50th Annual ACM Awards Complete Preview
(Tune in Sunday night for Saving Country Music’s LIVE Blog of the ACM Awards)
The 50th ANNUAL ACM AWARDS
” When: 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern Sunday, April 19th, 2015 on CBS. Runs 30 minutes extra because of 50th Anniversary show.
” Where: Cowboys (AT&T) Stadium, Arlington, TX.
” Hosts: Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Watch Those Lips. Lip-syncing may be one of the biggest stories coming out of the 50th ACM Awards. Garth Brooks has already said that if his voice is not up to snuff, he will lip sync, though he said on Saturday his voice was feeling okay. Rascal Flatts embarrassed themselves last year by so clearly lip-syncing, they had to admit to it in the aftermath. Meanwhile the executive producer of the ACM Awards RAC Clark says that “plenty of people” have lip-synced on the ACM Awards over the years. With the extra-daunting environs of Jerry World in Dallas, we’ll have to see who else may call an audible and decide to roll with a pre-recorded track.
Sorry Traditional/Classic Country Fans. Believe it or not, the last few rounds of the ACM and CMA Awards have seen more hat tips to traditional country than one might expect. But for the ACM’s 50th, it looks like those will be few and far between. When you’re touting Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney as “legends” who will be honored, you know how bad it is. About the only things to look forward to is a rumored “Merle Haggard Tribute” during the very beginning to be performed by Eric Church and Keith Urban, but don’t expect much more than a 60 to 90-second medley of hits. There will also be performances by George Strait and Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam presenting an award, and Garth Brooks playing an old guitar owned by Buck Owens (as he possibly lip syncs). It’s a blue telecaster that was given to him by Buck at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield on the day he proposed to Trisha Yearwood in 2005.
Sorry Fans of Female Performers. 15 male acts, and only 4 female acts will make the telecast, including pop performer Christina Aguilera. Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum also have female members, but that is little consolation. So many great female performers could use that opportunity for a boost, but instead the ACM’s are going to B-level male talent like Thomas Rhett and Dan + Shay—the most hard sold act by the country industry in history, hence the Nick Jonas collaboration they are scheduled for. Females were also hampered by the fact that Carrie Underwood still doesn’t feel like she’s in fighting shape after the birth of her son, and will not even be in the audience.
A Light Show to Make Pop Jealous. Glowing wristbands will be handed out to tens of thousands of attendees that will be equipped with batteries and wifi so they will change colors and spell out certain things in the audience at certain times of the presentation. The ACM’s also draped a special tarp over the dome of Cowboys Stadium so that their light show would not be affected by the semi-translucent top. Expect all the bells and whistles to be employed.
Taylor Swift was conned into appearing by being given a Milestone Award so the ACM’s would have additional viewer bait. She’s not scheduled to perform or even present, but let’s see how much the camera favors her (and her awkward dancing).
THE PRESENTERS
Artist presenters include: Clint Black, Lee Brice, Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Brantley Gilbert, Mickey Guyton, Hunter Hayes, Justin Moore, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Dwight Yoakam, Alabama, and Big & Rich.
Non-artist presenters include: Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O’Dell, actresses Sofia Vergara, Beth Behrs, and Reese Witherspoon, former Dallas Cowboy Troy Aikman, current Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten and Tony Romo, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, Chris Kyle wife and widow Taya Kyle, and Dr. Phil McGraw.
THE PERFORMERS
” Eric Church and Keith Urban will open the show with a “dual performance,” possibly including the song “Raise ‘Em Up,” AND potentially a “tribute” to Merle Haggard.
” Rascal Flatts will perform with Christina Aguilera, beginning with the song “Shotgun,” and then transitioning to “Riot.”
” Nick Jonas of the Disney Channel’s Jonas Brothers will be performing with The Jonas Brothers of country, Dan + Shay. Rumors have the pairing only playing the Nick Jonas songs “Jealous” and “Chains.”
” Garth Brooks will perform a “surprise” song, but he’s already said there’s a possibility he will lip sync it.
” Miranda Lambert will perform two songs (likely to make up for a lack of other female performers). She will sing both her current single “Little Red Wagon” and “Mama’s Broken Heart.”
