Willie Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Zach Bryan, Ashley McBryde Get Grammy Nods

The 2023 Grammy Award nominees were announced on Tuesday (11-15), with some big surprises, some worthy nominees, and a some disappointment in some categories as it seems the Recording Academy continues to be obsessed with nominating familiar names as opposed to doing a true search for the most talented and deserving in a given field, especially when it comes to the American Roots categories.
Nonetheless, the Grammy Awards are the only place you’ll see nominations for people like Zach Bryan, Willie Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Allison Russell, and Brandi Carlile. Zach Bryan picked up a nomination in the Best Country Solo Performance category for “Something in the Orange,” but missed nominations in Best Country Album and Best New Artist that some believed he was competing for.
However, country/roots fans picked up a Best New Artist nomination in the form of Molly Tuttle. A big surprise, this is a big career moment for Molly, who was also nominated for Best Bluegrass Album. Perhaps she’ll receive a performance slot on the awards as well.
Two of the biggest nominees in all of the Grammy Awards were Willie Nelson and Brandi Carlile. Willie Nelson received three nominations in country, as well as another in Best Roots Gospel Album. Meanwhile, Brandi Carlile cleaned up across the board. She picked up three nominations in the American Roots Categories, two nominations in Rock categories, and two all-genre nominations, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Miranda Lambert also received multiple nominations.
Charley Crockett felt like a big snub here with the push he’s been receiving this year, and the way he fits the Grammy profile. The good thing about Charley though, you know he will be releasing plenty of songs and albums in the coming year to compete once again.
See the full nominations relevant to the country and roots/Americana world below.
Best Country Solo Performance
Fairly strong field. Zach Bryan’s nomination here validates him as a top tier artist in country. “Live Forever” was written by Billy Joe Shaver, and even though this is not a songwriter award specifically, it’s cool to see him get recognized with Willie Nelson.
“Heartfirst,” Kelsea Ballerini
“Something in the Orange,” Zach Bryan
“In His Arms,” Miranda Lambert
“Circles Around This Town,” Maren Morris
“Live Forever,” Willie Nelson
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Super weak field. “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” should win this running away.
“Wishful Drinking,” Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt
“Midnight Rider’s Prayer,” Brothers Osborne
“Outrunnin’ Your Memory,” Luke Combs and Miranda Lambert
“Does He Love You — Revisited,” Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“Going Where the Lonely Go,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Best Country Song
Do we really consider these the strongest songs in country music over the last year? “I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die” could be, and “Til You Can’t.” Willie Nelson could have a big Grammy night.
“Circles Around This Town,” Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels, Maren Morris and Jimmy Robbins, songwriters (Maren Morris)
“Doin’ This,” Luke Combs, Drew Parker and Robert Williford, songwriters (Luke Combs)
“I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” Lori McKenna and Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
“If I Was a Cowboy,” Jesse Frasure and Miranda Lambert, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
“I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die,” Rodney Crowell and Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Willie Nelson)
“‘Til You Can’t” Matt Rogers & Ben Stennis, songwriters (Cody Johnson)
Best Country Album
Really glad to see both Ashley McBryde and Willie Nelson not get overlooked. Pretty strong field here. Hopefully Maren Morris doesn’t win here just for a sympathy vote, or Luke Combs just as the commercial powerhouse.
“Growin’ Up,” Luke Combs
“Palomino,” Miranda Lambert
“Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville,” Ashley McBryde
“Humble Quest,” Maren Morris
“A Beautiful Time,” Willie Nelson
Best American Roots Performance
This really feels like we’re nominating names, not performances. All great artists, but none of these except for maybe “Prodigal Daughter” resonated on a bigger scale. It is cool to see Bill Anderson pick up a late-career Grammy nomination.
“Someday It’ll All Make Sense (Bluegrass Version),” Bill Anderson featuring Dolly Parton
“Life According to Raechel,” Madison Cunningham
“Oh Betty,” Fantastic Negrito
“Stompin’ Ground,” Aaron Neville with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band
“Prodigal Daughter,” Aoife O’Donovan and Allison Russell
Best Americana Performance
Brandi Carlilie’s “You and Me on the Rock” was nominated everywhere. Cool to see Lyle Lovett and Asleep at the Wheel pick up nominations, but Lyle deserved one for his song “12th of June,” and over a lot of the other Americana nominees.
