Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell Come Up Big in 2015 Grammy Nominations
The 2015 Grammy Awards will be a big one for country music, and for some very deserving stars. Not every year are the biggest categories of the night—Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist—relevant to country. But this year, country artists make it into all three categories, including a huge nod for Chris Stapleton for Album of the Year. It comes off the songwriter riding a tremendous wave from three big wins and the marquee performance at the 2015 CMA Awards in November. The wins came right as the Grammy nomination process was in full swing, and results in him walking away with four nominations.
In the Americana categories, Jason Isbell, who was famously snubbed a couple of years ago, walks away with two nominations. Also Lee Ann Womack, Hayes Carll, Dave Cobb, and Merle Haggard and surprising nomination recipients, along with a slew of other deserving names in the Americana, American roots, bluegrass, and folk categories. All the country relevant categories and the nominees can be found below with further thoughts.
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Album of the Year
On the surface, you would have to consider Chris Stapleton the massive underdog. But I am done of betting against him. Until he actually loses a major award, he has to be considered a front runner, even in this field. Remember, last year Beck shocked the world by winning in this category. How did he do it? By the field splitting between other front runners, giving him the space to emerge. This is also how Stapleton also pulled off his CMA wins. Very likely this time the field will split between Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift. Either one of these two will run away with it, or Stapleton will slip in for another earth-shattering win.
Also, let’s give some attention to the Alabama Shakes. They are regularly associated with the Americana crowd, and it’s good to see a throwback band get this recognition. The Weeknd has no chance; too early in the career. Let’s also recognize it’s not every year a country album gets recognized in the Grammy’s top category.
Sound & Color Alabama Shakes
To Pimp A Butterfly Kendrick Lamar
Traveller Chris Stapleton
1989 Taylor Swift
Beauty Behind The Madness The Weeknd
Song of the Year
Chris Stapleton’s big wins at the CMA’s overshadowed that “Girl Crush” swept the song categories. Consider it a strong contender here. Here’s hoping “Blank Space” and Max Martin don’t win. “Thinking Out Loud” has to be a front runner, and a deserving song. Not every year does this category have country implications.
“Alright” Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
“Blank Space” Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
“Girl Crush” Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Little Big Town)
“See You Again” Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz, songwriters (Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth)
“Thinking Out Loud” Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)
Best New Artist
Hopefully Sam Hunt loses, but he’s got to be considered a front runner from the year he’s had. Meghan Trainor’s Nashville ties also makes her one to watch.
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor
Best Country Album
Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves have to be considered your front runners. Kacey always does very well come awards show time, and we know Chris Stapleton’s track record so far. Though it would be painful to watch, Sam Hunt could have a real shot. Remember, the Grammy’s are voted on by everyone, and there’s lots of pop listeners out there who love to say, “I never liked country until I heard Sam Hunt.”
Montevallo Sam Hunt
Pain Killer Little Big Town
The Blade Ashley Monroe
Pageant Material Kacey Musgraves
Traveller Chris Stapleton
Best Country Song
Very good field, Grammy Awards. But “Traveller” feels like a default pick (though it may win), and Brandy Clark’s selection feels like a significant stretch just to get her a nod. Would be cool to see Lee Ann Womack and Hayes Carll walk away with some hardware together, but “Girl Crush” is your front runner.
“Chances Are” – Lee Ann Womack, writer Hayes Carll
“Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” – Tim McGraw, Barry Dean, Luke Laird & Jonathan Singleton, songwriters
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters
“Hold My Hand” – Brandy Clark, Brandy Clark & Mark Stephen Jones songwriters
“Traveller” – Chris Stapleton, Chris Stapleton songwriter
Best Americana Album
Jason Isbell got snubbed for this award two years ago in maybe one of the biggest snubbings in Grammy history, so it’s great to see him finally recognized. He also has to be considered the leader of the pack. But the Grammy voters have a history of going with names they know and recognizing legends. Rosanne Cash swept the Americana awards last year. So don’t count out Emmylou and Rodney. The Firewatcher’s Daughter was significantly underrated this year. Good to see it get a nomination. Mono is the wrong Mavericks album to nominate.
The Firewatcher’s Daughter Brandi Carlile
The Traveling Kind Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
Something More Than Free Jason Isbell
Mono The Mavericks
The Phosphorescent Blues Punch Brothers
Best Country Solo Performance
Cam will receive a lot of interest, but is she well known enough to receive votes from the all-genre Grammy voting populous? Stapleton’s song feels like a default pick here, but he has a good chance of winning. “Little Toy Guns” is a good pick from Carrie Underwood—much better than her recent singles. Urban may win if his label can lean on enough voters.
Lee Ann Womack – “Chances Are”
Cam – “Burning House”
Chris Stapleton – “Traveller”
Carrie Underwood – “Little Toy Guns”
Keith Urban – ” John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16″
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Little Big Town is the critical favorite this year. Charles Kelley’s song had barely had its umbilical cord snipped when the nomination process started. Let it take its first breaths before we start nominating it for crap, huh?
Joey + Rory is obviously a sympathy pick here after Joey has been diagnosed with terminal Cancer.
