Country Universe – A Country Music Blog

Single Review: The JaneDear Girls, “Shotgun Girl”

Sunday, February 20th, 2011

Yea-a Yeah.

Yea-a-a Yeah.

I’m gonna go with no.

Grade: D

Listen: Shotgun Girl

 

Single Review: Kip Moore, “Mary Was the Marrying Kind”

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

Kip Moore’s debut single is an almost country spin on River-era Bruce Springsteen, via early Billy Ray Cyrus.

You might want to let that sink in before deciding to click the Listen link.

If you’re still interested, then you’ll be happy to know that “Mary Was the Marrying Kind” is really good, a promising debut single from a guy who can string together clever lyrics without sacrificing the heartfelt sentiment.

I found all of the girls in this song interesting and believable. I’d buy a concept album that fleshed out the back story of each one.  But Mary is the main focus, and he definitely let a good one go.  Kudos for him allowing us to reach that conclusion on our own, just by his choice of details and the weathered regret in his voice.

Further proof that 2011 is exceeding expectations.

Written by Dan Couch, Kip Moore and Scott Stepakoff

Grade: A

Listen: Mary Was the Marrying Kind

Single Review: Toby Keith, “Somewhere Else”

Friday, February 18th, 2011

“Somewhere Else” has a groove that is very similar to “Trailerhood”, the lead single from the set that features both songs.

The slightly meatier content of this one likely gives it a longer shelf life.  Keith does breakup about as good as anybody, and he sounds great, as always. I don’t think the guy is capable of turning in a weak vocal performance.

It’s not his best song, but it’s as good as any of his typical radio filler. He’s way overdue for another career record, but this will do for now.

Written by Toby Keith and Bobby Pinson

Grade: B

Listen: Somewhere Else

Single Review: Eric Church, “Homeboy”

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Talk about a missed opportunity.

“Homeboy” is an impassioned plea for a small town boy to reject the forces that are leading him down a path of no return, one where family is rejected, values are corrupted, and incarceration is likely the end of the road.

In small town America today, that force is crystal methamphetamine.  In Eric Church’s “Homeboy”, that force is sagging pants and a “hip-hop hat.”

I don’t know if there’s ever been a stronger challenge to the myth of rural idyllicism than the proliferation of hometown, homemade drugs that are destroying the fabric of small towns across the country.

“Homeboy”  miscasts the enemy as the other, instead of confronting the enemy within.

Grade: C

Listen: Homeboy

Single Review: Kenny Chesney, “Live a Little”

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

It starts with a pure pop/rock intro that goes on a little too long, but provides for a pleasantly jarring transition into acoustic country.  The first thirty seconds have that contrast which made Shania Twain’s The Woman in Me hits work so well.

But then it quickly disintegrates to generic Chesney: loud but not assertive, cute but not clever, upbeat but not uplifting.

It’s like listening to Bob Saget cover Sugarland’s “Something More.”

Written by Shane Minor and David Lee Murphy

Grade: C

Listen: Live a Little

Say What? Classic – Carlene Carter

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

From an interview with New Country in 1995:

It bugs me when I do something that I really think is great and they don’t acknowledge it at all. It’s kind of weird for me, but I don’t slit my wrists. What would kill me is if I did something that I didn’t believe in at all, that I hated, just because they said you’ll have a hit, and then it wasn’t a hit.  That, to me, would be death.

Thoughts?

2011 Grammy Awards: A Hollow Victory For Country Music

Monday, February 14th, 2011

The increasing presence of country in the general categories of the Grammy Awards is undeniable.

In three of the past five years, an artist with connections to country music has won Album of the Year.   The same ratio applies for the Record of the Year category.   In the same time frame, two country artists have won Song of the Year and two have won Best New Artist.

That’s all good and well, and would be seen as a positive for the genre if not for one pesky problem.  All of the artists and songs and albums that have been emerging victorious have been nearly indistinguishable from adult Top 40 music.

All that’s changing is the decreasing artistic credibility.  With all due respect to Lady Antebellum, they’re a step down from last year’s victors, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band, who in turn are nowhere near in the same league as Dixie Chicks and Alison Krauss.

What happened at this year’s Grammys in the marquee categories is a continuation of the organization’s strongest weakness.  When the best music of the year is in a style that is palatable to Adult Top 40 and Adult Contemporary radio, they are quick to honor it accordingly. But when it comes in a more challenging musical format – hip-hop, alternative rock, traditional country, dance, even bubblegum pop – it will nominate said work, but it won’t emerge victorious, unless one of the subgenres is nominated against another.

