ACM Officials Reconsider Criteria For Album of the Year
- When the nominations for the ACM Awards were announced on Wednesday, several readers keenly noted that the album of the year nominees were missing from the list. It was reported that those nominations would be announced in March after a re-vote. Country Universe has the reasoning behind the re-vote via Peter Cooper’s article in The Tennessean:
The album of the year nominees are … as yet unannounced. That’s because the Academy re-thought its prerequisite that album contenders sell at least 300,000 copies. Several of last year’s most acclaimed country albums, including Jamey Johnson’s That Lonesome Song, did not meet the sales requirement, and ACM officials held a board meeting, waved the prerequisite and mandated a re-vote.
Romeo said it became clear during the voting process that the sales requirement in the album category had become antiquated due to changes in the way people consume music. The ACM normally uses an initial vote to take the field of album nominees down to 20, from which five finalists will be chosen. But only nine albums this year survived the 300,000 minimum.
- Submit your ballot for the 2009 ACM Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist, and Top New Vocal Group or Duo.
- For her newest album, Martina McBride switched producers to help her find a different and fresh perspective on her music. She felt that producer was Dann Huff, who has produced albums for Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and most recently, Pat Green. McBride’s new album, scheduled for a March 24 release, is titled Shine.
- BMI threw a No. 1 party this week for Jim Collins and Marty Dodson, the writing duo behind the reggae-infused Kenny Chesney hit “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven.”
- The video for Carrie Underwood‘s cover of “I Told You So” is the live footage from the night she was inducted to the Grand Ole Opry by the song’s original singer and writer, Randy Travis.
- For fans of western swing, The Austin Chronicle‘s Jim Caligiuri’s says the 10-CD Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys box set, titled The Tiffany Transcriptions, is the Holy Grail. Five stars.
- Miss Leslie (MySpace) is headed into the studio to record the follow-up to Between the Whiskey and the Wine, and My Kind of Country posted a YouTube video of one of the 23 original songs under consideration for the new album.
- Kenny Chesney was country music’s top moneymaker in 2008 according to Billboard, but landed at number six on the list of all-genres. He was followed by Rascal Flatts at number eight and Taylor Swift at 16 as the only other country-labeled acts to make the top 20. It’s interesting to note that Swift didn’t receive credit for touring income generated while opening for Brad Paisley, yet still made the list.
- Chris Kubik was the winner of the album cover design contest held by Rascal Flatts for their new album, Unstoppable. (via ggcolumn)
- Keep your ears open for Joey + Rory‘s new single, “Free Bird.” (via press release)
- Pam Tillis has numerous fans, but this guy dwarfs them all.
- In the latest edition of “20 Questions” on Galleywinter, Cross Canadian Ragweed‘s Cody Canada says the band knows what they stand for, and they stand for it.
- Preview Jake Owens‘ new album, Easy Does It, before it’s February 24 release. (via Country Music Is Love)
- The Buffalo News‘ Jeff Miers reviewed an acoustic song swap presented by WYRK-FM on Wednesday evening with Jack Ingram, Randy Houser and Jason Michael Carroll.
Houser had the firmest grip on country’s blues elements, and he put them to good use in the steamy barrelhouse bit “My Kind of Country,” an ode to Waylon, Willie and the almighty first-position open G chord. After the applause died down, Ingram appeared blown away.
“Damn, dude,” he quipped. “That was really, really good. I’m used to followin’ folks who have 10 No. 1 singles, but now, I gotta’ follow actual talent.”
In fact, he followed it well, with a brand-new song, “Seeing Stars,” an emotive ballad that suggested Ingram is not unfamiliar with the low-burning but quite-lambent flame of Townes Van Zandt’s writing.
- Doug Freeman captures the easy-going personality of Ben Kweller and his transition from New York to Austin in his profile of the singer-songwriter for The Austin Chronicle.
