49th Annual ACM Awards Complete Preview
THE 49TH ANNUAL ACM AWARDS
When: 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern on CBS. Time delayed for the West Coat.
Where: The MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Hosts: Blake Shelton & Luke Bryan
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
Very Few Female Solo Performances
With continued talk about the lack of support for female performers in country music, only one one female solo performer will have a dedicated solo performance on the night: Miranda Lambert. The recently-countrified Sheryl Crow will also perform, but it will be with Dierks Bentley. Shakira will perform, but she is not a country performer. The Band Perry and Lady Antebellum do have female members, and will be performing as well.
Justin Moore Ineligibility Issue for New Artist of the Year
Justin Moore is one of three artists up for New Artist of the Year, but is ineligible for the award for having two albums that have sold over 500,000 copies. Despite the ACM’s acknowledgement of the issue, and Justin Moore’s acknowledgement, nothing has been done to resolve it. Moore has to be considered a frontrunner for the award, and if he wins, it promises to stir the controversy anew.
Tribute to Merle Haggard
The ACM’s will throw a tribute for The Hag as part of the festivities, with performances by Miranda Lambert and George Strait. They will sing “Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down” and “I’m A Lonesome Fugitive.” Merle will also receive the Crystal Milestone Award, and it will be presented to him by Garth Brooks. It also happens to be Merle Haggard’s birthday.
George Strait & the Entertainer of the Year
There will be even greater intrigue about the Entertainer of the Year award than normal with the possibility that King George could walk away with the night’s top prize just like he did at the CMA Awards in November. There’s also intrigue of who may win because of the ACM’s fan voting process. The unspecified amount of clout fans have in the award has called into question the legitimacy of the fan vote, with some Taylor Swift fans wondering why she was briefly announced as the winner last year, and Kenny Chesney calling out the fan vote a few years back.
THE PRESENTERS
Artists confirmed to present awards include Garth Books, Trisha Yearwood, Florida Georgia Line, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, David Nail, Darius Rucker, Clay Walker, Jewel, and LL Cool J.
Non performing presenters include journalist and TV personality Thea Andrews, chef Guy Fieri, actress Olivia Munn, Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell, and actor Chris O’Donnell.
THE PERFORMERS
”The Band Perry will open the show with their song “Chainsaw.”
”Dierks Bentley and Sheryl Crow will perform Dierk’s song “I Hold On.”
”Lee Brice will perform his ACM-nominated song “I Drive Your Truck.”
”Brad Paisley will debut a new single “River Bank.”
”Rascal Flatts will play “Rewind.”
”Darius Rucker will play his Grammy-awarded version of “Wagon Wheel.”
”Blake Shelton and Shakira will perform their duet “Medicine.”
”Tim McGraw will sing “Meanwhile.”
”Lady Antebellum with Stevie Nicks will sing “Compass” and “Rhiannon.”
”Miranda Lambert will sing her single “Automatic” and participate in the Merle Haggard tribute.
”George Strait will also perform in the Merle Haggard tribute.
Luke Bryan & Florida Georgia Line will perform “This Is How We Roll” with help from Nitro Circus action sports stars.
”Other Performers
- Eric Church
- Brett Eldridge
- Toby Keith
- Hunter Hayes – Performing “Invisible”
- Jason Aldean
- Justin Moore
- Kip Moore
- Keith Urban
AWARD NOMINEES
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Bryan
- Blake Shelton
- George Strait
- Taylor Swift
- Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Lee Brice
- Luke Bryan
- Blake Shelton
- Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Sheryl Crow
- Miranda Lambert
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Single Record of the Year
- Florida Georgia Line
- Lee Brice “I Drive Your Truck”
- Miranda Lambert “Mama’s Broken Heart”
- Darius Rucker “Wagon Wheel”
Album of the Year
- Based On A True Story”¦” Blake Shelton
- “Crash My Party” Luke Bryan
- “Here’s To The Good Times” Florida Georgia Line
- “Same Trailer Different Park” Kacey Musgraves
- “Two Lanes Of Freedom” Tim McGraw
Song of the Year
- “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” Gary Allan Songwriters: Gary Allan, Hillary Lindsey, Matthew Warren
- “I Drive Your Truck” Lee Brice Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary
- “Mama’s Broken Heart” Miranda Lambert Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
- “Mine Would Be You” Blake Shelton Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Ruttan
- “Wagon Wheel” Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum Songwriters: Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor
Vocal Event of the Year
- Boys ‘Round Here” Blake Shelton Featuring The Pistol Annies
- “Cruise” (Remix) Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly
- “Highway Don’t Care: Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
- “Wagon Wheel” Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum
- “We Were Us” Keith Urban And Miranda Lambert
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Big & Rich
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Love and Theft
- Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- The Band Perry
- Zac Brown Band
Video of the Year
- “Better Dig Two” The Band Perry Producer
- “Blowin’ Smoke” Kacey Musgraves Producer
- “Highway Don’t Care” Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
- “I Drive Your Truck” Lee Brice Producer: Karen Martin Director: Eric Welch
- “Mama’s Broken Heart” Miranda Lambert
- “Two Black Cadillacs” Carrie Underwood
SAVING COUNTRY MUSIC’S WINNER PREDICTIONS
See Full List of Predictions for the 49th Annual ACM Awards
Entertainer of the Year
- George Strait – Winner
- Luke Bryan Other Potential Winner
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Luke Bryan Winner
- Blake Shelton Other Potential Winner
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert Winner
Single of the Year
- Florida Georgia Line “Cruise” Winner
Song of the Year
- “I Drive Your Truck” Lee Brice Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary Winner
- “Wagon Wheel” Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum Songwriters: Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor Other Potential Winner
Vocal Event of the Year
- “Highway Don’t Care: Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban Winner
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Florida Georgia Line Winner
SPECIAL AWARDS & AWARDS ALREADY GIVEN
”Shane McAnally has won Songwriter of the Year
”Carrie Underwood has received the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award for “unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement in country music.”