So forgive me for not throwing hosannas up in the air for Lady Antebellum winning with the terribly pedestrian “Need You Now.” Is it one of the best country records of the past year?  Probably. But country music is in such a creative nadir that it didn’t have much business in the Record or Song categories, and their entry was less artistically significant than every nominee that lost to it.

It borders on disgrace that an urban or hip-hop record hasn’t won Record of the Year at this point.  There were four excellent opportunities to right that wrong this year, to make up for overlooking “Waterfalls”, “Gangsta’s Paradise”, “No Scrubs”, “Say My Name”, “Ms. Jackson”, “Lose Yourself”, “Crazy in Love”, “Hey Ya!”, “Gold Digger”, “Irreplaceable”, “Umbrella”, and “Paper Planes.”

Much like the lack of female nominees for CMA Entertainer of the Year, you can make the case that most of those records may have lost to better contenders, but good luck making the case this year.  If country music is going to rain on the parade of a genre that’s long overdue for recognition at the Grammys, it would be nice if said country music was actually good. Or actually country. Or both.

2011 Grammy Winners

Monday, February 14th, 2011

General Categories

Album of the Year: Arcade Fire, The Suburbs

Record of the Year: Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Song of the Year: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, “Need You Now”

Best New Artist: Esperanza Spalding

Genre Categories

Best Country Album: Lady Antebellum, Need You Now

Female Country Vocal Performance: Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me”

Male Country Vocal Performance: Keith Urban, “‘Til Summer Comes Around”

Country Duo/Group Vocal Performance: Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Country Song: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, “Need You Now”

Country Collaboration with Vocals: Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

Country Instrumental Performance: Marty Stuart, “Hummingbyrd”

Bluegrass Album: Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul II

Americana Album: Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone

Traditional Folk Album: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Genuine Negro Jig

Contemporary Folk Album: Ray LaMontagne And The Pariah Dogs, God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise

Southern/Country/Gospel Bluegrass Album: Diamond Rio, The Reason

Traditional Gospel Album: Patty Griffin, Downtown Church

2011 Grammy Pre-Telecast Winners

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Refresh for updates. Major categories will be announced above the fold:

Male Country Vocal Performance: Keith Urban, “‘Til Summer Comes Around”

Country Duo/Group Vocal Performance: Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Country Song: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, “Need You Now”

Country Collaboration with Vocals: Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

Country Instrumental Performance: Marty Stuart, “Hummingbyrd”

Bluegrass Album: Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul II

Americana Album: Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone

Traditional Folk Album: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Genuine Negro Jig

Contemporary Folk Album: Ray LaMontagne And The Pariah Dogs, God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise

Southern/Country/Gospel Bluegrass Album: Diamond Rio, The Reason

Traditional Gospel Album: Patty Griffin, Downtown Church

_____

Short Form Music Video: Lady GaGa, “Bad Romance”

Long Form Music Video: The Doors, When You’re Strange

Recording Package: The Black Keys, Brothers

Boxed Limited Edition Package: The White Stripes, Under Great White Northern Lights

Album Notes: Big Star, Keep an Eye on the Sky

Historical Album: The Beatles, Original Studio Recordings

Engineered Album, Non-Classical: John Mayer, Battle Studies

Remixed Recording: Madonna, “Revolver (David Guetta’s One Love Club Remix)”

Surround Sound Album: Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony, Britten’s Orchestra

Instrumental Composition: Billy Childs, “The Path Among the Trees”

Instrumental Arrangement: John Scofield, Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orkest, “Carlos”

Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals: Christopher Tin, Soweto Gospel Choir & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, “Baba Yetu”

Compilation Soundtrack Album: Crazy Heart

Score Soundtrack Album: Toy Story 3

Motion Picture, TV, Visual Media Song: Ryan Bingham & T. Bone Burnett, “The Weary Kind”

New Age Album: Kitaro, Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai, Volume 4

Children’s Musical Album: Pete Seeger With The Rivertown Kids And Friends, Tomorrow’s Children

Children’s Spoken Word Album: Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Andrews’ Collection Of Poems, Songs, And Lullabies

Spoken Word Album: Jon Stewart (With Samantha Bee, Wyatt Cenac, Jason Jones, John Oliver & Sigourney Weaver), The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Audiobook)