Brothers Osborne – “Stay A Little Longer”
Joey + Rory – “If I Needed You”
Charles Kelley (with Eric Paslay & Dierks Bentley)- “The Driver”
Little Big Town – “Girl Crush”
Blake Shelton with Ashley Monroe – “Lonely Tonight”
Best American Roots Performance
Nobody knows what the hell this category is, or who to put here.
“And Am I Born To Die” – Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn
“Born To Play Guitar” – Buddy Guy
“City Of Our Lady” – The Milk Carton Kids
“Julep” – Punch Brothers
“See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” – Mavis Staples
Best American Roots Song
Let’s put the Punch Brothers in bluegrass where they belong. Let’s put Don Henley and Merle Haggard in country where they belong. This could go to anyone. If it was strictly Americana voters, Isbell would walk away with it hands down. But the Grammy Awards like names they’ve known for years.
“All Night Long” – The Mavericks – Raul Malo, songwriter (The Mavericks)
“The Cost Of Living” – Don Henley & Merle Haggard – Don Henley & Stan Lynch, songwriters
“Julep” – Punch Brothers – Chris Eldridge, Paul Kowert, Noam Pikelny, Chris Thile & Gabe Witcher, songwriters
“The Traveling Kind” – Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – Cory Chisel, Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris, songwriters (Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell)
“24 Frames” – Jason Isbell – Jason Isbell, songwriter (Jason Isbell)
Best Bluegrass Album
Pocket Full Of Keys – Dale Ann Bradley
Before The Sun Goes Down – Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
In Session – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Man Of Constant Sorrow – Ralph Stanley & Friends
The Muscle Shoals Recordings – The Steeldrivers
Best Folk Album
Wood, Wire & Words – Norman Blake
Béla Fleck And Abigail Washburn – Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn
Tomorrow Is My Turn – Rhiannon Giddens
Servant Of Love – Patty Griffin
Didn’t He Ramble – Glen Hansard
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
Dave Cobb is nominated in this category for:
” Delilah (Anderson East) (A)
” Little Neon Limelight (Houndmouth) (A)
” Smoke (A Thousand Horses) (S)
” Something More Than Free (Jason Isbell) (A)
” Southernality (A Thousand Horses) (A)
” 3 (Honeyhoney) (A)
” Traveller (Chris Stapleton) (A)
Tom
December 7, 2015 @ 10:03 am
I said this in the other blog, but there is no fucking chance that anyone could listen to “Montevello” and “Traveller” back-to-back and say that they are even close to being in the same genre.
Jeremy
December 7, 2015 @ 10:08 am
If Stapleton wins album of the year the “who is this guy” crowd would burn down the Internet. Also a song like “Chances Are” is a great song. Loved it when Hayes sung it. I hate that another artist, with a bigger name, has to do it in order for it to get recognition. Not saying that Leeann is someone to scoff at though.
See Ya
December 7, 2015 @ 10:20 am
To an extent, yes. People were crowning 1989 the winner the second it came out in October 2014, and any other outcome is going to p!ss people off.
The album category has become notorious for these kinds of “frustrating” upsets – you had Herbie Hancock beating presumed winner Amy Winehouse (or Kanye), Arcade Fire beating Eminem, Gaga, and Katy Perry, and then Beck beating Sam Smith and Beyonce last year. People get mad every year.
I don’t, however, think the backlash would be as bad for Stapleton … mainly because he’s almost certain to perform, and thus almost certain to steal the show. Since everyone is going to be talking about how that old guy with the beard was the best performer of the night, they’ll probably be okay with his Grammy win.
Fuzzy TwoShirts (I Am The Fuzzy One)
December 7, 2015 @ 10:25 am
Herbie Hancock was totally deserving of his win, whereas I can’t imagine Kanye being deserving of any awards.
See Ya
December 7, 2015 @ 10:59 am
He was deserving, but there was a lot of shock/controversy surrounding the win. Many people had anointed Amy Winehouse the year’s winner.
On top of that, Kanye dissed Herbie (and the other nominees) earlier in the night, by basically declaring AOTY a two-CD race between his album and Amy’s album. He came off like a jerk, but the masses sort of agreed with him.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 10:34 am
Don’t underestimate the “Us vs. Them” mentality of some of the hip-hop crowd. It’s not that Beck won (or Chirs Stapleton might), it’s that they lost, and the Kanye’s of the world see that as an injustice no matter what. The Grammys are probably already trying to figure out how to concoct their own Timberlake/Stapleton moment, since that might have been the biggest musical moment all genre in 2015 on any awards show. Perhaps a collaboration on a new single from Justin Timberlak’se upcoming “country” record, a song co-written by Stapleton?
Jeremy
December 7, 2015 @ 4:33 pm
I was referencing the reaction on social media after the CMAs. I would think the Grammys audience would be bigger, and thus a bigger reaction of “Who is this guy?”.
Fuzzy TwoShirts (I Am The Fuzzy One)
December 7, 2015 @ 10:23 am
I think Fleck and Washburn, or Mavis Staples will take “Roots Performance” but “Bluegrass Album” is more than likely going to Dr. Stanley. Unless Isbell takes Americana album, in which case Punch Brothers are more than likely going to have a strong showing in the other categories. Best folk album is probably going to Norman Blake… I think it’s safe to say Stapleton will have a huge year… Blake Shelton is just about washed up, I think now that he doesn’t have Miranda’s coattails to ride on that his career is going to plummet fast. Joey and Rory are probably going to have a huge, albeit totally undeserved win. Minnie Pearl and B.B. King have diabetes and nobody bats an eye, some Country also-ran has cancer (which by the way can be cured, while diabetes can’t) and everybody goes nuts.