”Ronnie Milsap and Toby Keith were both give Career Achievement Awards for “Individual artist, duo, group or multiple artist collaboration that has advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music.”
”Rascall Flatts and Steve Buchanan of the Grand Ole Opry have received the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an artist for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
”Jack Clement (awarded posthumously), Dean Dillon, Kris Kristofferson, and Buck Owens were given the Poet’s Award given to songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers.
April 6, 2014 @ 9:27 am
The new Paisley song “River” is terrible. He has jumped on the FGL and Luke Bryan bandwagon with this one. It sounds like he is going in the EDM direction with this one.
April 6, 2014 @ 10:13 am
It’s overproduced to be sure, especially by the standards of country music, but then again, it was a direction Paisley was taking as early as the mid-2000s with songs like ‘Online’ so I’m not that fazed. If you want ‘EDM country’, I’d point at Jerrod Niemann over Brad Paisley any day.
And while I’ll definitely agree it’s one of the stupider songs he’s written, I’ll make the argument that’s it’s the kind of laid-back stupid music you really can’t get that angry at, and the lyrics do have a little of Paisley’s trademark corny sense of comedy. So while it might not be great, ‘River Bank’ isn’t terrible either, and I’d take it over watching Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan misunderstand country and hip-hop simultaneously any day of the week.
April 6, 2014 @ 1:21 pm
Jerrod Niemann is on Brad’s private label, and Brad has been promoting the release of the album, so I wouldn’t be surprised for Brad to at least experiment. Especially after whatever his last album was.
April 6, 2014 @ 3:19 pm
I have never been overly impressed with Brad Paisley.
April 6, 2014 @ 11:58 pm
Me neither. He;s a talented guy, but he puts out an awful lot of dumb novelty songs. I am not against funny songs or novelty songs when they’re done well, but a lot of his make me cringe.
April 6, 2014 @ 10:06 am
Sounds like a good night to get caught up on my recorded Marty Stuart shows on the DVR. Although I would like to see the Haggard tribute.
April 6, 2014 @ 1:58 pm
Can’t get enough of the Marty Stuart Show. It’s great! Dvr’d last nights. Won’t get to see it until tomorrow though.
April 6, 2014 @ 3:17 pm
Even my love for Merle isn’t strong enough for me to endure this train wreck and puke fest.,
April 6, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
tell em sister
April 6, 2014 @ 10:07 am
“Luke Bryan & Florida Georgia Line will perform …with help from Nitro Circus action sports stars.”
Ha ha ha. Give me a break.
April 6, 2014 @ 10:57 am
Interesting to note that, of the Song of the Year nominees, Gary Allan was the only one that had a hand in writing the song he sang. For that reason alone I hope he wins, but I don’t think it’s happening.
April 6, 2014 @ 11:06 am
I’m hoping either that or Mama’s Broken Heart wins. Brandy, Kacey and Shane deserve the love. Although not written by Gary Allan, his song It Ain’t The Whiskey is lightyears better than Every Storm.
April 6, 2014 @ 1:50 pm
Shane has already won for Songwriter of the Year. Seems well deserved, and a good decision based off of both artistic merit and commercial appeal.
April 6, 2014 @ 2:33 pm
Songs should be judged based on content, not who wrote them. As such, I strongly prefer “I Drive Your Truck” over “Every Storm”. Now if we were talking about “It Ain’t the Whiskey” instead of “Every Storm”, then it would be a much closer competition.