Musical Show Album: Billie Joe Armstrong, American Idiot (Featuring Green Day)

Hawaiian Music Album: Tia Carrere, Huana Ke Aloha

Native American Music Album: Various Artists, 2010 Gathering Of Nations Pow Wow: A Spirit’s Dance

Zydeco/Cajun Music Album: Chubby Carrier And The Bayou Swamp Band, Zydeco Junkie

Reggae Album: Buju Banton, Before The Dawn

Traditional World Music Album: Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté, Ali And Toumani

Contemporary World Music Album: Béla Fleck, Throw Down Your Heart , Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks

Dance Recording: Rihanna, “Only Girl (In the World)”

Electronic/Dance Album: La Roux, La Roux

Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Michael Bublé, Crazy Love

Latin Pop Album: Alejandro Sanz, Paraiso Express

Latin Rock/Alternative/Urban Album: Grupo Fantasma, El Existential

Tropical Latin Album: Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Viva La Tradición

Tejano Album:Little Joe & La Familia, Recuerdos

Norteño Album:Intocable, Classic

Banda Album:El Güero Y Su Banda Centenario, Enamórate De Mí

Gospel Performance: BeBe & CeCe Winans, “Grace”

Gospel Song: Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, “It’s What I Do”

Rock or Rap Gospel Album: Switchfoot, Hello Hurricane

Pop Contemporary Gospel Album: Israel Houghton, Love God. Love People.

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: BeBe & CeCe Winans, Still

Engineering, Classical: TIE: Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina AND Eliesha Nelson & John McLaughlin Williams, Quincy Porter: Complete Viola Works

Orchestral Performance: Giancarlo Guerrero, Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina

Opera Recording:Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin; Rundfunkchor Berlin, Saariaho: L’Amour De Loin

Choral Performance: Riccardo Muti, conductor; Duain Wolfe, chorus master, “Verdi: Requiem”

Instrumental Solo w/Orchestra: Mitsuko Uchida, “Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 23 & 24″

Instrumental Solo w/o Orchestra: Paul Jacobs, “Messiaen: Livre Du Saint-Sacrement”

Chamber Music Performance:Parker Quartet, “Ligeti: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2″

Small Ensemble:Jordi Savall, conductor; Hespèrion XXI & La Capella Reial De Catalunya, “Dinastia Borja”

Classical Vocal Performance:Cecilia Bartoli, “Sacrificium”

Classical Contemporary Composition: Michael Daugherty, “Deus Ex Machina”

Classical Crossover:Lucas Richman, Christopher Tin: Calling All Dawns

Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost

Classical Album: Verdi: Requiem

Comedy Album: Lewis Black, Stark Raving Black

Contemporary Jazz Album: The Stanley Clarke Band, The Stanley Clarke Band

Jazz Vocal Album:Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee

Improvised Jazz Solo: Herbie Hancock, “A Change is Gonna Come”

Jazz Instrumental Album: James Moody, Moody 4B

Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Mingus Big Band, Live At Jazz Standard

Latin Jazz Album: Chucho Valdés And The Afro-Cuban Messengers, Chucho’s Steps

Alternative Music Album: The Black Keys, Brothers

Traditional Blues Album:Pinetop Perkins & Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith, Joined At The Hip

Contemporary Blues Album: Buddy Guy, Living Proof

Rap Solo Performance: Eminem, “Not Afraid”

Rap Duo/Group Performance: Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz, “On to the Next One”

Rap/Sung Collaboration: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”

Rap Song: Shawn Carter, Angela Hunte, Alicia Keys, Jane’t “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic & Alexander Shuckburgh, “Empire State of Mind”

Female R&B Vocal Performance: Fantasia, “Bittersweet”

Male R&B Vocal Performance: Usher, “There Goes My Baby”

Duo/Group R&B Vocal Performance: Sade, “Soldier of Love”

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: John Legend & The Roots, “Hang On In There”

Urban/Alternative Performance: Cee Lo Green, “F*** You”

R&B Song: John Stephens, “Shine”

R&B Album: John Legend & The Roots, Wake Up!