And why was “24 Frames” nominated instead of “Flagship of the Fleet?” “Flagship” would have a much better chance, at least in my mind.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 10:37 am
I love the Punch Brothers, but keep them in their own category. If they win for Americana album just because all of the concerto types recognize their name, it will be a huge injustice. That’s why it really bothers me to see them in Americana.
As happy as I was to see the Joey + Rory nod, you can’t help but think how unfair it is to the other nominees, or potential nominees whose spot was taken. Yes, let’s honor Joey + Rory, but sympathy voting is just not the most fair way to govern these matters.
Fuzzy TwoShirts (I Am The Fuzzy One)
December 7, 2015 @ 10:42 am
Unfortunately, defying Genres has been a watermark of Chris Thile’s career. Calling him any one thing is almost impossible because he’s constantly doing other stuff too. He fits more comfortably in a lot of other categories, but American Roots is not one of them. I guess it became a catch-all for genre-hoppers…
I’m cool with sympathy voting, to an extent, but certain diseases seem to get preferential treatment.
Jack Williams
December 7, 2015 @ 10:54 am
Minnie Pearl and B.B. King have diabetes and nobody bats an eye, some Country also-ran has cancer (which by the way can be cured, while diabetes can”™t) and everybody goes nuts.
Jesus, but you can be one callous individual. Minnie Pearl was in her mid 80’s when she died and B.B. was almost 90. Joey Feek has terminal cancer and has a toddler she won’t see grow up. As a parent, I can’t imagine that kind of emotional pain. And what you mean no one batted an eye? BB didn’t have any new album out and if he did, I’m sure it would have been nominated, as he seemed to always get nominated when he had an album out. Do you mean no one paid attention when he died? If so, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.
As far as them getting nominated, the GRAMMYs have such a poor track record as far as artistic quality goes to begin with. There are worse things than a traditional act getting nominated while singing a Townes Van Zant song.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
December 7, 2015 @ 11:08 am
I’m just saying that whereas Cancer can be cured, Diabetes can’t. A diabetic goes to bed knowing that their sugar might drop and they’ll never wake up, a diabetic sits in a chair knowing that if their sugar plummets they might not be level-headed enough to realize the danger, and they’ll drift off into oblivion leaving behind their families.
These awards should go to the most deserving person, and not to someone we feel sympathy for. Giving Joey this award won’t provide for her family, this award can’t be a mother to her child.
Yeah, I know the awards don’t always go to the best individual (or group) but we should still try and uphold the standards and not just give them to somebody with a big enough sob-story.
And I apologize if I hurt anybody who has family or friends with cancer. It’s not my intent and I wish you the best in your struggle.
Jack Williams
December 7, 2015 @ 11:40 am
These awards should go to the most deserving person, and not to someone we feel sympathy for.
I agree with that. I would say that they often go to the most recognized name (e.g., Bonnie Raitt winning the Americana GRAMMY without Isbell’s Southeastern even getting a nomination) or maybe some other capricious reason comes into play (e.g., Linda Chorney’s working of the system to get a Americana nomination in 2011 for an adult comtemporary album despite being a COMPLETE unknown to the already obscure to begin with roots music community).
I was rooting for Dave and Phil Alvin to win the blues GRAMMY last year. After Johnny Winter died, they didn’t have a chance.
Ahmed
December 7, 2015 @ 10:39 am
Rooting for Stapleton in the country album category. And I don’t know what’s with your random Blank Space hate, especially when it’s the only song nominated for SOTY that has anything close to an original idea. Max Martin, who you (deservingly) hate so much, didn’t contribute much, if anything at all, to the lyrics, despite getting a writing credit, and it’s is as much a Taylor Swift song as anything she’s ever released. Lyrically, it’s pretty much an outstanding song, especially in comparison to the other songs nominated in the same category.
Thinking Out Loud has its fair share of cliched lyrics to deserve this imo. I feel like your taste simply leans towards anything that has organic instruments, and anything that doesn’t have Max Martin, regardless of the quality.
Fuzzy TwoShirts (I Am The Fuzzy One)
December 7, 2015 @ 10:47 am
Taylor Swift is totally outclassed this year. She’s like a spoon in a crowd of forks this year. Let’s face it, Norman Blake, Mavis Staples, Thile, Stapleton, Isbell, Fleck, Stanley, Haggard and Henley… She’s completely out of her element when compared to just about everybody on this awards show. I think she, Meghan Trainor, and Joey/Rory are the most outclassed of the nominees.
Not that spoons are inherently worse than forks, but these awards are about the best music, the most profound or creative. In that sense Taylor Swift is a spoon who got entered into a spaghetti-eating contest.
See Ya
December 7, 2015 @ 12:15 pm
What makes you say Trainor is outclassed in her category? I feel like people are latching onto her as an easy “SHE got nominated and my fave didn’t” target because she’s mainstream yet not a darling of the pop blogs, but she checks any conceivable box. She writes good songs. She has a good voice. She’s earned acclaim in the form of nominations for Record and Song of the Year. And she already has 4 platinum or multi-platinum singles from a platinum album.
