2016 ACM Awards Complete Preview
(Tune in Sunday night for Saving Country Music’s LIVE Blog of the ACM Awards)
The 51st ANNUAL ACM AWARDS
” When: 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern Sunday, April 3rd, 2016 on CBS.
” Where: MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
” Hosts: Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Another big night for Chris Stapleton. Nobody is up for more awards, and having already won for New Male Vocalist of the Year, and contending strongly for Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year, Chris Stapleton could end up with another monster night, and extend his stratospheric rise that has made him the best-selling country artist in the last 18 months. Chris Stapleton also performs during the presentation.
An awards show without many awards. It’s not that the ACM’s don’t have any awards, it’s that most of them will be given out by the time the actual telecast starts. Aside from the big major awards like Male and Female Vocalists, Album and Entertainer of the Year, pretty much the rest of the awards have been or will be given out (see below). There’s a good chance we may go an hour into the telecast without seeing one award bestowed. Taking the place of awards are more performances. This year there will be 25 total performers, not counting any surprises. Last year for the 50th Annual awards (which were 30 minutes longer), there were only 19 performers. One bright spot is there are seven female performers compared to last year’s measly four.
Tribute paid to Dolly Parton and Joey Feek. There will not be many interesting moments for traditional country fans on the 2016 ACM Awards. But one will be when Dolly Parton is dished out the Tex Ritter Award for her TV Movie Coat of Many Colors. And country singer Joey Feek of Joey+Rory will be honored during the telecast. Dolly Parton will also perform, but it will be with pop diva Katy Perry, so . . .
THE PRESENTERS
Artist presenters include: Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Maddie & Tae, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Garth Brooks (via satellite)?, and Cole Swindell.
Non-artist presenters include: Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O’Dell, Miss America Betty Cantrell, pro football player Von Miller, and actor Tom Hiddleston who plays Hank Williams in the new biopic I Saw The Light.
Actor Kiefer Sutherland who has launched his own country music career will also be a presenter.
THE PERFORMERS
” Luke Bryan will open the show, probably with his latest single “Huntin’ Fishin’ & Lovin’ Every Day.”
” Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top will perform ZZ Top’s song “Tush.” Keith Urban will also sing his new single “Wasted Time.”
” Dolly Parton will perform with Katy Perry.
” Kelsea Ballerini will perform with Nick Jonas.
” Little Big Town will perform with Trombone Shorty, who also appears on Dierks Bentley’s upcoming album.
” Chris Young and Cassadee Pope will perform the duet “Think of You.”
” Blake Shelton will perform his new song “Came Here to Forget.”
” Tim McGraw will perform “Humble and Kind” and feature photos sent in from fans.
” Jason Aldean will perform his brand new song “Lights Come On.”
” Carrie Underwood will sing “Church Bells.”
” Florida Georgia Line chooses “Confession” for their performance.
” Charles Kelley will perform new single “Lonely Girl”
” Thomas Rhett plays “Die A Happy Man.”
” Kenny Chesney is likely to play his new single “Noise.”
” LATE BREAKING: Sources say that Chris Stapleton will end the show.