April 6, 2014 @ 3:03 pm
I guess I’m confused who gets the credit for the award. Since Trigger listed the song title and performer first, it seemed like the performer was given primary credit for the song, and the songwriters were secondary. I may be wrong in my interpretation.
April 6, 2014 @ 4:19 pm
“Song of the Year” is always awarded to the songwriters. Often, the performer goes to the stage to introduce the writers who then accept their trophies, as was the case in the CMA with Lee Brice and “I Drive Your Truck”.
April 6, 2014 @ 11:28 am
Looking forward to the Merle tribute. Hope attending doesn’t cause him to get worse again (pneumonia/laryngitis).
“This is How We Roll” is my new favorite song – to turn OFF when it comes on the radio! No desire to see it done live. 🙁
I expect I’ll watch with one eye as I’m doing something else and will probably *really* watch less than 10% of it.
April 6, 2014 @ 11:39 am
How does a recycled cover song “Wagon Wheel” get nominated for song of the year?
April 6, 2014 @ 11:56 am
$$$
Though it is fair to note original writers Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor will be given credit for the award if it wins. It’s their song and Hootie is just the performer.
April 6, 2014 @ 4:21 pm
I wonder if Bob Dylan will be attending the ACM tonight just in case “Wagon Wheel” wins Song of the Year…
April 6, 2014 @ 11:49 am
So, Trig, will you be blogging tonight?
April 6, 2014 @ 11:54 am
Yes! Live blog will be up and running tonight!
April 6, 2014 @ 1:27 pm
Great! That means I can watch it without the sound….except for the MH tribute.
April 6, 2014 @ 3:26 pm
Exactly what I plan to do. 😀 Oh, and if George Strait does his new single (“I Got a Car”), I’ll turn that up too.
April 6, 2014 @ 12:42 pm
Well, gee, I’d watch but I’ve got important stuff to tend to like laundry and such.
April 6, 2014 @ 12:58 pm
I’ll catch the Merle tribute tomorrow via YouTube. And hopefully George Strait’s acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year. I saw him front row last month and he made me feel like a giddy school girl.
I’ll be watching the Shameless season finale which probably features no country music but will still somehow have more country music than the ACMs.
April 6, 2014 @ 1:29 pm
Thank goodness there are new Game of Thrones and Cosmos on tonight.
Also I thought the “Help from Nitro Circus Sports Stars” was a joke, alas, it is not. Words fail.
April 6, 2014 @ 1:47 pm
How the hell is cruise still being nominated!
April 6, 2014 @ 1:51 pm
Because hell has no end.
April 6, 2014 @ 1:57 pm
Well since Trigg is blogging I’ll still come here and chuckle at his funny comments. I’d rather pair my socks than watch these clowns. Other than Merle
April 6, 2014 @ 2:00 pm
I’ll be watching ABC shows. Once Upon A Time followed by Resurrection. I haven’t watched the Accumulated Crappy Music awards in years. and won’t be tonight.
April 6, 2014 @ 2:28 pm
Trigger,
Strait is also doing “I Got A Car.” He said so at his show last night. He’s also making an announcement about the ACMs moving to Dallas.
April 6, 2014 @ 2:53 pm
The only thing I care about seeing is the Haggard tribute and George Strait winning entertainer of the year. But if indeed the award is fan voted I would be stunned if George does win it, probably go to Luke Bryan, young girls just love guy’s with no talent.
April 6, 2014 @ 3:33 pm
Merle is my Favorite ever, yet there’s not a chance I will watch this train wreck.
April 7, 2014 @ 5:25 pm
Country music is dead my friends. Watching the acm just proved it. Sad day.
April 8, 2014 @ 8:25 am
No. Country Music is not dead.
Why do you think everyone out there is riding “our wave”?
Sheryl Crow and many others are riding our wave because “there’s soooo much money to be made”. I heard Sheryl say it. Country is her new cash cow.
Look at all of the recent cross-overs in the last few months.
Country Music is the only genre that has anything going for it. If it were not true, why are so many other artists bailing out of their genres and coming on over?
Nah. Country Music is here to stay.
The newcomers are skating along the bottom with $$ signs in their eyes. But money by ill gotten gain is not permanent.
“One instance does not make a trend”. I beg to differ.
One voice with a mission has made a trend…that would be Trigger.
If we’re not part of the solution, then we’re part of the problem. His mission has made a difference.
The comments here are followed and cited. They’re followed by the newcomers riding the Country wave___ and by authentic Country artists.
Country Music is not dead.