“Silver Moon (A Tribute to Michael Nesmith),” Eric Alexandrakis
“There You Go Again,” Asleep at the Wheel featuring Lyle Lovett
“The Message,” Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Black Violin
“You and Me on the Rock,” Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius
“Made Up Mind,” Bonnie Raitt
Best American Roots Song
So many amazing songwriters are emerging in Americana at the moment. Charles Wesley Godwin anyone? And we’re still obsessed with the old guard of Robert Plant, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, etc. in these American Roots categories, while Brandi Carlile can fall out of bed and pick up a handful of nominations.
“Bright Star,” Anaïs Mitchell, songwriter (Anaïs Mitchell)
“Forever,” Sheryl Crow and Jeff Trott, songwriters (Sheryl Crow)
“High and Lonesome,” T Bone Burnett and Robert Plant, songwriters (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss)
“Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt)
“Prodigal Daughter,” Tim O’Brien and Aoife O’Donovan, songwriters (Aoife O’Donovan and Allison Russell)
“You and Me on the Rock,” Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius)
Best Americana Album
Brandi Carlile should and will win this. Hey Grammy Awards, there are Americana artists under 70. Check them out.
“In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile
“Things Happen That Way,” Dr. John
“Good to Be … ,” Keb’ Mo’
“Raise the Roof,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
“Just Like That…,” Bonnie Raitt
Best Bluegrass Album
Strong field. Cool to see Peter Rowan get a nomination. Molly Tuttle will win this running away, especially with her Best New Artist nomination.
“Toward the Fray,” The Infamous Stringdusters
“Almost Proud,” The Del McCoury Band
“Calling You From My Mountain,” Peter Rowan
“Crooked Tree,” Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway
“Get Yourself Outside,” Yonder Mountain String Band
Best Folk Album
Arlo McKinley, Ian Noe, Willi Carlisle and others should have competed in this category.
“Spellbound,” Judy Collins
“Revealer,” Madison Cunningham
“The Light at the End of the Line,” Janis Ian
“Age of Apathy,” Aoife O’Donovan
“Hell on Church Street,” Punch Brothers
Best Traditional Blues Album
“Heavy Load Blues,” Gov’t Mule
“The Blues Don’t Lie,” Buddy Guy
“Get On Board,” Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder
“The Sun Is Shining Down,” John Mayall
“Mississippi Son,” Charlie Musselwhite
Best Contemporary Blues Album
“Done Come Too Far,” Shemekia Copeland
“Crown,” Eric Gales
“Bloodline Maintenance,” Ben Harper
“Set Sail,” North Mississippi Allstars
“Brother Johnny,” Edgar Winter
Best New Artist
Yay Molly Tuttle! a career-making moment, even if she doesn’t win, and she probably won’t in a field of pop names. Zach Bryan most definitely deserved consideration here.
Anitta
Omar Apollo
Domi & JD Beck
Muni Long
Samara Joy
Latto
Maneskin
Tobe Nwigwe
Molly Tuttle
Wet Leg
Album of the Year
“Voyage,” Abba
“30,” Adele
“Un Verano Sin Ti,” Bad Bunny
“Renaissance,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe),” Mary J. Blige
“In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile
“Music of the Spheres,” Coldplay
“Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,” Kendrick Lamar
“Special,” Lizzo
“Harry’s House” – Harry Styles
Record of the Year
It’s almost embarrassing at this point how many nominations Brandi Carlile receives. They could make their obsession a bit more subtle. That said, she is a great artist. Her song just feels like an outlier here.
“Don’t Shut Me Down,” Abba
“Easy on Me,” Adele
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“You and Me on the Rock,” Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius
“Woman,” Doja Cat
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“As It Was,” Harry Styles
Best Rock Performance
Yep. Even in rock, Brandi Carlile rules.
