KICK-FM’s 2015 ACM Predictions
April 19 is the date for this year's ACM Awards in Dallas. The nominees include the usual suspects, a few new faces, and a country superstar that has been out of the limelight for years, but has made a comeback in a major way.
Entertainer of the Year
Entertainer of the Year nominees: Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan.
Brian's pick: I'm picking Miranda Lambert here. It's time for a woman to win this award and there's no female artist that can really touch Miranda these days. Carrie is close, but Miranda is the Queen.
Kurt's pick: I'm going with Garth Brooks. Has anyone in country music generated as much excitement as Garth over the last year?
Male Vocalist of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year nominees: Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley.
Brian's pick: It's too easy to pick Luke Bryan. It's almost a gimme considering his huge popularity. That said... I'm picking Luke Bryan.
Kurt's pick: This category is very competitive. Even though he's sort of a country "outsider," I have a strange feeling that Eric Church just might take home the award.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Female Vocalist of the Year nominees: Miranda Lambert, Brandy Clark, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves and Carrie Underwood.
Brian's pick: With all due respect to the other nominees, if I have Miranda as Entertainer of the Year, she has to be Female Vocalist of the Year.
Kurt's pick: This category is becoming more and more of a two-person race, both at the ACMs and CMAs. It's either going to be Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert. I'm going with Miranda.
Vocal Group of the Year
Vocal Group of the Year nominees: Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Zac Brown Band
Brian's pick: This could go a few different ways, but I'm going with the hot hand right now, which is Little Big Town.
Kurt's pick: Really tough category. I was leaning toward Little Big Town, but I don't want to pick the same thing as Brian, so I'll go with Lady Antebellum.
New Artist of the Year
New Artist of the Year nominees: Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Sam Hunt.
Brian's pick: Cole Swindell and Sam Hunt are a little hotter right this very second, Thomas Rhett has the longest resume. I say Thomas Rhett.
Kurt's pick: Sam Hunt is selling out shows everywhere he goes. I'll say Sam Hunt.
Album of the Year
Album of the Year nominees: Old Boots, New Dirt - Jason Aldean, Pain Killer - Little Big Town, Platinum - Miranda Lambert, Riser - Dierks Bentley, The Outsiders - Eric Church.
Brian's pick: Miranda rules the world right now and I think she'll win this one too.
Kurt's pick: I think Miranda Lambert's got this one, though I wouldn't be surprised if Eric Church won the award. Still, I'm going with Miranda.
Song of the Year
Song of the Year nominees: American Kids - Kenny Chesney, Automatic - Miranda Lambert, Drink a Beer - Luke Bryan, Follow Your Arrow - Kacey Musgraves, Give Me Back My Hometown - Eric Church, I Hold On - Dierks Bentley.
Brian's pick: Miranda will need a new trailer to carry all her awards home.
Kurt's pick: Eric Church.