I think a case can be made for why each fellow BNA nominee is better in her in a certain way, but she still seems like the most complete of the nominees when you take into account what usually matters to the Grammy voters.
Ahmed
December 7, 2015 @ 3:12 pm
Not really, no, that’s just you being condescending. Her album is on par, if not better, than most of her peers’ releases during the eligibility period imo.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
December 7, 2015 @ 9:04 pm
Not if you count Isbell or Stapleton as peers.
If you’re considering her peers to be jokers like Blake Shelton… I’d agree with you.
Gena R.
December 7, 2015 @ 10:51 am
“’Chances Are’ ”“ Lee Ann Womack, writer Hayes Carll
‘Hold My Hand’ ”“ Brandy Clark, Brandy Clark & Mark Stephen Jones songwriters”
Woohoo! 😀 Nice to see several of my other faves in these categories — Kacey and Ashley, Emmylou & Rodney, Don (with Merle), the Mavericks, Rhiannon… Congrats to Chris and Jason, as well!
mark
December 7, 2015 @ 4:18 pm
good luck to Hayes Carll, hope he wins this.
Whiskeytown
December 7, 2015 @ 8:00 pm
Same here. Was excited to see this on top of all the other great nominees. Also glad to see Townes getting one in as well.
Dallas
December 7, 2015 @ 11:03 am
What is the date for the grammy’s? I keep getting last years date when I google.
musicfan
December 7, 2015 @ 11:33 am
I am pretty sure it’s February 15th.
Hayley
December 7, 2015 @ 11:16 am
Trigger, wish you would touch on Ashley Monroe’s MAJOR nomination considering that she gets even less radio play is is better vocally than Musgraves IMO. I am in love with “The Blade”, very deserving and great for the women of the genre.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 1:55 pm
I’m happy for Ashley Monroe and I’m glad to see her get nominated.
I’m going to have much much more on the Grammy Awards in the coming weeks and months heading to the presentation, including on Monroe. I think this could be a HUGE night for country, arguably the biggest night since 2012 when Swift did so well (and she wasn’t even really country). All I really had time for this morning was knee jerk reactions because everybody wants to talk about the nominations right after they’re released.
Hayley
December 7, 2015 @ 3:03 pm
Thanks Trigger! Very exciting for sure! Can’t wait to see your follow ups and lI’ve coverage
Nadia Lockheart
December 7, 2015 @ 11:21 am
This is where I say “I told you so!” ^__^ ^__^ ^__^
Stapleton will be the underdog in the running for Album of the Year, though, seeing that Dr. Dre got snubbed. It’s not betting against him so much as acknowledging Kendrick Lamar HAS to be viewed as the hands-on favorite: especially seeing race relations has been a huge topic of discussion in 2015 and “To Pimp A Butterfly” is masterfully about so much more than that in its relevancy.
My only mistake was insisting Stapleton was a shoo-in for Best New Artist. I was oblivious of the fact he was deemed ineligible due to his work with two previous acts. I thought they’d regard his solo stint as a separate entity. Oh well.
By July of 2016, mark my words: “Traveller” WILL shift more total units than Luke Bryan’s “Kill the Lights”. ^__^
Greg
December 7, 2015 @ 12:31 pm
Yep, ever since the CMAs Stapleton has been putting up Iron Man Numbers on the album sales charts and “Nobody to Blame” has seen a steady rise in radio play. It is nice because I got to meet Chris during his time with the Jompson Brothers and he is such a well deserving man.
A bit off topic but my radio station seems to be improving greatly. While I normally don’t listen to commercial country radio, I wanted to see if Stapleton’s win has made an impact and sure enough I heard Stapleton, Mo Pitney, and Jon Pardi’s new song all in the same drive (This coming from a station that seemed to repeat Luke Bryan songs every hour). We are heading in the right direction, that is for sure.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 1:51 pm
Interesting prediction.
Nadia Lockheart
December 7, 2015 @ 3:55 pm
I predict this because Stapleton’s rapid ascent in popularity is NOT limited to country music.
It ties right into how you described Adele’s mass appeal that transcends all genre constraints. Just as Adele has a voice and a penchant for deconstructing music right back to its building blocks and roots, so does Stapleton.
Stapleton has a voice that is decidedly more soulful than anything, and the reason his album and “Tennessee Whiskey” remain hot-sellers weeks after the CMAs isn’t limited to his rising airplay fortunes and name recognition in country music, but all-genre appreciation. Many love him for a similar reason they love Adele, and that will translate to a better-selling album than Bryan’s current album ultimately.
Trainwreck92
December 7, 2015 @ 3:25 pm
Yeah, if Kendrick hadn’t released TPAB, Stapleton could possibly have a chance, but that record was just a complete monster, both critically and comericially. I’m pulling for Courtney Barnett for Best New Artist.
Nadia Lockheart
December 7, 2015 @ 3:44 pm
Had Dr. Dre not been snubbed for “Compton”, I would have viewed Stapleton as the clear favorite in this field.