“So Happy It Hurts,” Bryan Adams
“Old Man,” Beck
“Wild Child,” The Black Keys
“Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile
“Crawl!,” Idles
“Patient Number 9,” Ozzy Osbourne featuring Jeff Beck
Best Rock Song
–“Black Summer,” Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith, songwriters (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
–“Blackout,” Brady Ebert, Daniel Fang, Franz Lyons, Pat McCrory and Brendan Yates, songwriters (Turnstile)
–“Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
–“Harmonia’s Dream,” Robbie Bennett and Adam Granduciel, songwriters (The War on Drugs)
–“Patient Number 9,” John Osbourne, Chad Smith, Ali Tamposi, Robert Trujillo and Andrew Wotman, songwriters (Ozzy Osbourne featuring Jeff Beck)
Best Roots Gospel Album
Go Willie!
“Let’s Just Praise the Lord,” Gaither Vocal Band
“Confessio — Irish American Roots,” Keith and Kristyn Getty
“The Willie Nelson Family,” Willie Nelson
“2:22,” Karen Peck and New River
“The Urban Hymnal,” Tennessee State University Marching Band
Song of the Year
–“Abcdefu,” Sara Davis, Gayle and Dave Pittenger, songwriters (Gayle)
–“About Damn Time,” Melissa “Lizzo” Jefferson, Eric Frederic, Blake Slatkin and Theron Makiel Thomas, songwriters (Lizzo)
–“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (The Short Film),” Liz Rose and Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
–“As It Was,” Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon and Harry Styles, songwriters (Harry Styles)
–“Bad Habit,” Matthew Castellanos, Brittany Fousheé, Diana Gordon, John Carroll Kirby & Steve Lacy, songwriters (Steve Lacy)
–“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé, S. Carter, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant and Christopher A. Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
–“Easy on Me,” Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin, songwriters (Adele)
–“God Did,” Tarik Azzouz, E. Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts and Nicholas Warwar, songwriters (DJ Khaled Featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy)
–“The Heart Part 5,” Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar and Matt Schaeffer, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
–“Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt)
Wilco’s “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” 20th Anniversary Edition also was nominated in Best Album Notes, and Best Historical Album.
November 15, 2022 @ 12:26 pm
That is an absurd amount of Brandi Carlile nominations. Also shocking Zach Bryan only got the one nomination.
November 15, 2022 @ 12:47 pm
I like Brandi Carlile. I think she is a good artist. I nominated her last album “In These Silent Days” for the SCM Album of the Year last year. But even before this year, the Grammys were catching hell for seeming to nominate Brandi Carlile and anyone loosely affiliated with her or produced by her for a Grammy. Then she cleans up this year in three categories. It’s almost embarrassing for her, and an indictment of the process. Of course she’s going to compete big in American Roots categories and I’m glad she got some all genre consideration. But the rock nominations feel like a bridge too far. I love the song “Wild Horses,” but let rock artists compete in the rock categories. We complain when rock/pop/hip-hop artists swerve into country. Let’s be good neighbors.
November 16, 2022 @ 8:20 am
Lots of people say (joke?) that Carlile is gaming the system or the result of deliberate manipulation, but in reality she just benefits from the fact that the ballots are listed alphabetically (by artist name in most categories, by song title in “songwriting categories”). The higher you are on the ballot, the greater advantage you have. That’s why Carlile and Coldplay are consistently scoring major general field nominations, as well as people like Batiste, Collier, ABBA, Blige… It’s been like this for a while (throwback to the Bareilles “surprise” AOTY nomination, for example), but it’s become especially transparent since they expanded the lineups and did away with the blue ribbon committees; this is the second year in a row that the majority of Album, Song, and Record nominees come from like… the first 5 letters of the alphabet.
Carlile made Album and Record, where she’s listed under “C,” but missed Song, where her submission was listed under “Y.” She’s popular enough that enough people check her off when they see her at the top, but not popular enough for enough people to go searching through thousands of submissions for her. She wouldn’t get any of these nominations if her name was “Smith.”
Acts like Adele, Beyoncé, Bieber, and Eilish will rarely miss a nomination, while “late-alphabet” stars like Styles, Swift, Sheeran, Timberlake, and West have all had notable “snubs” for projects that weren’t successful enough to overcome their disadvantage of being at the bottom of a 1000+ item ballot. And they’re A list superstars; “minor” or “niche” acts at the bottom of the ballot will never stand a chance. (Bryan, Zach’s alphabetical advantage is also why he was seen as a strong contender—and a weird snub—for a Best New Artist nomination; he truly must not have much support at this point).