” Martina McBride will sing her hit from 1994, “Independence Day.” It may be the oldest country song we hear all night.
” Brad Paisley will sing “Crushin’ It.” Brad also says he’s been trying to convince George Strait to join him for the performance.
” Brooks & Dunn will do their first televised performance together since 2010.
” Lady Antebellum will sing “Long Stretch of Love.”
” Reba McEntire will be performing “Going Out Like That.”
” New Artist of the Year nominees Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, and Sam Hunt, will all perform.
” Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, and Little Big Town (likely “Girl Crush”) will all perform.
AWARD NOMINEES
***Read Saving Country Music’s Picks & Prognostications
Entertainer of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Garth Brooks
- Luke Bryan
- Miranda Lambert
- Florida Georgia Line
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Brandy Clark
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- Kacey Musgraves
- Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Also note, this category has been stretched to six because male country artists are so top heavy, while the ACM’s continue to struggle finding five women to fill the female slots.
- Jason Aldean
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Bryan
- Eric Church
- Brad Paisley
- Blake Shelton
Album of the Year
- Old Boots, New Dirt by Jason Aldean
- Pain Killer by Little Big Town
- Platinum by Miranda Lambert
- The Outsiders by Eric Church
- Riser by Dierks Bentley
Song of the Year
- “American Kids” (Rodney Clawson / Luke Laird / Shane McAnally, performed by Kenny Chesney)
- “Automatic” (Nicolle Galyon / Natalie Hemby / Miranda Lambert, performed by Miranda Lambert)
- “Drink A Beer” (Jim Beavers / Chris Stapleton, performed by Luke Bryan)
- “Follow Your Arrow” (Brandy Clark / Shane McAnally / Kacey Musgraves, performed by Kacey Musgraves)
- “Give Me Back My Hometown” (Eric Church / Luke Laird, performed by Eric Church)
- “I Hold On” (Dierks Bentley / Brett James, performed by Dierks Bentley)
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan+Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
The Swon Brothers
Vocal Group of the Year
- Little Big Town
- Lady Antebellum
- Rascal Flatts
- The Band Perry
- Zac Brown band
Single Record of the Year
- “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney
- “Automatic” by Miranda Lambert
- “Dirt” by Florida Georgia Line
- “Drunk On A Plane” by Dierks Bentley
- “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice
Vocal Event of the Year
- “Somethin’ Bad” (Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood“
- “Lonely Tonight” (Blake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe)
- “This Is How We Roll” (Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan)
- “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” (Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill)
- “The South” (The Cadillac Three featuring Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, & Mike Eli)
New Artist of the Year (finalists)
- Sam Hunt
- Thomas Rhett
- Cole Swindell
Video of the Year
- “Drunk On A Plane” by Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards, produced by Clarke Gallivan
- “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney, directed by Shaun Silva and produced by Don Lepore
- “Cop Car” by Keith Urban, director by John Urbano, produced by Michelle Abnet
- “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” by Glen Campbell, directed by James Keach and produced by Julian Raymond
- “Somethin’ Bad” by Miranda Lambert duet with Carrie Underwood, directed by Trey Fanjoy and produced by Trent Hardville.
Songwriter of the Year
- Rodney Clawson
- Ashley Gorley
- Luke Laird
- Josh Osborne
- Chris Tompkins
Off Camera Awards
Small Capacity Casino of the Year: Hard Rock Live Biloxi, Miss.
Medium Capacity Casino of the Year: MGM Grand Casino Las Vegas, Nev.
Festival of the Year: Country Thunder USA: East Twin Lakes, Wis.
Nightclub of the Year: Joe’s Bar Chicago, Ill.
Small Capacity Venue of the Year: Ryman Auditorium Nashville, Tenn.
Medium Capacity Venue of the Year: Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, Colo.
Large Capacity Venue of the Year: Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, Calif.