OTHER PERFORMERS INCLUDE:
- Brett Eldredge
- Cam
- Dierks Bentley
- Eric Church
- Keith Urban
- Old Dominion
- Sam Hunt
- Cole Swindell
AWARD NOMINEES
***Read Saving Country Music’s Picks & Prognostications***
Many Awards Have Already Been Handed Out:
- New Male Vocalist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
- New Female Vocalist of the Year – Kelsea Ballerini
- New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year – Old Dominion
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Florida Georgia Line
- Video of the Year – Eric Church’s “Mr. Misunderstood”
Entertainer of the Year
” Jason Aldean
” Garth Brooks
” Luke Bryan
” Eric Church
” Miranda Lambert
Album of the Year
” I’m Comin’ Over Chris Young
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Label: RCA Records
” Montevallo Sam Hunt
Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville
” Mr. Misunderstood Eric Church
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville
” Tangled Up Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Chris DeStefano, Joe London
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
” Traveller Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records
Female Vocalist of the Year
” Kelsea Ballerini
” Jana Kramer
” Miranda Lambert
” Kacey Musgraves
” Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
” Jason Aldean
” Dierks Bentley
” Eric Church
” Brett Eldredge
” Chris Stapleton
Vocal Duo of the Year
” Brothers Osborne
” Dan + Shay
” Florida Georgia Line – WINNER
” Joey + Rory
” Maddie & Tae
Vocal Group of the Year
” Eli Young Band
” Little Big Town
” Old Dominion
” Rascal Flatts
” Zac Brown Band
Single Record of the Year
” “Burning House” Cam
Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Camaron Ochs
Record Labels: Arista Nashville, RCA Records, Kravenworks
” “Buy Me A Boat” Chris Janson
Producers: Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
” “Die A Happy Man” Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
” “Girl Crush” Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
” “I’m Comin’ Over” Chris Young
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Label: RCA Nashville
” “Take Your Time” Sam Hunt
Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville
Vocal Event of the Year
” “Hangover Tonight” Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton
Producers: Gary Allan, Greg Droman
Record Label: MCA Nashville
” “Home Alone Tonight” Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild
Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Nashville
” “Raise ‘Em Up” Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Nashville
” “Smokin’ and Drinkin’” Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town
Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville
” “Wild Child” Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter
Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville
New Male Vocalist of the Year
” Brett Eldredge
” Chris Janson
” Thomas Rhett
” Chase Rice
” Chris Stapleton Winner
New Female Vocalist of the Year
” Kelsea Ballerini Winner
” Cam
” Mickey Guyton
” RaeLynn
New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year
” A Thousand Horses
” Brothers Osborne
” Maddie & Tae
” Old Dominion Winner
” Parmalee
Video of the Year
” “Biscuits” Kacey Musgraves
Director: Mark Klasfeld
Producer: Nicole Acacio
” “Burning House” Cam
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: Trent Hardville
” “Girl Crush” Little Big Town
Directors: Karla Welch, Matthew Welch
Producer: Amanda Prunesti
” “Mr. Misunderstood” Eric Church – WINNER
Directors: Reid Long, John Peets
Producer: Megan Smith
” “Riser” Dierks Bentley
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Jennifer Rothlein
Song of the Year
” Burning House Cam
Songwriters: Jeffrey Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Cam
Publishers: Marvelous Oaks Records (ASCAP), Creative Pulse Music (BMI), One Year Yesterday Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC (BMI), These Are Pulse Songs (BMI), Way Above Music (BMI)
” Girl Crush Little Big Town
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
Publishers: HillarodyRathbone Music (ASCAP), Hoodie Songs (BMI), Songs of Crazy Girl Music (BMI), Songs of Universal Inc (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
” Nobody To Blame Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman
Publishers: House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Quackhead Music (BMI), RayLynn Publishing (BMI)
” Raise ‘Em Up Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
Songwriters: Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele
Publishers: Jeffrey Steele Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), TomDouglasMusic (BMI), Sony/ATV Harmony (ASCAP), Texa Rae Music (ASCAP)
” She Don’t Love You Eric Paslay
Songwriters: Eric Paslay, Jennifer Wayne
Publishers: Five Stone Publishing (ASCAP), Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP), Songwriters of Platinum Pen Publishing (BMI)
Songwriter of the Year
” Rodney Clawson
” Ross Copperman WINNER
” Ashley Gorley
” Shane McAnally
” Josh Osborne
Studio Awards
(already handed out)
- PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Dave Cobb
- BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Michael Rhodes
- DRUMMER OF THE YEAR: Shannon Forrest
- GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Derek Wells
- PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jim ‘Moose’ Brown
- SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Danny Rader
- STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Paul Franklin
- AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Justin Niebank
Brett
April 3, 2016 @ 8:52 am
I wouldn’t mind seeing Mr. Misunderstood bestowed some hardware in some category. I had been getting diminishing returns from the last two Eric Church studio albums, but I’ve really enjoyed this one and I think it’s built well for repeated listens.
Houston Erwin
April 3, 2016 @ 9:29 am
Florida Georgia Line won vocal duo already.
10-GEN-NC
April 3, 2016 @ 10:09 am
Was reading an article on the ticker above regarding the number / amount of country awards shows, best summary / description I read was in the comments:
“Yep, they’re cashing in and the country music establishment keeps on drinking its’ own bathwater. The fact is mainstream country is less than mediocre pop music being sold to the public with soft porn videos. And they all get together and pat each other on the back while counting the money. How much of this crap will people remember 20 years from now?”
albert
April 3, 2016 @ 9:46 am
No bro in song of the year ….no Blake , no Hunt , no Luke , no FLO Georgia, no Drunk on a plane shit …..I can pretty much live with the nominees in this category .