- Country Universe reader Erik North counted down his top 25 favorite songs from the genre-bending Linda Ronstadt.
- In an effort to help country fans on their musical pilgrimages, the Mississippi state Senate unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday to create markers where famous country music singers were born or where significant events took place.
- Listen to Kathy Mattea perform several selections from her critically lauded album of coal-themed songs on Mountain Stage.
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Ben Kweller // Bob Wills // Brad Paisley // Carrie Underwood // Cody Canada // Cross Canadian Ragweed // Dann Huff // Grand Ole Opry // Jack Ingram // Jake Owen // Jamey Johnson // Jason Michael Carroll // Jim Collins // Joey + Rory // Kathy Mattea // Keith Urban // Kenny Chesney // Linda Ronstadt // Martina McBride // Marty Dodson // Miss Leslie // Pam Tillis // Pat Green // Randy Houser // Randy Travis // Rascal Flatts // Taylor Swift // Townes Van Zandt // Western Swing
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February 13, 2009 at 11:38 am
With Dann Huff at the controls of the next Martina album, we can expect the further watering down of Martina’s music.
February 13, 2009 at 11:45 am
I don’t know how I feel about the fan-voting in even more ACM categories this year …
Thanks for the link to the Miss Leslie video. She is one of the most gracious, humble, and most intelligent people I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with. And I can’t wait for her next album.
Also, I really liked the Pam Tillis blog piece. My 2 year-old niece already recognizes Reba on TV (whether it’s her TV show or a music video), but she still prefers the Doodlebops.
February 13, 2009 at 11:58 am
I love Joey + Rory, but I wish they had gone with something other than “freebird” for the new single. The main reason is that the album is full of great songs that are more representative of them that they actually wrote themseleves…following a song that seemingly had the gimmick of using “ho” in the lyrics with a cover song that is widely mocked as a concert-joke is a bit odd to me…
February 13, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I would’ve went with “Loved the Hell” if I was them
February 13, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I tend not to agree with Kelly about things here at the 9513, but I do concur that “Freebird” is not my idea of a good follow-up single to “Cheater Cheater”. When I copied “The Life of a Song” to a CD-R I can play in my car and not worry about it getting trashed, I left “Freebird” off entirely. It is the only song on the album I don’t care for. They must be hoping the novelty factor of a mellow acoustic version of a southern rock iconic song will garner radio airplay. We’ll see.
I hope the ACM fan votes are limited to one vote per person, although that still won’t stop the Jumianne Hough “Dancing With The Stars” faithful from voting in droves.
Kathy Mattea will be on the Saturday Night Grand Ole Opry shows and is hosting the Ernest Tubb Record Shop Midnite Jamboree afterwards as well.
I’m glad Miss Leslie is now firmly on The 9513′s radar. She deserves to be much more widely known among fans of quality “roots country” music.
February 13, 2009 at 12:15 pm
That was the winning album cover for Rascal Flatts? Ummm… it’s not a very flattering picture of them.
I’m a little nervous to hear the new Martina album. I hope it’s good… but I’m starting to have my doubts that it will be.
I still can’t stand “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven”. Maybe after a few years I won’t have to change the station when it comes on.
The new Carrie Underwood video: BORING.
I always wondered why CCR was never more famous. I liked “Sick and Tired” and “Boys From Oklahoma”
and finally…
I love Pam Tillis! I wish her hitmaking days had lasted longer. “The River and the Highway” is still one of my favorites.
February 13, 2009 at 12:23 pm
The choice of Freebird is a head scratcher. To begin with, the song is very polarizing. Those who hate it won’t like this take on it either. Those who love it will see this as treading on sacred ground.
And radio was never all that keen on sleepy waltzes anyways….another yawner.
February 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Loved The Hell would’ve been a much better choice. I’m guessing J&R probably had very little say-so.
