Grammy Nominations Bring A Nod

I’m usually one to shake my head and roll my eyes when awards nominations are announced. As the Grammy nominees were released today, I was actually raising my eyebrows, with a bit of a smile.

Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill… all on the list for Grammy nods. Did we turn the clock back 30 years? Nope. It’s a testament to the resilience and relevance of country artists of previous decades who focus more on good music and less on what’s going to be ‘a hit.’

Tanya was nominated for overall Song of the Year, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song with “Bring My Flowers Now” as well as Best Country Album for “While I’m Livin’.”

Tanya will be going head-to-head with Willie for Best Country Solo Performance, which includes Willie’s “Ride Me Back Home.”

Reba McEntire got a nod for Best Country Album with “Stronger Than The Truth.”

There’s no sign of slowing down for Dolly Parton, who has a nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for her collaboration with for King & Country on “God Only Knows.” She also has a second nomination, which is for Best Song Written For Visual Media, “Girl In The Movies” that Dolly wrote with Linda Perry for the movie, “Dumplin’.”

Rosanne and Vince will be going head-to-head for Best American Roots Song. Rosanne’s “Crossing To Jerusalem” co-written with her husband, John Leventhal, goes against Vince’s “I Don’t Wanna Ride The Rails No More.”

Looking at the list of nominations also reminded me of how the last two years have been huge for Brandi Carlile, not just as a singer, but also as a songwriter, producer, collaborator and an overall do-er. Brandi was a producer for Tanya Tucker’s album, “While I’m Living’” as well as co-songwriter for Song of the Year & Best Country Song nominee, Tanya’s “Bring My Flowers Now.” Brandi was also nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Maren Morris on Maren’s “Common.”

I also need to give a nod to recognition for Ashley McBryde, who was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.”

A few other ladies to be recognized for Grammy nominations include the Pistol Annies with Best Country Album for “Interstate Gospel” and Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna for some songwriting credits.

ACM Nominees

The 2012 Academy of Country Music awards will be presented on Sunday, April 1st. The list of nominees was released today.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Chris Young

Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year
Love and Theft
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square

New Artist of the Year (To Be Announced Jan. 30)

Album of the Year
(Award to Artist/Producer/Record Company)
Chief — Eric Church (EMI Nashville) [Producer: Jay Joyce, Arturo Bunahora, Jr.]
Four the Record — Miranda Lambert (RCA) [Producer: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell]
Hemingway’s Whiskey — Kenny Chesney (BNA) [Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney)
My Kinda Party — Jason Aldean (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]
Own The Night — Lady Antebellum (Capitol Nashville) [Producer: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley]

Song of the Year
(Award to Composer/Publisher/Artist)
“Crazy Girl” — Eli Young Band (Composers: Liz Rose, Lee Brice) [Publishers: Cake Taker Music (BMI), Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Sweet Hysteria Music (BMI)]
“Home” — Dierks Bentley (Composers: Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley, Dan Wilson) [Publishers: Big White Tracks (ASCAP), Chestnut Barn Music (BMI), Chrysalis Music/BMG Rights (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Songs (BMI)]
“Just A Kiss” — Lady Antebellum (Composers: Dallas Davidson, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott) [Publishers: Dwhaywood Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), EMI Foray Music (SESAC), Hillary Dawn Songs (SESAC), Radiobulletspublishing (BMI), String Stretcher Music (BMI) Warner-Tamberlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)]
“Threaten Me With Heaven” — Vince Gill (Composers: Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian, Will Owsley) [Publishers: Grant Girls Music (ASCAP), Vinny Mae Music (BMI), Willie-O Music (ASCAP)]
“You and Tequila” — Kenny Chesney (Composers: Matraca Berg, Deana Carter) [Publishers: Deanaling Music (ASCAP), Hannaberg Music (BMI), Songs of Universal Inc., (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)]

Single Record of the Year
(Award to Artist/Producer/Record Company)
“Crazy Girl” — Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville) [Producer: Mike Wrucke]
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” — Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]
“Red Solo Cup” — Toby Keith (Show Dog-Universal) [Producer: Toby Keith]
“Tomorrow” — Chris Young (RCA) [Producer: James Stroud]
“You and Tequila” — Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter (BNA) [Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney]

Vocal Event of the Year
(Award to Artist/Producer/Record Company)
“Country Boy” — Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels (R&J Records) [Producer: Aaron Lewis, James Stroud]
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” — Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]
“Old Alabama” — Brad Paisley feat. Alabama (Arista) [Producer: Frank Rogers]
“Remind Me” — Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood (Arista) [Producer: Frank Rogers]
“You and Tequila” — Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter (BNA) [Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney]

Video of the Year
(Award to Producer/Director/Artist)
“Tattoos On This Town” — Jason Aldean [Producer: John Burke; Director: Wes Edwards]
“Homeboy” — Eric Church [Producer: Brandon Arolfo; Director: Peter Zavadil]
“Red Solo Cup” — Toby Keith [Producer: Mark Kalbfeld; Director: Michael Salomon]
“Just a Kiss” — Lady Antebellum [Producer: Don Lepore; Director: Shaun Silva]
“Mean” — Taylor Swift [Producer: Oualid Mouaness; Director: Declan Whitebloom]

Songwriter of the Year
Rhett Akins
Dallas Davidson
Ben Hayslip
Luke Laird
David Lee Murphy

Promoter of the Year
Ben Ferrell ‐ Varnell Enterprises, Inc.
Brad Garrett ‐ Police Productions
Brian O’Connell ‐ Live Nation
Glenn Smith ‐ Glenn & Linda Present
Ed Warm ‐ Joe’s Bar

Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
Ethan Hirsch ‐ Wilson Events
Jimmy Jay ‐ Jayson Promotions, Inc.
R.J. Kaltenbach ‐ Klein’s Attractions
Gary Osier ‐ Gary Osier Presents
Huston Powell ‐ C3 Presents

Venue of the Year
BOK Center ‐ Tulsa, OK
Bridgestone Arena ‐ Nashville, TN
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre ‐ Chicago, IL
Jiffy Lube Live ‐ Bristow, VA
Sprint Center ‐ Kansas City, MO

Nightclub of the Year
Billy Bob’s Texas ‐ Ft. Worth, TX
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace ‐ Bakersfield, CA
Grizzly Rose ‐ Denver, CO
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill ‐ Minneapolis, MN
Wormy Dog ‐ Oklahoma City, OK

Casino of the Year
Agua Caliente Casino ‐ Rancho Mirage, CA
IP Casino ‐ Biloxi, MS
Island Resort Casino ‐ Harris, MI
Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino ‐ Las Vegas, NV
WinStar World Casino ‐ Thackerville, OK

Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year
Eric Darken
Aubrey Haynie
Ilya Toshinsky
John Willis
Jonathan Yudkin

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Tony Harrell
John Hobbs
John Jarvis
Charlie Judge
Michael Rojas

Fiddle Player of the Year
Glen Duncan
Stuart Duncan
Larry Franklin
Joe Spivey
Jonathan Yudkin

Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Paul Franklin
Mike Johnson
Greg Leisz
Russ Pahl
Scotty Sanders

Guitarist of the Year
J.T. Corenflos
Kenny Greenberg
Jay Joyce
Brent Mason
Adam Shoenfeld

Percussionist/Drummer of the Year
Matt Chamberlain
Chad Cromwell
Shannon Forrest
Chris McHugh
Greg Morrow

Bass Player of the Year
Mike Brignardello
Kevin “Swine” Grantt
Mark Hill
Michael Rhodes
Jimmy Lee Sloas

Audio Engineer of the Year
Jeff Balding
Derek Bason
John Kelton
Mills Logan
Justin Niebank

Producer of the Year
Mark Bright
Buddy Cannon
Nathan Chapman
Jay Joyce
Frank Liddell


For more information about the ACM awards, visit their website: ACMCountry.com

Americana Music Association announces Lifetime Achievement Honorees

Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Jerry Douglas, Rick Hall, and Bob Harris will be honored by the Americana Music Association with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the AMA’s Honors & Awards show Thursday, October 13th, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Singer-Songwriter Lucinda Williams receives the Lifetime Achievement for Songwriter honor. She continues to influence countless others with her roots-grounded sound.

Gregg Allman receives the Achievement for Performer. He has captivated audiences since his early days with The Allman Brothers Band, and continues to lead the charge of genre-melding Southern-bred rockers.

Master of the dobro, Jerry Douglas receives the Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist. Douglas is equally revered for his solo work, session playing, and as a longtime member of Alison Krauss and Union Station.

Rick Hall will receive the Lifetime Achievement for Executive award. Hall earns the honor with his groundbreaking production work at FAME Studios, recording Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Etta James, The Osmonds, and Bobbie Gentry.

Bob Harris is a celebrated radio host and journalist. He will receive the Trailblazer Award.

The Honors & Awards is the main event of the Americana Music Association’s Festival and Conference, running October 12-15 in Nashville. Jim Lauderdale will again serve as master of ceremonies for the Honors & Awards, while Buddy Miller will lead an all-star house band. Among the other artists attending are Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Hayes Carll, The Civil Wars, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Secret Sisters, and more to be announced.

A limited number of awards show tickets, $35 and $65, are available through the Ryman Box Office or ryman.com.

ASCAP to honor Don Williams

Country music star Don Williams will be honored with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award during its 49th Annual Country Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 6th, at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland. The event will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed country songs from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011, and present awards for Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.

The Golden Note Award is bestowed upon songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones.

Don Williams is a recording artist & songwriter who has enjoyed 45 Top Ten hits and 17 No. 1 singles. Williams’ began his career as a member of the mid-1960’s folk-pop trio, the Pozo-Seco Singers. His self-penned hits include The Shelter of Your Eyes, Lay Down Beside Me, Love Me Over Again, and his collaboration with Wayland Holyfield, Till the Rivers All Run Dry. Despite a well-known aversion to the spotlight, Williams has risen to international fame. Williams was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

ACM Nominees to perform

The 46th Academy of County Music Awards will be handed out on Sunday, April 3rd, live on CBS TV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

All of the ACM Entertainer of the Year nominees - Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban - will be performing during the event.

For the third consecutive year, the winner will be fan voted. Voting begins March 11 at www.voteACM.com and will conclude during the third hour of the live broadcast.

Producer T-Bone Burnett to be honored

Producer T Bone Burnett will receive a salute from the Producers & Engineers Wing of The Recording Academy during Grammy Week. The special event is titled "Shaken Rattled & Rolled", and is part of the 10th Anniversary celebration of the P&E Wing. Grammy winners Elton John and Leon Russell will serve as honorary co-chairs of the gala, which will be held Wednesday, February 9 at The Village Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Elton & Leon's duet album, "The Union" was produced by Burnett.

Americana to be recognized at the Grammys

I was pleased to see the news that the Grammys will be adding an "American Roots Music" category to their awards show.

The category is: FIELD 13
American Roots Music Category -
. Americana Album
. Bluegrass Album
. Traditional Blues Album
. Contemporary Blues Album
. Traditional Folk Album
. Contemporary Folk Album
. Hawaiian Music Album
. Native American Music Album
. Zydeco or Cajun Music Album