I thought Hozier was going to get nominated for his album, but apparently I either overestimated his commercial and critical stature or perhaps his album wasn’t eligible in terms of timing. Without Hozier, Chris Stapleton is by far poised as the strongest challenger to Kendrick Lamar (frankly, I don’t view Taylor Swift’s “1989” as a threat, given how polarizing it has been).
Honestly, as a music fan foremost, “To Pimp A Butterfly” deserves Album of the Year most in that I just consider it a marvelous album to Stapleton’s enjoyable but not outstanding “Traveller”. But Stapleton will be a huge winner no matter what with a televised performance slot, a likely sweep of the Country categories and rising commercial muscle.
Luke the Drifter
December 7, 2015 @ 11:27 am
Glad to see The Blade get an album of the year nomination. I have to say I liked Like a Rose better overall, but Ashley Monroe is super talented, and one of my favorite modern country artists. Very impressed with the Grammy nominations overall for not being associated specifically with country music. I’d say they did better than the CMAs.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 11:45 am
Not that anyone cares but me, but Charles Kelly’s “The Driver” was officially released on September 28th. The window for Grammy eligibility closes September 30th. Still seems like an extremely strange pick for a song that hasn’t even cracked the Top 40, and really isn’t as substantive as sold.
Nadia Lockheart
December 7, 2015 @ 3:48 pm
Yeah, you’re right that this warrants suspicion.
For the record, I was underwhelmed by “The Driver”: mostly because of how it tries to promote itself as something deeper than it actually is. The chorus in particular exposes itself as shallow with the “Hell yeah, let’s crack cold ones and get loud everyone!” pseudo-inspirationalism.
Robert S
December 7, 2015 @ 11:52 am
Rolling Stone article has a hilarious typo: Little Toy Guys,” Carrie Underwood”
Anyway, if Chris doesn’t get the album thing, my second pick would be Alabama Shakes. One thing that leapt off the page at me was the enormous list of people listed on the other 3 nominees’ albums- committees of 20-30 people (plus however many uncredited subcommittees each of those committee members might have had, and their associated underconsultants, subhandlers, lieutenant elbowfluffers, apprentice ass-scratchers, window-lickers, and autotune tuners or whatever the hell they are).
JD
December 7, 2015 @ 12:05 pm
Just a note – you’re missing Lee Ann Womack’s “Chances Are” off Country Solo
I’m pretty happy with the nominations this year. With a few glaring exceptions (*cough* Sam Hunt *cough* Keith Urban), the nominees this year are pretty good (considering this is a mainstream award show).
Kevin Davis
December 7, 2015 @ 12:09 pm
How the hell does Keith Urban’s “John Cougar…”³ get a nomination? That is such a pathetic and pandering song.
Chris Stapleton deserves the nods, but it is a shame that someone like Whitey Morgan is still overlooked.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 1:42 pm
If Whitey Morgan wants to be considered for stuff like this, he needs to start working with a label or some larger entity who can get him in the awards show channels. Otherwise it will never happen. But I’m not sure how much Whitey Morgan cares about this stuff. He was nominated for Ameripolitan 🙂
Applejack
December 7, 2015 @ 8:44 pm
With Keith Urban being such a big fan of guys like Sturgill Simpson and Don Williams, you’d think he would at least be self aware not to release such nutrient-free drivel as that “John Cougar” song.
Jack Williams
December 7, 2015 @ 12:10 pm
Some thoughts on the rootsy categories:
Not sure I get Patty Griffin’s Servant of Love being nominated in Folk and not Americana. However, I guess I should be glad that it was nominated at all. It looks like Dave Rawlings Machine’s excellent Nashville Obsolete album got completely shut out. Maybe a combination of late release and that this one has his name on it and not Gillian Welch’s name?
No nomination for James McMurtry. Boo.
I’m glad to see Brandi Carlile and Rhiannon Giddens get nominations.
The Emmylou/Rodney nomination in Americana and Buddy Guy in Blues seem like automatics.
I’m a Bettye LaVette fan and I think Worthy is a very good album, but she’s not a blues artist and Worthy isn’t a blues album. And I don’t think she would disagree with that. But hey, congratulations to her.
Too bad Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin didn’t get a Blues nomination for Lost Time. They got one last year for Common Ground and I think Lost Time is even better.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 1:40 pm
They really need to get their act together in some of the undercard roots categories. Many just look like a hodgepodge, and since they eliminated the Western Swing category, all of those bands get overlooked, but then they’re nominating other artists in categories just because they need to put someone there. Patty’s folk nomination makes just as much sense as Old Crow Medicine Show’s last year. Though like you said, it’s good she got recognized.
Wasn’t expecting any love for McMurtry. His label and management are likely too small to get recognized, which is unfortunate.
Angelo
December 7, 2015 @ 12:51 pm
Do you really think that song full of cliches by Ed Sheeran is better than Blank Space?
Just because Max Martin got a co-writing credit, doesn’t mean it’s bad. I think it’s good, very good. Surely much better than that Sheeran sugary track.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 1:34 pm
I think the whole category proves what a beating songs have taken recently. So we’re going to give it to “Blank Space,” which is basically a song about misconceptions of Taylor Swift in the media? How does that speak to the human experience beyond Taylor Swift? I’m not saying the Ed Sheeran song is great.