February 13, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I don’t think ‘Loved The Hell’ would have made that great a radio release either. My choices would have been ‘Tune of Twenty Dollar Bill’ or ‘To Say Goodbye’. Country radio seems to eat up those kinds of songs.
February 13, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Rick, it’s times like this when I know that one day, there will be peace in this world and all nations will appreciate one another for the differences that make them unique…and stuff.
February 13, 2009 at 1:06 pm
As always, thanks for the link! Have a great weekend everyone!
February 13, 2009 at 1:35 pm
@Kelly: Actually just the opposite thought came to mind. It struck me as being the choice as a single because Joey + Rory wanted it, because I don’t think Vanguard would’ve made that choice. Plus, they are on a smaller label, so I imagine they really have a lot of freedom with that stuff
February 13, 2009 at 2:07 pm
“For her newest album, Martina McBride switched producers to help her find a different and fresh perspective on her music. She felt that producer was Dann Huff, who has produced albums for Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and most recently, Pat Green.”
Translation: Martina was bummed about not having any recent hits, so she decided to forgo originality and go with the most proven commodity in town.
Or maybe that’s overly cynical. I dunno. It’s not like I have something against Huff – I think he’s really good at a certain kind of production. I like most of what he’s done with Urban, at least. But there’s very little pretense about Urban being an actual country artist, and Huff is definitely not a country producer. He’s a pop/rock producer good at gettin’ ya played on country radio.
Loved that Pam Tillis bit.
I was bummed to hear about “Free Bird,” too. They’re probably not going to get a huge amount of play to begin with, so they might as well go with the best stuff on the album – “Play the Song” and “Sweet Emmylou.” I’d love to hear “Heart of the Wood” on country radio, too, but I don’t think such an understated song would have a decent shot unless it was released by an A-lister.
February 13, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Damn, not a good choice at all. “To Say Goodbye” or “Sweet Emmylou” would’ve been great.
Looking forward to listening to Jake Owen’s album… thanks for the link.
February 13, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Yeah “freebird” was a questionable choice, but due to the success of the record so far they might get another single out of it no matter what.
I’m hoping they go with “Sweet Emmylou” for sure. I think it’s far and away the best song on the record and would drive the people wild as part of a radio playlist.
Ac acoustic song swap between Randy Houser, Jack Ingram, and Jason Michael Carrol? I don’t think I’d ever recover from such a thing.
February 13, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Jeez, I hoped Jake Owen’s album would be another step forward for him, but it looks like a step backward. There’s a few good tracks, so I think he can still chart the 3-4 singles he needs in the top 20 or so to stay on the country radar… but definitely a letdown overall.
February 13, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Kelly, let’s not get carried away here! (lol)
Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, the folks over at CMT listed their favorite country love songs. A Rascal Flatts song is included and surprisingly its not the pick of Alison Bonaguro, who played it safe and went with Garth Brooks. The choices tell you a lot about the musical tastes of the CMT contributors behind them:
Link: http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1605091/ten-country-love-songs-we-love.jhtml
I’ll stick with Unknown Hinson’s “Polly Urethane” for reasons that shall remain anonymous…..(lol)
February 13, 2009 at 5:21 pm
In regards to Joey + Rory, keep in mind that the main purpose at the moment is to attract *new* fans to this brand-new group, not necessarily to appease all the people who already own and have enjoyed the record.
Free Bird, while admittedly a bit cliche, is a good cover of a popular song. It hopefully will garner airplay and broaden their appeal. Some of the other songs mentioned, like Loved The Hell and To Say Goodbye, are awesome songs, but have limited upside from a marketing standpoint. Following up Cheater with a song about 9/11 may also have been a bit confusing in terms of image development.
Just my personal opinion.
February 13, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Ryan, I think Joey + Rory’s version of “Free Bird” is just too slow and relaxed for Top 40 country radio these days. The song I would choose for the next single is “Boots” and hope that the traditional country door Jamey Johnson helped to push open at radio stays that way for a little while. I also love “Tune of a Twenty Dollar Bill” but would mainstream radio play such an old timey sounding tune? Sadly I think not….