It’s really surprising to me that this goes completely uncommented on, because it’s been such a transparent issue for a while. They need to randomize the ballots or amend the voting process so that the longlists of thousands of submissions are whittled down to shortlists before the membership votes on the nominees. I doubt anything will happen any time soon; there seems to be little awareness of the problem, let alone any push for correction.
BTW: you’re missing 3 AOTY nominees from your list. Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar, and Harry Styles (the only act in the latter half of the alphabet popular enough to get nominated this year).
November 16, 2022 @ 8:53 am
I’m not sure about this theory. You may be right. I would want to do some much deeper research before I made such a claim, and see all the ballots myself. I could see this being more possible in the roots categories where there isn’t as much name recognition, and the ballot for Americana is so massive. People just go hunt for names they know, and it’s impossible for everyone to have heard all the entries, especially musicians and producers, who vote on these awards. The people who’ve actually heard most of the material would be media members and reviewers, or superfans. But especially for the all genre categories, I’d have to think there is a bit more purpose behind voters than just scanning in alphabetical order, and filling out a ballot quickly. Not to say that couldn’t happen in some instances.
November 15, 2022 @ 12:29 pm
Did you forget a song for Best Country Song?
‘Til You Can’t
Matt Rogers & Ben Stennis, songwriters (Cody Johnson)
November 15, 2022 @ 12:49 pm
Got left off the tail end. It’s been added.
November 15, 2022 @ 4:41 pm
Molly Tuttle and the Golden Highway have been tearing it up all across the country this year. Their energy and musicianship is untouchable – without special effects! So glad Molly is on best new artist. Here’s the secret though, she should be on the best artist list. Go Molly!
November 15, 2022 @ 12:33 pm
the only things I bought were Willie Nelson & Dr John
November 15, 2022 @ 12:33 pm
As someone who grew up super Baptist, it’s hard not pull for the Gaither Vocal Band in the gospel album category, but it’d be super cool to see Willie come home with it!
November 15, 2022 @ 1:17 pm
On his own dime, Bill Gaither showed up one year at the Chicago Gospel festival [fest is black gospel focused, not CCM] as a surprise guest, and sang a tune or two. It was a great moment.
November 15, 2022 @ 12:34 pm
I imagine that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss will win something since their last collab did really well. I saw them live a few months back and it was absolutely killer.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:08 pm
I want them to win and pray they win something but I will surprised if they don’t as this album has been relatively quiet compared to their last and clearly Bonnie and Brandi are really the frontrunners in Americana at the moment.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:05 pm
Trig, Miranda is the most nominated country singer with 4 (she’s nominated in all the categories) while Willie only has 2 country noms (country song goes to the songwriters).
That being said, Brandi’s noms are beginning to be annoying. Is she good? yes! But there is such a thing as overkill and she’s right at the edge
November 15, 2022 @ 1:12 pm
So is Miranda Gabe. It’s overkill as well. This album was no where that good as others. Nor was Marens. Even when she wins there is no boost in her sales. This is let’s nominate the same people again. Seriously so many new and wonderful artists and it’s Sony business as usual. I would not be slamming Brandi.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:28 pm
Didn’t mean to diminish Miranda Lambert. Obviously this is a big haul for her too. I just tend to focus more on the independent/underdog/legend artists that so often get overlooked in media. It’s good that the Grammys recognize them, and I like to recognize the Grammys through them.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:07 pm
Trig. I’m bit confused. When Palomino, Humble Quest, Growin Up we’re nominated for CMAs you wrote the category was weak. So how is this how a strong category? 3 of the five are on same label. 2 are WME artists. I understand the committee at large thinks Lambert can do no wrong (or Maren I guess) but her album has not been a commercial success (I’m beginning to realize that doesn’t matter). She recycled songs from a recent album to put on this one. And one of those gets a nom for Country Solo Performance. I haven’t seen any recent performance of it. She did the last cycle when Marfa Tapes was nominated. So it’s confusing. I really thought Zach would have been nominated for album/best new artist. But HDD just wrote about their surprise and referenced it’s because he’s non Nashville. Where’s Lainey for that matter. With all the great music released this year this is what they pick. 3 with big label/agency behind them. If the albums were great I’d have no problem. But those 3 were meh at best. I was hoping to see some new blood. Although I’m thrilled that Ashley was nominated. ButI remember her having the best country album (as did Brandy Clark) a few years back and losing to Lambert for a truly weak album. It’s just frustrating as a fan. I’m sure this is going to Combs. I just don’t understand how so many great artists get skipped over for the same ole same ole.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:14 pm
“I’m sure this is going to Combs. I just don’t understand how so many great artists get skipped over for the same ole same ole.”