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year : Sally Williams Ryman Auditorium
Promoter of the Year: Ed Warm Joe’s Live
Bass Player of the Year: Glenn Worf
Drummer of the Year: Greg Morrow
Guitar Player of the Year: Tom Bukovac
Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year: Michael Rojas
Specialty Instruments(s) Player of the Year: Ilya Toshinsky
Steel Guitar Player of the Year: Dan Dugmore
Audio Engineer of the Year: Chuck Ainlay
Producer of the Year: Jay Joyce
Songwriter of the Year: Luke Laird
Andrew
April 19, 2015 @ 11:03 am
I just don’t see why anyone would think lip synching during an award show is a big deal. It’s a TV show, not a concert. And at least then the sound might be halfway decent for one song.
Liza
April 19, 2015 @ 11:43 am
I think it’s a silly thing to do – stand in front of millions and move your lips to a song in the background. You can’t say it and have it sound reasonable. It simply is not entertainment. I think you cancel and have someone else perform. Maybe he’s EOTY and they feel they have no choice,
hoptowntiger
April 19, 2015 @ 11:55 am
I wonder how much of that he does at his concerts? He can’t sing one song tonight a couple nights after a concert, but he can do six shows in four nights (like he recently did in PGH)?
Liza
April 19, 2015 @ 12:16 pm
My guess is not much at all – probably never.
Michael
April 19, 2015 @ 11:10 am
If the Cowboys didn’t make the playoffs last year i would make a joke about how this awards show sucks as bad as the team that normally plays there.
Still trying to figure out why they are there.
Trigger
April 19, 2015 @ 11:24 am
Because it is the biggest “indoor” venue in America. It is America’s version of The Colosseum at the moment.
Will James
April 19, 2015 @ 11:12 am
So… anything on TV tonight?
Windmills Country
April 19, 2015 @ 11:13 am
Not sure I would assume this is the reason. I think it’s more likely that Carrie didn’t want to make her 6 or 7 week old son deal with a trip to Dallas, and that this combined with the fact that her husband’s NHL team is currently playing a playoff series (with a game tonight) made her choose to sit this year’s ACMs out. It is definitely a major loss for the female presence though that she won’t be performing.
Another loss for the female presence: Texan Kacey Musgraves is not performing. I don’t know why she couldn’t have been included but then again, the ACMs didn’t exactly make her a priority last year either. Maybe they think the broadcast only has room for 1 woman for Texas. *sigh*
According to this tweet, Miranda is performing a mashup of “Little Red Wagon” and “Mama’s Broken Heart.” Doesn’t sound like 2 separate performances (though it’s always possible she’ll get another one, just because).
Little Big Town will perform “Girl Crush” with a special guest whose name is being kept secret.
Luke Bryan will perform his most recent #1, “I See You,” per The Tennessean.
Also interesting: Zac Brown Band is not performing despite having 1 of the year’s biggest hits in “Homegrown” and being set to release an album in less than 2 weeks. Pretty sure this is by their choice, because Zac Brown was in Cleveland last night performing at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony. The band’s been vocal about not being part of the vote-trading & whatnot that goes on at the ACMs/CMAs.
Also not performing tonight: Tim McGraw.
*hugs Edit function*
Trigger
April 19, 2015 @ 11:29 am
I think the story was last year that the ACM’s wouldn’t give Kacey Musgraves enough time to perform a full song, so she baulked. If that is the case this year again, I don’t blame her.
A lot of folks have tried to play up the lack of a Texas connection with the presentation, but as a Texan (and someone born and raised in the Dallas area), I didn’t expect this whatsoever. The fact that’s it’s in Texas has more to do with AT&T Stadium than anything. I never thought this would be a “Texas” event in theme or in the performers. The ACM’s want the focus to be on their 50th Anniversary, not where the event happens to be located, Dallas Cowboys presenters as payoff to Jerry Jones notwithstanding.
Liza
April 19, 2015 @ 11:50 am
Tim McGraw’s wife is in an independent film, Dixieland (with Elvis Presley’s granddaughter), that is premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival tonight. Tim will probably be in New York with her.
hoptowntiger
April 19, 2015 @ 11:18 am
Terrible TV night for this to be airing! Any other night, I might tune in for a little to see George, Alan or Reba, but my Sunday night Dance Card is full – Game of Thrones, the last episodes of Mad Men, Veep, Silicon Valley, and the final season of Nurse Jackie. Whatever happened to Wednesday night’s?