February 13, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Ok Carrie’s video of “I Told You So” may not be super exciting but it’s nice and I’m glad she pays homage to the writer and original singer, Randy Travis by showing the night he asked her to become a member of the Opry.
February 13, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Well, Joey + Rory’s “Freebird” sucks and is a politically correct, neutered classic rock ripoff, so it should slide quite easily into radio playlists.
February 13, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I voted at GAC. There was nothing that said you can vote over and over. You had to register so you only get one vote (not that that will stop the sneaking people who have 8 email addresses and create fake names etc.) I voted Jamey, Ashton, and Zak Brown
February 13, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Everyone’s taking steps backward at the moment – examples include Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley, both of whom have really disapppointed me with their most recent releases.
February 13, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I saw something on the GAC site that they would only allow one vote per IP address, so multiple e-maail addresses wouldn’t help. I was slightly surprised it let me vote without a US zip code; I voted for Jamey and Ashton aand passed on the groups because I don’t like any of them.
February 13, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Yeah, I did not care for ANY of the groups either.
February 13, 2009 at 6:23 pm
The Jake Owen album isnt so bad, but sadly it is much like his debut album, a great voice that is mostly singing boring, generic songs save for a few here and there.
I am actually looking forward to Jack Ingram’s new album, the more I hear about it.
February 13, 2009 at 6:49 pm
The video for Carrie Underwood’s cover of “I Told You So” is the live footage from the night she was inducted to the Grand Ole Opry by the song’s original singer and writer, Randy Travis.
Well, that is subtle. Whst’s her next video? Her label bashing us over the head with a frying pan that says Carrie Underwood Is Country?
February 13, 2009 at 7:13 pm
She’s so country I almost recognized her at the Grammys!
February 13, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Stormy, did you really have to go and stir up the Carrie Underwear pot? This thread was going so nicely with interesting comments about meaningful subjects! Crikey! (lol)
February 13, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Oh come on, you know you love it!
February 13, 2009 at 8:45 pm
“Well, that is subtle. Whst’s her next video? Her label bashing us over the head with a frying pan that says Carrie Underwood Is Country?”
(YAWN) Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
You folks are so predictable. Here, I’ll toss you a bone to chew on:
44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
(Carrie Underwood)
Keith Urban
February 13, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Who wants to theorize that that was a totally political move? And just ’cause they nominate her don’t make it true. Exhibit, Heidi Newfield.
February 14, 2009 at 4:57 am
If that one is still fan-voted, I’m regretfully resigned to the prospect of her actually winning it.
February 16, 2009 at 11:38 am
actually, carrie underwood more than meets the criteria for enterainer of they year, and some djs predict she could win it.
she is the top selling female artist in terms of touring this year, and the top 5 tour overall. by that definition she should be entertainer of the year. heidi newfield is not an accurate parallel, as she had only one song that even was in the top 20.
February 16, 2009 at 11:56 am
Having seen each of the candidates for EoY perform, Carrie Underwood is the least deserving of the pack. She has some great talent and deserves all of her “Female Vocalist” awards, but her shows don’t compare to the guys on the list.
February 16, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Zach, when was the last time you have seen Carrie perform? I saw her both at the beginning and end legs of her tour, and there is a world of difference. She is really great now.
Anyway, statistically and numerically, her tour numbers should put her in the EOTY category. Not to mention her status as a country rep oustide the genre, and her acclaimed CMA just a dream performance and Make the World go Away at last year ACMS. Not to mention her opry induction, number one singles, cd sales, touring numbers.
February 16, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Regardless of whether she deserves to win it or not, Carrie Underwood probably will win that award. If she doesn’t then the fan vote is just a publicity stunt as Underwood’s ‘fans’ mobilize for fan voted awards.