Politics. Plain & simple.
Would love to see Ashley McBryde properly recognized
November 15, 2022 @ 1:37 pm
I’m not 100% understanding your first couple of sentences. But I will say that “Marfa Tapes” wasn’t just “Palomino” acoustic. Both had a few of the same songs, but they felt like two separate projects to me. Generally speaking, I don’t have any issues with Miranda Lambert’s nominations. Commercial impact is less of a factor for the Grammys. “Lindeville” sold TERRIBLE, but still deserves a nomination, if not because it sold awful.
Look, awards love Miranda. They always have. She’s an artist that sits within the nexus of commercial applicability and critical appeal, and those artists usually do well come awards time.
As for Lainey, her latest album was released too late to be eligible here. My guess is especially after her big CMAs, she will impact the Grammys next year.
November 15, 2022 @ 9:50 pm
I like Lindeville. It’s a great listen, but I really don’t get it. Ashley had an album of material ready to go. She said so in concert. They push that back to release Lindeville, whose first single has too much profanity for radio – although I love the song. Pillbox
Patti releases an album without Girl in the Picture – her best song. The album was never going to sell without help from radio. It just seems a waste of money when it would have been so much easier to release Ashley’s full length album with Lindeville and Bonfire as tracks.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:17 pm
Is ‘Hell on Church Street’ not a bluegrass album?
November 15, 2022 @ 1:40 pm
Man, The Punch Brothers are indefinable. They definitely come from the bluegrass world, but their stuff is so esoteric, it may break the bounds of traditional bluegrass structure too hard, and end up in folk because it’s acoustic instrumentation. They’re a hard one to categorize anywhere.
November 15, 2022 @ 2:06 pm
Right but this an interpretation of a Tony Rice album.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:49 pm
Punch Bros really don’t fit in any genre. They are all great bluegrass musicians and have all played bluegrass but the Punch Bros albums aren’t. Their fans call it “chambergrass.” It’s like adult contemporary but played by virtuosos. Whether we wanna call it bluegrass or not it’s definitely not folk music.
November 15, 2022 @ 2:05 pm
I agree with your characterization of the Punch Brothers, but they are arguably a bluegrass band covering an album by the greatest bluegrass guitarist (and player, period) of all time… Just seems odd to me that it wouldn’t end up characterized as such.
November 15, 2022 @ 2:31 pm
I agree that it’s odd that the Grammys of all people decided that it wasn’t a bluegrass album and even more perplexed by it being put in the folk category
November 15, 2022 @ 1:30 pm
I’m very excited for Willie. A Beautiful Time was a great album (maybe my AOY) and I’m glad to see it get some recognition.
I’m very happy for Molly Tuttle! Maybe these nominations and a performing spot could give her a second wave of recognition.
November 15, 2022 @ 6:46 pm
Agreed! There were a number of songs on A Beautiful Time that we would all remember as all-time classics if they had come out in 1975. And Molly Tuttle is killing it out there.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:32 pm
Once again, Zach isn’t country. I thought his music fit a few other categories, though. Maren? who bought her album? Brandy is overrated. Carry On.
November 16, 2022 @ 9:16 am
What is this “buy” you refer to? But I have said ‘Alexa, play Maren Morris album Humble Quest” numerous times…
P s. I take that back. My 82 year old mother in law still listens to CDs in her car. She likes Miranda so I bought her Palomino.