I’ll just check SCM in the A.M. with my coffee and YouTube anything deemed newsworthy.
JC Eldredge
April 19, 2015 @ 11:34 am
Wow the new comment section is fancy! Looks great!
Actually, I just noticed that the whole setup looks different. More mobile friendly. Love it!
hoptowntiger
April 19, 2015 @ 11:36 am
Also, what in the world is Aguilera doing? Is she the new Kelly Clarkson or Sheryl Crow? It’s not cross marketing for The Voice (NBC). She also has a reacurring character on Nashville (ABC). She is pandering to the country market for some reason.
Trigger
April 19, 2015 @ 12:30 pm
Yes, the primary focus of the redesign was to make the site more accessible on mobile devices and tablets, and to make navigation easier. Still one or two kinks to work out but so far it’s going very well.
Adrian
April 19, 2015 @ 11:37 am
The choice of McBride’s “Independence Day” from 20+ years ago is interesting. It suggests that Nashville is trying to bring back the middle aged moms that bro country drove away.
Hawkeye
April 19, 2015 @ 11:39 am
This is completely off topic
I don’t know if its just on my iPhone but Trigg I love what you have done to the site
It’s so freaking awesome
Brad
April 19, 2015 @ 12:01 pm
Sturgill’s Coachella set will be on axstv at 9 eastern if you would prefer to see some country music tonight.
hoptowntiger
April 19, 2015 @ 12:13 pm
I streamed that live last Sunday from my phone on my back porch sipping Bulleit Bourbon. I actually streamed a lot of Coachella last weekend. Amazing the times we are living in – no traffic, long lines for the restrooms or overpriced beverages, no drunk tank! The sound quality was great and the sight lines better than being there! I can’t see the value of ever going, if streaming is an option.
Mike W.
April 19, 2015 @ 12:25 pm
I might check in on it a few times, but to be honest I am so bored/disinterested in mainstream Country music I will probably pass and watch the playoffs or HBO.
A few years ago I would have maybe “hate watched” the show, just to laugh at all the stupid stunts and desperate pleas for mainstream pop acceptance by anyone not named George Strait, but now I am so bored with the whole Bro-Country/Metropolitan Country movements that I’ll just pass and wait for Tuesday when John Moreland and Randy Rogers/Wade Bowen release their albums to care about Country music.
Eduardo Vargas
April 19, 2015 @ 12:31 pm
For New Artist of the year, as the saying goes- let the Devil come in and choose
Mike W.
April 19, 2015 @ 12:40 pm
Out of the group, Brett Eldredge would probably be the least embarrassing to win. I’m not a big fan of his, but at least he hasn’t recorded anything embarrassingly bad like a lot of the other’s on that list have. Generic songs? Yes, Eldredge definitely has those, but nothing terrible really. Wish Eric Paslay had earned a nomination.
Houston Erwin
April 19, 2015 @ 12:47 pm
He isn’t in the run anymore. It’s between Sam Hunt, Cole Swindell, and Thomas Rhett. The worst of the whole bunch.
Mike W.
April 19, 2015 @ 12:52 pm
Wow…yeah nobody wins in that group. Maybe I would go with Cole Swindell, just because out of the three of them, I think he has the best chance at essentially dropping off the face of the earth once his star starts to fade. Something tells me that Hunt and Rhett are (sadly) here to stay, whereas I think with Swindell it’s just a matter of how soon radio programmers stop doing Luke Bryan a favor by playing him.
Houston Erwin
April 19, 2015 @ 12:58 pm
Idk I feel like of the three, Cole Swindell is the absolute worst. Every single he has put out has been terrible. And he wrote the worst song Thomas Rhett put out, Get Me Some of That. He can’t sing and he is not good looking yet girls fawn over him. I think of the three, he is going to stick around the longest.
NPC
April 19, 2015 @ 12:42 pm
This has to be the worst year for Entertainer of the Year nominees. Also, eight new artist nominees (all male) is crazy – six of them are basically the same person in different skinny jeans. The most “country” category this year is Vocal Group of the Year, and that is only by a slim margin.