Hope Maddie and Tae get some love somewhere . Fitting to see Kacey in the running for voc of the year.
JC Eldredge
April 3, 2016 @ 9:50 am
Boo on most of the performers. I thought we were going to get to have a Blake free night.
Amanda
April 3, 2016 @ 9:59 am
I wish Kacey and Maddie & Tae would both perform.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
April 3, 2016 @ 10:04 am
I hope FGL doesn’t win, because they suck, but Maddie and Tae are a marketing scheme, and at least the FGL guys are authentic at face value.
Erik North
April 3, 2016 @ 11:32 am
It seems to me the reason that so many of those awards are being presented before the cameras even open on the show, and so few on the actual show itself, is to once again let the arena-rock spectacle that country music has been for at least the last twenty years rule the roost there in Lost Wages (sic). Probably worst of all is the fact that a good many of the performers are Bromeisters (or Metro-Bromeisters, as the case may be).
I also can’t go along with Kelsea Ballerini (Ms. Dibs) being given the New Female Vocal award. I didn’t think any female singer could sound as irritating as Taylor Swift does, but KB pulled it off with that hammy twang of hers on “Dibs”.
Scott S.
April 3, 2016 @ 11:56 am
While id rather pull my own teeth than watch this, couldn’t help but notice that the commercial advertising this show highlights Dolly with Katey Perry and Chris Stapleton. The announcer then says Jason Aldean and others will also appear. A definite shift in status for Aldean and others who would have been the main event not to long ago.
Studley Dudley
April 3, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
SO looking forward to this tonight. Love me some modern country music. It has the right amount of rock and rnb/edm. None of that twangy tear in my beer shit.
Remember kids – MODERN COUNTRY ROCKS! Looking forward to seeing my boys from Florida Georgia Line tonight on this shindig.
If Chris Stapleyourearsclosedwhenyoulistentohim wins any more awards I’m gonna be pissed. He and Isbell and Simpson SUCK. May bro-country and modern country live on forever.
I’ll be here all night kids for this liveblog. I love giving Trig shit for his endless bashing of these greats.
albert
April 3, 2016 @ 2:38 pm
I envy you Studley . Sometimes I wish I didn’t know better either .I hate that I love that mindless bro shit that my homies are always dissin . I shouldn’t have to feel inferior to my smarter , more clued -in and appreciative music -loving friends just cuz I happen to like gettin’ my guilty pleasure on with Sam and the other Sesame Street artists . I don’t know art but I know what I like even if I know I don’t like it . I hate that my guitar teacher showed me a minor chord when I was 9 . Ever since then I keep trying to use it . Not only that but I learned 4 other chords that I use all the time too . Also I think the term MODERN COUNTRY is perfect for all of this stuff cause….well it’s not country ….its MODERN COUNTRY . Its , like , MODERN ….right ? That’s what I learned from The Band formerly known as Perry . Let’s sit back and enjoy DRUNK ON A STAGE from Dierks and the other MODERN COUNTRY people .
Trigger
April 3, 2016 @ 2:44 pm
Studley’s a troll.
Studley Dudley
April 3, 2016 @ 2:51 pm
Aww shucks, thanks for the endearment Triggy. Love you too. 😉
Studley Dudley
April 3, 2016 @ 2:50 pm
A lot of people envy me Albert, it’s ok. It’s nothing new for me. I’ve come to be comfortable with it.
I think it’s good stuff, haters gonna hate and potaters gonna potate. Ces’t la vie. Tis what it tis.
Louis Knoebel
April 3, 2016 @ 3:27 pm
Eh, you’re not as good of a troll as Lil Dale.
Studley Dudley
April 3, 2016 @ 4:12 pm
I’ll beg to differ. I’m pretty damn good at just about everything I do.
After all, I am THE Studley Dudley. There’s only one.
Nice try though Louise.