November 16, 2022 @ 1:55 pm
I’m a 49-year-old member of what has been dubbed “Generation X.” While I began listening to. and buying, music on records as a child in the ’70s and through the late ’80s, and I actually amassed quite a record collection, when CDs came in, I got on board and still buy ’em– quite a few, every month! 🙂
I listen to CDs on my home stereo, with nice speakers, and wouldn’t want it any other way. Of course, I know very well that this makes me a 49-year-old dinosaur in today’s Spotify world, but I couldn’t care less. Whenever I buy an album, as I often do, I like to have the full physical product– the record or CD, the album cover art, lyrics, credits (who wrote and played what), liner notes, etc. All of those things have always been an integral part of the music-listening experience for me, from the ’70s up to today. Just my take! 🙂
November 15, 2022 @ 1:36 pm
I’m very glad to see some of the names and nominations here, but there are so many great, very deserving, country artists, songs, and albums that are *not* on these lists that, for once, I’m not even going to get into them and how I feel about those snubs.
On the contemporary blues nominations (I’m a big fan of classic, historic, blues, and good contemporary blues artists), Shemekia Copeland is definitely a great singer and songwriter with many years in the genre, and she deserves the nomination, but I can’t help but wish that her fellow labelmate on Alligator Records, the great 23-year-old guitarist and vocalist, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, had gotten a Grammy nod for his latest album. Artists such as Christone are bringing older fans back to their enthusiasm for passionate, house-rockin’ blues, and, crucially, they’re bringing in new fans as well. Christone deserves *much* more recognition.
November 15, 2022 @ 6:41 pm
Kingfish is one of the most encouraging new artists to hit blues in years. He’s one of the first guys in awhile that can play that heavy electric guitar-laden style drawn from the West Side style and the British boom and also be a true blues singer. There are some exceptions like Gary Clark Jr. or Tab Benoit but it seems like electric blues has splintered into shredders who aren’t very good singers (the Joe Bonamassa’s of the world) and then soul-influenced singers who aren’t virtuoso players (Sugar Ray Rayford, etc.) but Christone brings it all together beautifully. I do think he has room to grow as a recording artist, though. I love watching live stuff on YouTube but the albums haven’t really blown me away just yet. I believe in him though.
November 16, 2022 @ 7:22 am
I’m consistently disappointed with the Blues category. Last year Eddie 9V had what I consider the best album of the year, no mention. Selwyn Birchwood was up there too. Those two and Kingfish could really trigger a resurgence if there was the corporate will. At least Kingfish seems to have the backing of Buddy Guy. Hopefully that helps.
November 16, 2022 @ 8:36 am
I just double checked. The Kingfish album 662 came out in July 2021 and won the grammy for “Best Contemporary Blues Album” in 2022.
November 16, 2022 @ 1:37 pm
Thanks for doing that research, Tom! I’m very glad to hear that Kingfish did win for “662” after all! Honestly, and very clearly, here, I don’t always keep up very well with every year’s Grammy nominations, and in this particular case, I had no idea that Kingfish had been nominated, and had won, for this (almost-past) year! 🙂 That is encouraging to hear for this blues fan. Thanks so much for the information!
November 15, 2022 @ 1:37 pm
I never have any idea why “American Roots Performance” and Song are categories. Why throw a gospel song, a folk song, a rock song, a blues song, a retro country song and a retro soul song up against each other for an award when there are separate categories for all those things? It’s weird.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:45 pm
“Americana” is a specific genre according to the Grammy Awards, and has its own song categories.
“American Roots Performance” specifically spans songs specifically from the bluegrass, folk, blues, and I believe regional roots. My understanding is none of those categories can field enough song entries themselves. So all those “roots” genres are encapsulated in one song category. Americana also used to be part of this, but it has splintered off since the issue with Americana is there are too many song entries.
I agree, it’s complicated, and defining “Americana” is even more complicated.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:42 pm
I’ve listened to 4 of the 5 album of the years minus Willie’s album I definitely need to. However of the four I’ve heard, none come close to what Ashley McBryde and her friends put out. It was an original concept, honoring a prolific country songwriter, and put out by a major Nashville label. I hope the Grammy awards it. However I could live with any of these albums winning besides the Maren album. I just don’t get the love fest.
November 15, 2022 @ 2:08 pm
Re: Maren Morris. “Circles Around This Town” fell within my tolerance range (admittedly broader than Trigger’s or most likely yours) for mainstream country radio. It wasn’t a snap track or a list song or a yee-haw-ain’t-I-country song and it told a decent struggling-singer/songwriter story. That said, her current single, “I Can’t Love You Anymore” is IMO a better song but radio is not biting, probably because of the feud with the Aldeans, which has probably killed her with Heartland/Dixie listeners who somehow weren’t aware she was on the “woke” side. Like you, I haven’t listened to the Willie Nelson album yet, but I’d vote for “Humble Quest” over the hugely disappointing and ordinary “Growin’ Up” — but not for the win (Miranda or Ashley), though.