Contemporary R&B Album: Usher, Raymond V Raymond

Solo Rock Vocal Performance: Paul McCartney, “Helter Skelter”

Duo/Group Rock Vocal Performance: The Black Keys, “Tighten Up”

Hard Rock Performance: Them Crooked Vultures, “New Fang”

Metal Performance: Iron Maiden, “El Dorado”

Rock Instrumental Performance: Jeff Beck, “Hammerhead”

Rock Song: Neil Young, “Angry World”

Pop Collaboration with Vocals: Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare, “Imagine”

Pop Instrumental Performance: Jeff Beck, “Nessun Dorma”

Pop Instrumental Album: Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto, Take Your Pick

Female Pop Vocal Performance: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Male Pop Vocal Performance: Bruno Mars, “Just the Way You Are”

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Danger Mouse

Grammy Awards 2011: Staff Picks & Predictions

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year again: the 2011 Grammy Awards air this Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern. Country music has its hand in the Grammy pot via major nominations for Lady Antebellum, performances by Miranda Lambert, Lady A and Martina McBride, and appearances by Keith Urban, Zac Brown, Blake Shelton and Kris Kristofferson. We’ve picked and predicted the awards below – chime in with your own thoughts, and stop by on Sunday night for our live blog!

Album of the Year

Should Win

• Arcade Fire, The Suburbs - Dan
• Eminem, Recovery - Kevin, Tara
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
• Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster
• Katy Perry, Teenage Dream

Will Win

• Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
• Eminem, Recovery - Kevin, Dan, Tara
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
• Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster
• Katy Perry, Teenage Dream

Kevin: In a field of newer artists, Eminem is the established veteran that is overdue for this award. It helps that he also made the best album of his career, as well as of the five nominees.

Dan: I could actually see Lady A coming out on top, since they’ve moved a lot of units and are the least divisive act here. But Recovery was a big comeback, and NARAS likes to use this award as a lifetime achievement thing. I don’t like that tendency, though; I’d rather we just reward the best set. To me, that was Arcade Fire’s ambitious concept album.

Tara: I really respect The Suburbs and really dig Recovery. Both are deserving, but Eminem probably has the edge with NARAS for the reasons stated above. (PS – I’m still not over it. TEENAGE DREAM?)

Record of the Year

Should Win

• B.O.B featuring Bruno Mars, “Nothin’ On You”
• Eminem featuring Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie”
• Cee Lo Green, “F*** You” - Dan, Tara
• Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind” - Kevin
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Will Win

• B.O.B featuring Bruno Mars, “Nothin’ On You”
• Eminem featuring Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie”
• Cee Lo Green, “F*** You”
• Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now” - Kevin, Dan, Tara

Kevin: Perhaps it’s an instinctual reaction as a native New Yorker, but I still get chills every time I hear “Empire State of Mind.” Jay-Z’s casual “Long live the World Trade” in the second verse perfectly captures how our city moved briskly forward after 9/11 like we always do, but we haven’t forgotten it.

No Urban or Hip-Hop record has ever won this award, so it pains me to predict that Lady Antebellum will triumph over four better records. I hope I’m wrong.

Dan: Cee Lo’s viral novelty hit was one of last year’s biggest delights. I could see this award going to any track but “Nothin’ On You,” but suspect voters will probably go with the least edgy track.

Tara: I could make an argument for four of the five songs here, but I can’t peel myself away from Green’s personality-packed throwback hit that practically begs you to love it. And do I. I agree with Dan and Kevin, though, that Lady A will take this.

Song of the Year

Should Win

• “Beg, Steal, or Borrow” – Ray LaMontagne
• “F*** You!” – Brody Brown, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence & Bruno Mars
• “The House That Built Me” – Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin - Kevin, Tara
• “Love the Way You Lie” – Alexander Grant, Skylar Grey & Marshall Mathers
• “Need You Now” – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Will Win

• “Beg, Steal, or Borrow” – Ray LaMontagne
• “F*** You!” – Brody Brown, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence & Bruno Mars
• “The House That Built Me” – Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin – Kevin, Tara
• “Love the Way You Lie” – Alexander Grant, Skylar Grey & Marshall Mathers
• “Need You Now” – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Kevin: I think the biggest hurdle for “The House That Built Me” was getting the nomination. It really stands out in this field. It used to be rare for the Song victor to not be nominated for Record, but it has happened three times in the last seven years, including last year.

Tara: I’d honestly be happy to see any of these songs win. I’ll back “The House That Built Me” and just take a guess that the voters will, too.