Ahmed
December 7, 2015 @ 3:10 pm
Why should it speak to the human experience beyond Taylor Swift? Who cares if it’s relatable or not? Taylor Swift has made her fair share of relatable, universal relationship songs over the years, so it’s good that she decided to take a chance with this song and do something beyond writing the same old love song that everybody can relate to. It’s not self-victimizing, self-centered or annoying. It’s nice to hear someone sing about their own individual experience instead of pandering to the masses by eliminating any kinds of details, or specifity in general, to achieve as much widespread appeal as possible.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 6:27 pm
I’m not necessarily condemning the song (though I’m not particularly a fan), I just think a Song of the Year should be something that resonates more universally. That’s what makes it a Song of the Year. It’s not about the human experience, it’s about the Taylor Swift experience.
Applejack
December 7, 2015 @ 8:31 pm
I usually try to steer clear of this topic, but…
I’m pretty sure all of Taylor Swift’s songs are about the Taylor Swift experience.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 8:55 pm
Taylor Swift’s song “Mean,” which won two Grammy Awards, was about being bullied. When it was released, bullying was a really big narrative throughout society with so many teen suicides and such. How many people can personally relate to being misrepresented in the media for having too many boyfriends?
Applejack
December 7, 2015 @ 9:39 pm
Oh I know, Trig.
That was a jab directed at her royal Swiftness …
😉
Stu
December 8, 2015 @ 1:24 pm
I think you’re thinking of Shake It Off as far as the “misconceptions about Taylor Swift” plot line. Blank Space is more of another relationship rumination, though it’s at least from a slightly different perspective. Aside from that though, I think you’re giving the “being misrepresented in the media” angle a really shallow reading. Specifically we read it as that because of what we know about Taylor the person, but it’s universal enough to be about anyone who feels they’ve been reduced to a one-dimensional personality or unfair characterization, whether that’s by a cabal of popular high schoolers, an unhealthy workplace or the perceived community of social media. Not a perfect song by any means, but it both espouses a strong, individual viewpoint while offering an emotional core that’s fairly relatable (especially to a heavily teen-aged audience). That’s not to mention a really, really strong melody and an interesting arrangements (songwriting is way more than just lyric writing).
Compare that to “Thinking Out Loud”, which is just a list of tropes set to the most predictable possible choices for melody and arrangement, and it’s just a truly awful song.
Trigger
December 8, 2015 @ 1:45 pm
I think Swift folks are making way to much of flippant comments made in response to others in a comments section. I can’t mention Taylor Swift these days without getting swarmed. “Blank Space” is not a song worthy of “Song of the Year” consideration. That is my opinion. Clearly, others disagree because it’s nominated for a Grammy. So I guess the joke’s on me.
Stu
December 8, 2015 @ 3:26 pm
Eh, I could care less about Swift and frankly find the endless hype exhausting, and I agree it’s not my song of the year by any stretch of the imagination. I’m not a huge fan of swift or 1989, but there’s some solid writing in there and I think dismissing it unfairly ignores the fact that her brand of pop music at least involves some personal expression that the majority of mainstream music lacks. I only stuck up for the song at all because compared to generic fluff like Sheeran, it’s a solid step up for popular music.
sandra
December 7, 2015 @ 1:01 pm
Can we just take a moment to thank the Grammys for having some class and not nominating Luke Bryan and his bro friends and Sam Hunt didnt get as much nominations as we thought he would.
I cant even explain how happy i am for Ashley Monroe.
cilla
December 7, 2015 @ 2:19 pm
If I could update your comment 100x’s I would. Luke Bryan won’t get nominated because….fill in the bank. He might have a stream of 14-20yr olds who like his music,But the Grammy awards are judged by People in the industry and that is why we can now see clearly that BRO-Country Is dying off. Blake got a nom because of a duet with Ashley Monroe, No Where near any bro or metro crap.
Maybe country radio will go back to being country radio in the not so distant future.
I hope Chris Stapleton takes home at least 2 Grammy awards. He Does deserve every nomination he got. He did put out QUALITY MUSIC.
TM
December 7, 2015 @ 1:03 pm
I’m just really happy to see some of the names listed here, regardless of the winners. Of course I’m going to pull hard for Stapleton and Isbell, but I’m also keeping my fingers crossed for Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes to pull one out. Either way, I’ll definitely be tuning in for this years broadcast.
Richk
December 7, 2015 @ 1:20 pm
It often feels like awards are about who’s “inside” vs. who’s “outside” to some extent. Stapleton is a true outsider at the Grammy’s whereas arguably he is the opposite in the country world (if not country radio). There’s way more to be gained by crowning Sam Hunt in this environment vs. Stapleton — instant cross-over (or continued cross-over) success and record sales and a next-album that could pull huge numbers (in a post-Adele world where albums suddenly sell). I agree the Grammy’s are tone-deaf old artists vs. new, so expect Isbell to come up empty vs. Emmylou Harris.
Trainwreck92
December 7, 2015 @ 3:41 pm
Blank space will probably get Song of the Year, but I’d love for Alright to get it. It’s ok though, since Kendrick will probably get Album of the Year, especially since he was robbed Macklemore got Rap Album of the Year over Kendrick’s Good Kid Maad City a few years ago.