Anthony
April 3, 2016 @ 1:49 pm
Can someone please tell me how Miranda Lambert can be justified as the Female Artist of The Year this year? Because if she wins again I am boycotting against that award. Its ridiculous.
albert
April 3, 2016 @ 2:42 pm
Any female who gets away from Blake deserves my vote as Female Artist Of The Year , Anthony . Just imagine that household ….she had to listen to him rehearse all those shitty shitty songs he’s been singing for years . Talk about sacrificing for your marriage .
Camie Jo
April 3, 2016 @ 9:53 pm
She did win. 😀 I expected another weepy, bleary teary eyed, totally depressing acceptance speech….and thanks for this award because the past year was so dreadful….but thankfully, she kept a smile on her face. ZZTop song. Meh. That was depressing.
I found the entire show to be pretty flat and a flop. The opening was a disaster. Luke was so nervous. The jokes were so yuck, I needed a bucket. I hope they do better next year. I compared notes with family living in several states…Kenny Chesney was off a beat, so lackluster. All in all, all of us were bored out of our minds.
Trigger
April 3, 2016 @ 9:59 pm
This was a very flat year for the ACM’s. Technical flubs, and just no energy. There was so much else going on tonight, I think not one single event was able to really capture the single consciousness. I thought my LIVE blog could have been better. But I just couldn’t feel the energy that surrounds an awards show like I normally do.
Camie Jo
April 3, 2016 @ 10:19 pm
I completely agree. I cannot remember another show that was this dull. The audience wasn’t into it either. It was hodge podge thrown together…weird confetti and I was afraid for Keith’s hair. The fire was leaning his direction. That was scary. Really. I loathe fire on small stages, reminds me of nightclubs gone wrong and people getting hurt.
It was as dead as a doornail out there.
ElectricOutcast
April 3, 2016 @ 2:17 pm
I’m not holding my breath for Garth to win ETOY but my fingers are crossed. If he doesn’t win, I would much rather see Eric Church win because he’s the more traditional new guy of the bunch. Yes me calling Eric Church traditional is a stretch but I just bought his newest album and thought it wasn’t really bad I thought that album channeled Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp quite well.
Houston Erwin
April 3, 2016 @ 2:33 pm
I just realized they are going up against the iheart radio awards tonight. I wonder if that has had anything to do with them presenting so many awards early so that they could stack the show with more performances.
Trigger
April 3, 2016 @ 2:39 pm
The iHeart awards will be a popcorn fart compared to this, though it will probably lure a few viewers away. Terrible timing for the iHeart people. This is the ACM’s designated slot on the calendar, but it will hurt them both. Also Wrestlemania and Walking Dead will eat into viewership. I expect all of these events to each each other alive, and everyone will suffer with poorer than expected ratings. Bad planning all around. ACM’s or iHeart should have moved to a Wednesday.
albert
April 3, 2016 @ 2:46 pm
‘Popcorn Fart’ is actually a perfect and appropriate name for any new band schilling ” MODERN COUNTRY ” for radio ears , Trigger . Popcorn Fart ……I’m liking that .
hoptowntiger94@gmail.com
April 3, 2016 @ 3:53 pm
Shameless season finale and Vinyl is what I’m watching tonight. I’ll keep an eye your live blog to see if I miss anything and YouTube it in the AM.
G
April 3, 2016 @ 3:58 pm
Trombone Shorty! Stumbled across him on Spotify – he’s good stuff. Let me know how it goes because I don’t think I can tune into these award shows anymore.
Vicki
April 3, 2016 @ 8:39 pm
I do not understand Katie Perry with Dolly. She could not keep up. Would have been so much better with just Dolly!
Camie Jo
April 3, 2016 @ 10:03 pm
It was flat as a flounder. The opening was a total flop. The jokes were so yuck, I needed a bucket.
I’m just glad Miranda didn’t stand up there all bleary-teary, weepy and depressing for her acceptance speech. Blake actually seemed more depressed this year. The entertainment was dull. Kenny Chesney seemed as bored as I was, so lackluster. The rubber band was winding down as his song went on.
I hope they do better next year. I was bored out of my mind for most of it. They messed up Joey’s tribute. Dolly’s was good because of Dolly.
All in all, meh. Sigh and alas, so dull.
Camie Jo
April 4, 2016 @ 11:31 am
Luke & Dierks combo, not a good pairing. All nerves and no comedic timing. That sleeker, good lookin’, tall drink of water does a better job of mesmerizing an audience.
😀