November 15, 2022 @ 1:51 pm
We al know the purpose behind the Grammy selections. Not rocket science.
November 15, 2022 @ 2:47 pm
The nominations always read like the majority of voters had no freaking idea who they were voting for. Oh, I don’t know anything about this genre but I have heard of Robert Plant! And yes I realize that the reason that these categories are the way they are is because, yes, the majority of the voters know nothing about the genre.
Happy for Molly. Zach deserved to get nominated for something. Can’t get upset about Willy being nominated, but see above.
Brandi Carlile? To me, she is like getting excited about the color beige. I mean, I don’t have anything against beige. It is fine. But it’s beige. It’s that one CD a year someone buys at Starbucks cause it’s on the counter and hey, it’s beige (I haven’t been in a Starbucks in 10 years — do they still have CDs?). I just can’t fathom being excited about beige though. Obviously a lot of people freaking LOVE beige.
November 16, 2022 @ 12:22 am
Go watch her SNL performance of “Broken Horses” on You Tube.
November 16, 2022 @ 2:22 am
Brandi’s album By the Way, I Forgive You is anything but beige. And her song Mainstream Kid (especially the music video) gets you off the floor wanting to root for the little guy.
As for her latest album, yeah I didn’t love it as much, but the lyrics are still meaningful and Brandi’s vocals is still top-notch. Her music wouldn’t gel with the monotony of adult contemporary stations anyway.
November 15, 2022 @ 3:04 pm
I’ll Love You Til The Day I Die has become my 2nd all time favorite song, right up there with San Francisco Mabel Joy… but, The Oak Ridge Boys, Time Has Made A Change In Me, should get some love… awards shows suck. They’re all about the production of look how well we treat these people we tell you to like. Where is Cody Jinks nomination? Oh… never mind… lame stream empty suits can’t handle his success they had no part in.
November 15, 2022 @ 3:23 pm
Brandi is now like Jason Isbell, anything he releases that is eligible will receive some form of a nomination. Brandi could record herself taking a piss and they automatically give her a nomination. She’s good at what she does, but these nominations always get wasted on established stars that fit a particular narrative. So many great worthy artist for that particular year are blocked a potentially great opportunity for these nominations, that get hoarded by established artist releasing average work.
Dave grohl is another one, anything he touches automatically gets a nomination. Beyonce is another one too.
These awards are just a joke anyway there’s no importance to them.
November 15, 2022 @ 9:16 pm
Brandi isn’t nearly as insufferable as Isbell has become.
November 15, 2022 @ 3:34 pm
89 year old John Mayall getting a Grammy nomination! For some reason he is always overlooked for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so hopefully this will get the ball rolling. That really makes my day.
November 15, 2022 @ 3:48 pm
I never commented on “Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville” in the review thread but I hope it wins a Grammy and will probably get my vote for SCM non mainstream AOTY. It really is an amazing album and is the very definition of the word “art”. I’d kind of gotten soured on the Jay Joyce produced Ashley. John Osborne did a great job and this is a masterpiece. Someone on here said they wanted to hear the full production of transistor radio songs ie: Dandelion Diner and Ronnies Pawn Shop. I second that.
I’m also on team Carly & Ashley for Never Wanted to Be That Girl for the win. I will say I really like the Luke Combs and Miranda Lambert tune Outrunnin’ Your Memory but even I know it shouldn’t get a Grammy nod over Lainey & HARDY.
November 16, 2022 @ 2:33 am
LOVE Lindeville — it’s the frontrunner for my personal AOTY, all-genre. I kinda wish it was more fleshed out though. Lindeville details the story of its residents just fine, but the record could do with 2 or 3 more stories. And maybe a deluxe edition would include full versions of those interludes, though how much can one stretch a 30-second ad jingle before it gets annoying? (They could be retooled into novelty songs like Styrofoam)
All being said, Ashley should totally win for Lindeville. Not the best of chances with low sales and Miranda among the nominees, so here’s hoping for a dark hose victory.