BwareDWare94
December 7, 2015 @ 6:18 pm
Dave Cobb produced A Thousand Horses? Strange.
Tom
December 7, 2015 @ 7:31 pm
It wasn’t a bad album, the songwriting wasn’t great but I liked the sound of it, half southern rock / half pop country. There was a good amount of steel guitar too which was nice.
TheCheapSeats
December 7, 2015 @ 10:26 pm
It’s not a a bad album. Bad single releases, but not a bad album. I have come to realize that if Dave Cobb is involved, it’s worth checking out.
Jake W
December 7, 2015 @ 8:47 pm
Jason we’re pulling for you. Your boys may not need a “little gold plated paper weight” , but I still hope he wins.
Sarah
December 7, 2015 @ 9:03 pm
I am very happy for Ashley nomination. The Blade is such great album.
Applejack
December 7, 2015 @ 9:29 pm
You know, think the Grammys pretty much got things right this year.
I actually like three of the five artists in the country albums category, as well as the general Album of the Year category. In short, there’s a lot of good stuff here. (Alabama Shakes, Kendrick, etcetera,) From a country music perspective, there are four albums from this year that I would reasonably expect the Grammys to nominate if they want to be perceived as credible, and they’re all here: Stapleton, Musgraves, Monroe, and Isbell. I have seen those four names popping up all over various year-end lists recently, so there seems to be a critical concencus behind those four artists. Obviously, I agree that it would be great to see Whitey Morgan nominated for something, but I didn’t expect to see it. Most people still don’t know who he is. Also, I expected to see Stapleton to make the Album of the Year nominee list, but it’s great to see it made official. Really cool to see Dave Cobb nominated for Producer of the Year too. That guy is really making a name for himself around Nashville, and now even nationally, I guess.
A few other thoughts:
– It’s great to see Brandy Clark nominated for something, but it does feel kind of weird to see a song that she performed live on the Grammys last year nominated for a Grammy this year.
– I agree with y’all that the Americana and American Roots categories seem confusing and possibly redundant. I have no clue what the distiction between those two concepts might be.
– Assuming Chris Stapleton gets a performance slot, which seems like a pretty safe bet, I wish they would let him perform solo. He’s more than talented enough to hold people’s attention without any help. If that’s not in the cards, I wonder if this would be the opportunity to see that Stapleton / Tom Petty collaboration?
– I would really love to see Ashley Monroe get to perform something. (But NOT the duet with Blake Shelton.) I think she could really turn people’s heads like Brandy Clark did last year.
– I love Emmylou, but Jason Isbell obviously deserves this. i hate the idea of people voting for someone based on name recognition. But the voting system is extremely flawed, and people all over the music listening spectrum, especially baby boomer types, adore Emmylou.
Trigger
December 7, 2015 @ 9:47 pm
I think the chances of Ashley Monroe getting a solo performance slot are slim. Brandy Clark got a performance slot last year, but she was up for New Artist of the Year, which in Grammy Land, is one of the big four awards, and even she had to pair up with Dwight Yoakam. I hate to say it, but performing with Blake may be her best way to get on the stage. We’ll see.
Jack Williams
December 8, 2015 @ 1:29 pm
The first Emmylou/Rodney album won in 2014, which I guess would have been the year Southeastern was eligible and didn’t get nominated. I thought Old Yellow Moon was a good Country/Americana comfort food album, but not so good that I felt compelled to pick the new one up. I previewed it to a certain extent and it seems OK. Isbell really should be the one to win the Americana Grammy, but who knows? If he did, he would be the first one without “living legend” status to win it.
I see that SMTF was #1 in Rolling Stone’s top 40 country albums list. It’s a pretty good list too, with a few pop country stinkers. Emmylou/Rodney didn’t make it.
Trigger
December 8, 2015 @ 2:02 pm
“Something More Than Free” is not a country album.
Who will be the first to point out my hypocrisy since I nominated it for the Saving Country Music Album of the Year? 🙂
Applejack
December 8, 2015 @ 4:57 pm
I just checked out that Rolling Stone Country list. There was some good stuff there, but I’m rolling my eyes pretty hard at the inclusion of albums by the likes of Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, and Tyler Farr. (Who cares or even remembers that Tyler Farr released an album this year?) I know Rolling Stone tries to straddle the line between “alternative” music and corporate PR fluff, but that’s just downright silly.
Anyway, I have to say that I’m pretty pleased overall with the country / Americana representation on a lot of the year-end lists I’ve read in various publications this year. (Not that I really expect a lot…) In nearly every list I’ve read, either Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Ashley Monroe, Kacey Musgraves, or usually some combination thereof have made appearences. I thought the NPR list was especially nice, with all of the above names plus others like Rhiannon Giddens and Brandi Carlile.
I might be wrong, but I don’t recall country music getting that kind of critical consideration even a few years ago. It seems like, at least from a critical perspective, the word is getting out more and more about the independent / quality stuff, and that seems to be reflected in the Grammy nominations as well.
Texas country still totally gets the shaft, though.
Jack Williams
December 9, 2015 @ 7:48 am
Apparently, Tyler Farr’s album is a little better than Asleep At the Wheel’s Bob Wills tribute album, but not quite as good as Daniel Romano’s album. 😉
I agree that it’s a schizophrenic list, but I was happily surprised that so many very good and out of the mainstream albums were included. I think from #22 down (McMurtry, my favorite this year) it was mostly good stuff and the top five are all solid. Also, Rogers/Bowen at #7 was nice.