Sam Jimenez
April 19, 2015 @ 1:18 pm
Wow. Not a single person in that whole damn list I could give 1/2 a shit about except for Brandy Clark. And even then – seriously? Best vocalist? She can sing fine, but not best vocalist level. And I can think of 100 better songs to award her for than that crappy arrow song. Particularly, anything else she’s written…
P.S. Site looks great Trig!
Eric
April 19, 2015 @ 1:28 pm
Brandy Clark co-wrote, but did not sing “Follow Your Arrow”. Here’s an example of a song on her album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PiVQmHtxzk
In my opinion, she truly deserves Female Vocalist. She has a rich, emotional yet soothing voice that harkens back to the greatest traditions of country music.
Sam Jimenez
April 19, 2015 @ 2:38 pm
I’m aware of that, and know all of HER material. She’s up for her writing on Follow Your Arrow, as well as up for Best Female Vocalist. She’s one of my favorite female artists, I’ve listened to 12 Stories a hundred times. Many of my favorite artists aren’t people who I consider to have the best voices in the world. I don’t consider her voice to be great, but I love how she uses it.
…just one asshole’s opinion, of course…
Albert
April 19, 2015 @ 1:45 pm
Leonard Cohen won male vocalist of the year up here in the Great White North one year . Leonard’s legendary response was ( paraphrasing ) ” Male vocalist of the year ? me ? …Only in Canada could this be ” .
Brandy sounds like a good option ..I agree with Eric …LOVELY voice that serves the song ..NOT herself .-
Albert
April 19, 2015 @ 1:39 pm
Nice to see the SONG OF THE YEAR category honoring actual songs and not bro-crap .
Strait Country 81
April 19, 2015 @ 1:43 pm
It looks like i’m gonna be pulling for Eric Church tonight.
Only watching to see Strait/Alan and the Haggard tribute.
LBT’s Karen Fairchild probably gonna have a Brit/Madonna moment with whoever joining them.
Jim McGuinness
April 19, 2015 @ 2:05 pm
Seems like must-miss TV. Dwight Yoakam will present the award for New Artist of the Year. I hope he can keep a straight face.
Seriously, why would any self-respecting music fan watch this when they could be listening to records instead?
Houston Erwin
April 19, 2015 @ 2:28 pm
That’s weird I thought Justin Moore was presenting it.
Rosalie
April 19, 2015 @ 2:26 pm
Last year I counted a total of 9 acts that included female performers (including when Lady Antebellum sang back up for Darius Rucker). There was 1 solo female. This year is actually a step-up in terms of female performances (THREE solo females! What a hoot and a half!)
pete marshall
April 19, 2015 @ 3:31 pm
What should I watch tonight? ACM or something else? I will read Triggers website tonight.
Ryan
April 19, 2015 @ 3:42 pm
“Shotgun” is a song cowritten by roots/Americana artists Sean McConnell and Audra Mae. One minor detail I’m sure wasn’t lost on Trigger but not mentioned.
CountryKnight
April 19, 2015 @ 3:49 pm
I wish country music had the self-esteem to not invite all of these non-country celebrities.
Six String Richie
April 19, 2015 @ 4:16 pm
Just a heads up, Blake Shelton said publicly that Miranda Lambert deserves to win Entertainer of the Year, calling it “Just freakin’ the right call.” He also brought up the lack of females in country and used that as a reason she deserves to win.
Miranda’s had a weak year in my opinion so I don’t think this is her year. Garth has sold way more tickets than her. Garth should win.
Kale
April 19, 2015 @ 4:18 pm
“Crushin’ It” is one the dumbest songs ever, why would Brad Paisley think George Strait would embarrass himself in such a way?
Frank the tank
April 19, 2015 @ 4:29 pm
Agreed. I’d never heard it before but I just listened to it now (well, half of it).
Jen
April 19, 2015 @ 6:37 pm
Watched five minutes. FGL was performing;). Sound horrible in that huge place. Turned it off.
Watched at British movie. So much more tolerable.
Like the format, much more user friendly for IPad.