the committee would struggle to give an artist both awards, but if anyone has deserved it… It’s the 29 year-old North Carolina native. I’ll roll the dice, Luke Combs nominated for 2 awards… Give them both to the man!
Female Artist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert
- Ashley McBryde
- Maren Morris
- Kacey Musgraves
- Carrie Underwood
Unpopular pick here… I think Maren Morris wins. Even more unpopular, she is the most deserving. Nothing against McBryde, but she just won the ‘New Female Artist’ this year, I don’t think she’s at the level to sweep though. I do believe she and MM are the future though. I’m disappointing Kelsea Ballerini wasn’t at least nominated- maybe over McBryde even. Miranda hasn’t put in the work Maren has this year, and although not a knock, but Carrie was out of the game for a good portion of the year recovering from her fall and growing another human. The Dallas-native had a great album, massive cross-over hit with ‘The Middle’ and all out hustled last year. I’d like to see Maren Morris rewarded for her efforts.
Entertainer of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Kenny Chesney
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
Here is the big one. Tough call for sure. I know that show host Reba McEntire commented how she was disappointed in the lack of a female in the EoY category. I agree with her, although, the only fit I feel would have been the aforementioned Maren Morris and I don’t see her on the level as any of the 5 nominated this year. I’m just going to throw a dart here. I say Luke Bryan wins. No reason, just picking one.
Not going to lie, I may want to pull a Reba on Monday.. look at my guesses and ‘Take It Back.’
The biggest winners this year will be us fans… Reba hosting and 25 artists set to preform. It’s going to be an evening chalk full of great country music.