Best New Artist

Should Win

• Justin Bieber
• Drake
• Florence + the Machine
• Mumford & Sons - Dan, Kevin, Tara
• Esperanza Spalding

Will Win

• Justin Bieber
• Drake – Kevin, Dan, Tara
• Florence + the Machine
• Mumford & Sons
• Esperanza Spalding

Kevin: I dig Mumford & Sons the most, but Drake seems to be the guy to beat.

Dan: I think Mumford has the most potential going forward. They’re got a dark-horse shot at the win, too, though Drake does seem like the most logical choice. Bieber’s by far the biggest name right now, but NARAS didn’t give it to tween-fave forerunners Hanson or Jonas Brothers, so…

Tara: Ditto. Although I have an unexplainable inkling that the Bieber might nab the award.

Best Country Album

Should Win

• Dierks Bentley, Up on the Ridge – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give
• Jamey Johnson, The Guitar Song - Dan
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
• Miranda Lambert, Revolution

Will Win

• Dierks Bentley, Up on the Ridge
• Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give
• Jamey Johnson, The Guitar Song
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now – Dan
• Miranda Lambert, Revolution - Kevin, Tara, Leeann

Kevin: I think Bentley made the best record, and perhaps the slew of collaborators will help raise its profile with voters. Usually the country album nominated for overall Album wins this award, but I’m thinking that Lambert’s recent awards streak will continue here.

Dan: I pick Johnson by a nose, but genuinely like every album here besides Need You Now. Hoping Kevin’s right about that one.

Leeann: Like Kevin said, Bentley deserves to win and I hope he does, but I think Lambert’s album may win due to accessibility and her reputation for artistic integrity.

Tara: Up on the Ridge and Revolution both hit my sweet spot: they straddle the line between reverent and relevant and make me genuinely excited about country music’s future. Bentley’s album is the better of the two (and the best of the bunch) – but I think Lambert’s will pick up the most votes.

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

Should Win

• Jewel, “Satisfied”
• Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me” - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• LeAnn Rimes, “Swingin’”
• Carrie Underwood, “Temporary Home”
• Gretchen Wilson, “I’d Love to Be Your Last”

Will Win

• Jewel, “Satisfied”
• Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me” - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• LeAnn Rimes, “Swingin’”
• Carrie Underwood, “Temporary Home”
• Gretchen Wilson, “I’d Love to Be Your Last”

Kevin: This is Lambert’s best shot at a Grammy. Underwood will threaten, as always, but I think the strength of this song makes it tough to beat.

Leeann: Lambert’s signature song is the strongest and likely most long-lasting of the bunch.

Tara: Lambert and Underwood turn in two of the most emotive, powerful performances of their careers, but “The House That Built Me” is undeniably the better song. Since Underwood’s Grammy streak seems to be up for now, I think the voters will side with Lambert.

Best Male Country Vocal Performance

Should Win

• Jamey Johnson, “Macon”
• Toby Keith, “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)” - Kevin, Leeann
• David Nail, “Turning Home” - Dan
• Keith Urban, “‘Til Summer Comes Around”
• Chris Young, “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”  - Tara

Will Win

• Jamey Johnson, “Macon”
• Toby Keith, “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)”
• David Nail, “Turning Home”
• Keith Urban, “‘Til Summer Comes Around” - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• Chris Young, “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”

Kevin: I am not going to complain about Urban winning again for my favorite single from his last two albums. But Toby Keith is way overdue in this category, and he’s nominated for one of his best vocal performances to date.

Dan: Nail’s nuanced performance brought what could have been a very rote song to life. And his career could use the boost.

Leeann: I think the Grammy voters will reflexively give the award to Keith Urban, but Toby Keith’s song is the most poignant of the nominees.

Tara: Urban’s got his hold on this category, but I’m in Young’s corner. His slow-burning hit is as charming as it is sexy, which isn’t an easy thing to pull off. And that voice.

Best Duo/Group Country Vocal Performance

Should Win

• Zac Brown Band, “Free”
• Dailey & Vincent, “Elizabeth”
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”
• Little Big Town, “Little White Church”- Tara
• The SteelDrivers, “Where Rainbows Never Die” - Kevin, Leeann

Will Win

• Zac Brown Band, “Free”
• Dailey & Vincent, “Elizabeth”
• Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now” - Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• Little Big Town, “Little White Church”
• The SteelDrivers, “Where Rainbows Never Die”

Kevin: I think it’s a race between Lady Antbellum and Zac Brown Band, with LA in the lead. But the SteelDrivers get the annual “song I discovered because it was nominated for a Grammy and fell in love with after hearing it” award from me.

