The Grammy Awards are an all-genre award show that have never been heavily about country music. Last year's show was unique, with the huge wins by Lady Antebellum, who, if you didn't watch the show last year, took home two awards in the country category, but also won the all-genre "Record of the Year" for "Need You Now." Country music had broken through in ways that it hadn't often been spotlighted.
Taylor Swift had done pretty much the same thing at the 2009 awards as Lady Antebellum did at the 2010 awards. (Note: even though it is 2012, the awards show this year is listed as the 2011 awards show.) Taylor took home the all-genre "Album of the Year" award for Fearless, plus 3 country category awards.
This year, however, there are no country artists nominated in the Record of the Year, Album of the Year or Song of the Year categories. There is one country group nominated for the all-genre New Artist of the Year, though. The Band Perry is that group, and they are nominated along with Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex. I'm not really familiar with the other artists, so I can't really predict this one. I have my fingers crossed the The Band Perry, of course.
Predicting award winners for an award show where the people voting may have no idea who the country artists are, is a little harder than with an all-country show. But, I'm gonna give it a try. See if you agree with me, and whether you do or not, I hope that you will use the Facebook comment section at the bottom of the page to make your own prediction or comment.
Be sure to watch the awards show this weekend. It can be found on CBS TV 13 in Sacramento, on Sunday, February 12th, starting at 8:00 pm, tape delayed.
And now, on with my predictions:
Best Country Solo Performance
Jason Aldean
[Broken Bow Records]
Martina McBride
[Republic Nashville]
Blake Shelton
Track from: Red River Blue
[Warner Bros. Records]
Taylor Swift
Track from: Speak Now
[Big Machine Records]
Carrie Underwood
Track from: Play On
[Arista Nashville]
Jason Aldean is performing on the show with Kelly Clarkson. It's his first time being nominated, and the first time performing on the show. Blake Shelton has a lot of recognition because of his spot on "The Voice," so people of all genres are aware of him. Taylor Swift is also a crossover star, so she has a really good shot, and everyone knows Carrie Underwood, as she got her start on American Idol. Martina has had some limited crossover into pop, but not as strongly as the others. All of these artists, except for Martina, have performance spots on this year's Grammy awards.
Who I want to win: I would like to see Taylor Swift win for "Mean."
Who will win: I think Taylor will take this one home.
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
[Broken Bow Records]
Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
[BNA Records]
The Civil Wars
Track from: Barton Hollow
[Sensibility Music LLC]
Thompson Square
Track from: Thompson Square
[Stoney Creek Records]
Jason and Kelly's duet has crossover appear, which gives it an edge over the others. Still, Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter's song, "You and Tequila" has really been popular. I'd have to say both The Civil Wars and Thompson Square are longshots.
Who I want to win: Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson's "Don't You Wanna Stay."
Who will win: Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson's "Don't You Wanna Stay."
Best Country Song
Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not
Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
Track from: Thompson Square
[Stoney Creek Records; Publishers: Sexy Tractor Music/Hope-N-Cal Music, Old Desperados/N2D Publishing]
Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
[Warner Bros.; Publisher: No Gang Music]
Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
[Show Dog-Universal Music; Publishers: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/Six Ring Circus Songs; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Five Hills Music]
Mean
Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
Track from: Speak Now
[Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music]
Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
[MCA Nashville]
You And Tequila
Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)
[BNA Records]
This one is tough. If you go with someone that has the most Grammy awards under their belt, you'd have to say Vince Gill, with 19 wins. Again, Taylor has been popular at the Grammy awards, but voters might want to spread the love and give this to Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter. Blake once more has that national attention being on "The Voice" as well.
Who I want to win: "God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes, performed by Blake Shelton.
Who will win: Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter for "You and Tequila."
Best Country Album
Jason Aldean
[Broken Bow Records]
Eric Church
[EMI Records Nashville]
Lady Antebellum
[Capitol Records Nashville]
Blake Shelton
[Warner Bros. Records]
George Strait
[MCA Nashville]
Taylor Swift
[Big Machine Records]
These are all great albums. Jason Aldean's Here for the Party was the top country album of 2011, so that says something. Eric Church's Chief is also critically acclaimed. Lady Antebellum's Own the Night is another excellent choice, and the Grammy voters will definitely remember them from last year's Record of the Year win. Unbelievably, George Strait has been nominated many times, but has only a single win to his name. It was in this category, for Troubadour at the 2008 Grammys. Taylor Swift's Fearless picked up this award in 2009.
Who I want to win: Lady Antebellum for Own the Night.
Who will win: Taylor Swift for Speak Now.
Be sure to watch this Sunday, February 12th, at 8:00 pm, on CBS 13 in Sacramento, to see how I did on my predictions.
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