Trigger
December 9, 2015 @ 10:31 am
Somebody’s been reading Saving Country Music . . .
Not that it’s a bad thing.
컨트리쨔ì‘
December 8, 2015 @ 12:57 am
Glad to see Stapleton getting a nomination for Album of the Year
I really enjoyed Rhiannon Giddens, Punch Brothers, Jason Isbell, Stapleton, Carlile, Ashely Monroe and Musgraves this year. Though I’m not quite sure if their nomination would lead them into actually winning.
The list would be much better if Maddie&Tae filled the list instead of Sam Hunt
Lane
December 8, 2015 @ 9:49 am
So glad to see ASHLEY MONROE get some love!!! (even if one includes Mr. Hollywood/BS) She might not win any but just to have her deserving name in the mix is a wake up call to country hopefully. Also happy for Stapleton, Womack, Cam & LBT. Hope Carrie doesn’t win by default again LTG is NOT a good song, Burning House is so much better.
Robert S
December 8, 2015 @ 11:12 am
The Steeldrivers’ landing a bluegrass nomination is an interesting story, too.
It’s been 5 years or so since the two who wrote pretty much everything on their first two albums moved on, yet the group has managed remarkably well to integrate its foundation with the talents of the current lineup. The current nominated album does include one Stapleton cowrite, “Drinkin’ Alone” (which I heard on Sun Radio in Austin the last time I was in TX), and Isbell lends a hand on a couple of other songs.
Frank the Tank
December 8, 2015 @ 3:46 pm
Pleasantly surprised to see Ashley Monroe get a nomination (not that she doesn’t deserve it, but I would have thought a more mainstream artist would have been nominated). Her album was one of my favourite albums of the year.
Bear
December 8, 2015 @ 11:56 pm
UGh. These genre categories confuse me. I thought Isbell was country. I KNOW Emmylou and Rodney are country. So was Amricana created so that older or “obscure” country acts could still have a chance at some awards. I find it kind of diminishes the meaning of awards when they just add more categories to appease more people. And isn’t Alabama Shake “Americana” so how are they not up for “best Americana” album? I don’t get mad so much at the wins and losses as I do at how willy-nilly labels get tossed around. Like how sometimes a “best new artist” isn’t new at all.
Still I’m banking on Chris Stapleton to win album of the year because deep down my naivete believes most voters know that 1989 will not stand the test of time. Also I find it humorous the Martin and Shellback are listed first for credits on Blank Space considering all the lip service I get about Taylor Swift’s great song-writing on 1989.
lisa
December 9, 2015 @ 7:28 am
Whether they deserve it “musically” or not, I still can’t help but be happy for Joey + Rory – to see Rory’s post on Facebook this week and know the happiness it brought Joey during such a difficult time is truly heartwarming. I know this doesn’t mean they should get a Grammy just for sympathy – but it is still nice to see. It will be a nice memory for Rory to tell their daughter someday.
Brad
December 9, 2015 @ 9:42 am
Totally agree with you there Lisa especially since they do sing traditional country and do it quite well. And who did they really leave out by giving that nomination to them anyway. They have been overlooked by mainstream country for so long they kind of deserve some recognition anyway, and sadly this may be their last chance.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
December 9, 2015 @ 3:47 pm
Who did they really leave out?
How about Maddie and Tae, who actually did something worth talking about in Country Music. How about Randy and Wade? How about Willie and Merle?
How about practically any duo or group (or even collaboration between two people) who actually made a contribution instead of a sob story?
This award can never be a mother to her child, and maybe they’d be better off at home with family and friends instead of out in the spotlight worrying about an award that won’t matter.
Will she even be here in February? Wouldn’t her family suffer more if she isn’t because giving out that award will remind them of what they lost?
Brad
December 9, 2015 @ 4:29 pm
Weren’t you the same person complaining about Maddie and Tae not having anything important to say ? They could’ve replaced any of the other nominees with better material as well. It’s an award that won’t even be presented on Tv with an obvious winner , Girl Crush, so why not throw a nomination to a couple who have put out some pretty damn good country music these last few years. And no if she’s not here in February it will actually bring back happy memories . The Oscars nominates people all the time for body of work or posthumously for much bigger awards than this one and usually gets celebrated for it.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
December 9, 2015 @ 6:01 pm
I think Maddie and Tae are a sham. I do. But to say they haven’t done anything worth talking about is just wrong. As much as I think it was a hoax, “Girl In a Country Song” really shook things up.
I think “Girl Crush” has a long shot to win, honestly.
Trey
December 10, 2015 @ 5:57 am
Great to see Mono/The Mavericks get some recognition.
Anna
December 29, 2015 @ 12:29 pm
Apparently I love basically anything Dave Cobb gets his hands on. Anderson East is great and I’m now in love with honeyhoney’s album 3, besides the obvious Traveller and Something More Than Free (though I liked Southeastern far more).
The Firewatcher’s Daughter is a great album and I’m glad it’s getting some play on my local NPR station, and that it’s at least been nominated here.