Leeann: The SteelDriver’s song is my favorite with Little Big Town at a close second, but I suspect that Lady A won’t be shut out for such a hugely popular radio hit across the board.

Tara: Dear NARAS: since “Single Ladies” got screwed over for ROTY last year, please show Little Big Town some love for their crazy awesome countrified version. It’s just as good…maybe even better?

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals

Should Win

• “Bad Angel” — Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson
• “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” — Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers
• “As She’s Walking Away” — Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “Hillbilly Bone” — Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
• “I Run To You” — Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Will Win

• “Bad Angel” — Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson
• “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” — Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers
• “As She’s Walking Away” — Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “Hillbilly Bone” — Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
• “I Run To You” — Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Kevin: Best collaboration in a very long time. Love hearing an artist from my youth playing elder statesman so well.

Leeann: It’s difficult for me to imagine that “As She’s Walking Away” won’t be rewarded for both its popularity and the significance of the still active veteran, Alan Jackson, dispensing wisdom to the up-and-coming bright stars of country music in the Zac Brown Band.

Tara: I love the groove of “Bad Angel,” but its collaboration isn’t nearly as dynamic nor as fitting as that of “As She’s Walking Way.” I can’t imagine any “wise man” but Jackson pulling up a stool next to Brown in this song.

Best Country Instrumental Performance

Should Win

• Cherryholmes, “Tattoo of a Smudge”
• The Infamous Stringdusters, “Magic #9″
• Punch Brothers, “New Chance Blues” – Kevin, Leeann
• Darrell Scott, ‘Willow Creek”
• Marty Stuart, “Hummingbyrd”

Will Win

• Cherryholmes, “Tattoo of a Smudge”
• The Infamous Stringdusters, “Magic #9″
• Punch Brothers, “New Chance Blues” - Kevin, Leeann
• Darrell Scott, ‘Willow Creek”
• Marty Stuart, “Hummingbyrd”

Kevin: Punch Brothers are approaching Nickel Creek levels of awesomeness. Possibly exceeding them.

Leeann: Kevin’s right. Even as someone who isn’t typically fond of instrumentals, I dig those of the Punch Brothers.

Best Country Song

Should Win

• “The Breath You Take” — Casey Beathard, Dean Dillon & Jessie Jo Dillon
• “Free” — Zac Brown
• “The House That Built Me” — Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin - Dan, Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “I’d Love To Be Your Last” — Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate & Sam Tate
• “If I Die Young” — Kimberly Perry
• “Need You Now” — Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Will Win

• “The Breath You Take” — written by Casey Beathard, Dean Dillon & Jessie Jo Dillon
• “Free” — written by Zac Brown
• “The House That Built Me” — written by Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin – Kevin, Tara, Leeann
• “I’d Love To Be Your Last” — written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate & Sam Tate
• “If I Die Young” — written by Kimberly Perry
• “Need You Now” — written by Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott

Kevin: My heart is owned by “If I Die Young”, but I think that “The House That Built Me” is objectively the best song.

Leeann: While The Band Perry’s song sounds the coolest, the writing for “The House That Built Me” is clear frontrunner for the best song of the year.  It deserves and likely will be recognized as such, especially since it was both very critically acclaimed and successful as a single.

Tara: No question “The House That Built Me” is the best written song of the group, and I think it’ll be recognized as such.

Best Bluegrass Album

Should Win

• Sam Bush, Circles Around Me
• Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul II
• The Del McCoury Band, Family Circle
• Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Legacy
• The SteelDrivers, Reckless – Kevin

Will Win

• Sam Bush, Circles Around Me
• Patty Loveless, Mountain Soul II
• The Del McCoury Band, Family Circle – Kevin
• Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Legacy
• The SteelDrivers, Reckless

Kevin: Kudos to Loveless for her nomination, but I like the SteelDrivers set more.

Best Americana Album

Should Win

• Rosanne Cash, The List
• Los Lobos, Tin Can Trust
• Willie Nelson, Country Music – Dan, Kevin
• Robert Plant, Band of Joy
• Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone

Will Win

• Rosanne Cash, The List
• Los Lobos, Tin Can Trust
• Willie Nelson, Country Music
• Robert Plant, Band of Joy
• Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone - Kevin

Kevin: So I think Staples is nominated for an awesome gospel album and Nelson for an awesome country album. This category is confusing.