November 15, 2022 @ 4:27 pm
Well I haven’t listened to all these record and songs but I am a little disappointed that ships in the harbor by Tommy prine didn’t get no love. It’s my favorite song released this year, maybe going back a few years even. The subject matter in that songs gets me down deep and to me the best songs do that.
November 15, 2022 @ 10:13 pm
In a just world, it would have received a nomination. But as we can see from these nominations, name recognition means everything. Yes, Tommy Prine has a famous last name, but voters don’t know him from Adam yet. Hopefully that will change in the coming years.
November 16, 2022 @ 6:54 am
Yea I know how it works and I can see that for awards based on overall performance but on awards based on just a song, the song should get credence not the person singing it. Just my opinion
November 15, 2022 @ 4:37 pm
Thinking of good music, there’s a new single out called Marlboro man by matt roy. For someone not very known, it’s a really good song.
November 15, 2022 @ 5:43 pm
Hank Williams Jr. made great Blues Album, wonder why he’s not nominated for best Blues album. Another snub for Bocephus. His Blues album debut at # 1 on the country, blues and rock charts. Name me another artist that can do that. It’s disgusting Hank Jr. not nominated for anything
November 16, 2022 @ 7:08 am
Richard Fox,
Hank Jr. doesn’t fit the “mold” of the person that the Grumpies like to nominate. He does not have, shall we say, the correct message.
November 17, 2022 @ 2:28 pm
Whether he has the correct message or not, the fact is he made a great blues album further showcasing his versatility as an artist and he should be recognized for it. The grammys and CMAs and other award shows are all politics and cater to the phony pop music establishment. Great artists like Hank Jr. are always snubbed.
November 15, 2022 @ 6:06 pm
Arlo, Charles Wesley & Ian missing from the night is a joke and then some!!! I guess me praising Arlo any chance I get is no shock.
November 15, 2022 @ 8:36 pm
Luke Combs’ Growing Up album was nominated over Jon Pardi’s Mr Saturday Night…?
The Grammys are only going to nominate 1 white male artist per category. So why Combs over Pardi’s album?
November 15, 2022 @ 9:52 pm
Exactly how big of a check did Sony write to get 3 music artists on their label Grammy nominations for best country album? Nobody cares about awards anymore because it’s political and rigged. Bruno Mars didn’t even want any nominations this year . There’s no way overrated Miranda deserves her nominations but my guess is she doesn’t win any . Zero. My prediction is Willie Nelson wins best country album and every other category he’s nominated in whether he really deserves it or not. Big night for Willie. Hopefully Carly and Ashley at least win for never wanted to be that girl.
November 16, 2022 @ 6:46 pm
Go back to Anaheim. I know your agenda ????
November 16, 2022 @ 6:33 am
as a fellow italian is crazy to see Maneskin in the same award as Molly Tuttle or Carlile!
November 16, 2022 @ 7:10 am
My fourteen year old told me about their back story. I have to say that for this youngish boomer whose first musical love was rock, that song Beggin’ is a lot of fun.
November 16, 2022 @ 10:34 am
not even close to the Four Seasons original tune, by the way i’m happy for their international success but heavily dislike their style
November 17, 2022 @ 6:08 am
Well, then. I had no earthly idea that the song was originally recorded by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. It came out a few years before I was a regular NYC radio listener and looks like it only made it to #16 on the US charts. Their bigger hits from the ’60s did make their way into my brain, probably through “oldies” radio.
November 16, 2022 @ 7:37 am
How the heck did the awful “Wishful Drinking” get a nom? Ugh!
November 16, 2022 @ 8:12 am
Does anyone know who these people in the Best New Artist category are? The only ones I have ever heard of are Molly Tuttle and Maneskin (they won the Eurovision Song Contest, which is quite the thing over here in Europe).
The other names sound made up.
November 17, 2022 @ 4:31 pm
Wet Leg are a pretty decent indie rock act, the rest are made up for sure.
November 16, 2022 @ 10:18 am
I think the big question is why are no country artists nominated in the the big 4 categories? Even Billboard magazine acknowledges that the Grammy’s need to do better with country being a major genre.