55th Annual Grammy Awards Preview

grammy-awardsSunday night is the most important night in music of the year as the 55th annual Grammy Awards will be transpiring in Los Angeles. Independent-minded music consumers can go back and forth about just how important Grammy night is, but regardless if you like the winners or even care to pay attention, what transpires Sunday night will have effects on the entire music world.

And in 2013, the effects on roots music could be greater than they have ever been before, with artists like Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys, and The Lumineers up for some of the night’s most prestigious awards. Sunday night could be the crowning of “roots” music as the most influential force in popular music right now, whether roots fans like it or not, or feel the artists who will be bestowed with awards truly represent the essence of the modern roots world is all about.

Another primary interest will be the Taylor Swift performance that will start the show. Rumored to be her smash bubblegum pop hit, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor will once again test the will of country-dom to continue to number her amongst their ranks despite the parade of pop songs she has released from her latest album, including her latest single, “22.”

Oh, and then there’s the ever-present possibility that Taylor Swift bombs the performance like she did New Year’s night. But on Sunday, Taylor will not benefit from half the press core vomiting into toilets while the other half holds their hair back. All eyes and ears will be on Taylor, with vivid memories of her awful 2010 performance on these very Grammy Awards very much front of mind.

Here’s some observations, and half-cocked predictions.

Best Country Album

If you need any more evidence that the Grammys do their best to reward not just commercial success, but artistic substance, look no further than this list of Best Country Album candidates. The Time Jumpers? The Jamey Johnson Hank Cochran tribute? Sure, it wouldn’t be my list. I would have Kellie Pickler’s 100 Proof on here to start, but it’s certainly interesting. Zac Brown would be the pick for an album that both performed well commercially, and has some good points artistically. But this is a peer-voted award, and the sheer number of collaborators on Living For A Song, and the friends of those collaborators might put it over the top. I believe this is how the Guy Clark tribute won Album of the Year at the Americana Music Awards. Despite Hunter playing most of the instruments on his album, he would be the commercial pick.

Uncaged Zac Brown Band2nd

Hunter Hayes Hunter Hayes3rd

Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran Jamey Johnson1st pick

Four The Record Miranda Lambert

The Time Jumpers The Time Jumpers

Best Country Solo Performance

Okay, all those nice things I said about the Grammys and rewarding substance? Strike that. This list is awful. Jason Isbell claimed in the past that Dierks Bentley stole “Home” from him. Once again we see Hunter Hays has powerful friends. Blake Shelton might win another award based solely on his reality show celebrity status from The Voice. And however powerful “Blown Away” is, it’s in no way country. Ronnie Dunn should probably win, but does he have enough buddies in Grammy land to pull it off? I’m fearing a big night for Hunter Hays.

“Home” Dierks Bentley

“Springsteen” Eric Church

“Cost Of Livin’” Ronnie Dunn – Let’s hope

“Wanted” Hunter Hayes

“Over” Blake Shelton

“Blown Away” Carrie Underwood

Best Country Song

We should all hope that Will Hoge finally gets recognized for the brilliant songwriter that he is. This list isn’t nearly as bad as the “Best Solo Performance, but Eric Church’s “Springsteen” summer anthem, though catchy, doesn’t belong being nominated for anything. It wasn’t even the best song on his own album.

“Blown Away” Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (performed by: Carrie Underwood)

“Cost Of Livin’” Phillip Coleman & Ronnie Dunn, songwriters (performed by: Ronnie Dunn) One to root for

“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” Will Hoge & Eric Paslay, songwriters (performed by: Eli Young Band) – One to root for 

“So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore” Jay Knowles & Adam Wright, songwriters (performed by: Alan Jackson)

“Springsteen” Eric Church, Jeff Hyde & Ryan Tyndell, songwriters (performed by: Eric Church)

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

I was surprised “Safe & Sound” didn’t win at the CMA’s. It feels like a strong contender here, but with The Civil Wars on indefinite hiatus, voters may want to give their nod to a project with a brighter future. Even if it doesn’t win, Don Williams’ “I Just Came Here For The Music” already scores a victory for simply being noticed. An excellent song, and an even better performance by Don and Alison. “Pontoon” is a borderline joke song, and it is an embarrassment to country music it was even nominated. Are The Time Jumpers the 2013 Grammy sleeper? With all these nominations, they could rise up and be one of the big winners of the night.

Even If It Breaks Your Heart” Eli Young Band

“Pontoon” Little Big Town

“Safe & Sound” Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars

“On The Outskirts Of Town” The Time Jumpers

“I Just Come Here For The Music” – Don Williams Featuring Alison Krauss – Feel Good Story

Best Americana Album

This is the toughest to handicap. By sales, impact, and influence, Mumford & Sons should walk away with this easily, like them or not. But since they are the favored for the more prestigious (and televised) Album of the Year, will voters favor another candidate here? The runner up would be The Lumineers, but they are up for the “Best New Artist” as well. Meanwhile there sit The Avett Brothers who were actually making this type of music when Mumford and The Lumineers were still going through puberty, and it wasn’t cool or commercially successful. And don’t count out Bonnie Raitt. She has a lot of friends with Grammy votes. John Fullbright is a real feel good story, but I’m not sure he stands a chance in this strong of a field.

The Carpenter The Avett Brothers – Deserve it way more than the Johnny Come Lately’s

From The Ground Up John FullbrightThe Underdog to Root For

The Lumineers The Lumineers

Babel   Mumford & Sons

Slipstream Bonnie Raitt – Powerful friends and many of them

© 2023 Saving Country Music