5 Things To Bet On At The ACM Award Nominations This Week
It was announced Monday afternoon that nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards were to be revealed later this week.
The one and only Reba McEntire will be announcing some of the major contenders Thursday morning. The country star will start by revealing the nominees for the "Song of the Year" on Facebook before offering up a few more categories live on CBS This Morning shortly after.
Then 'Entertainment Tonight' anchor Nancy O'Dell will reveal the remaining nominees live on their website.
It's been a big year for music and a lot has changed since this time last year. In a year where everything is up in the air, there are a few artists and nominations that are pretty much a lock. Here are 5 things we will (most likely) see when nominations are announced later this week.
- Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Rick Diamond, Getty Images 1Carly Pearce Scores A Nod Or Two
Pearce is one of the most promising newcomers to come out of country music over the past year. She has defied the odds every step of the way, earning her first #1 single with a simple but (very) effective ballad. The feat earned her plenty of critical acclaim but it is her voice that is the real treat here. A nod for New Female Vocalist of the Year is the biggest lock there is but I'd bet a few bucks on one in the Female Vocalist of the Year category too.
- John Shearer, Getty Images for DIRECTV
John Shearer, Getty Images for DIRECTV 2Taylor Swift Continues To Dominate From The Pop World
She's gone pop but that doesn't mean she can't continue her country music dominance! That is exactly what she did last year with Little Big Town's release of her self-penned tune 'Better Man.' The song was an instant hit and snagged her her very first CMA Award for Song of the Year and a Grammy nod. Pair this star power with country music's most unstoppable vocal group and what do you get? ACM Award nominations for Song and Single Record of the Year.
- Ethan Miller, Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Ethan Miller, Getty Images for iHeartMedia 3Justice For Country's Queen
Lambert was completely snubbed at the Grammy Awards last month (I am not over it) but she has always fared very well at the ACMs. Her national debut of 'Tin Man' was on that stage and people are still talking about it a year later. Song and Single Record of the Year nominations are a sure thing but an Entertainer of the Year nomination isn't out of the picture either.
- Rick Diamond, Getty Images for CMT
Rick Diamond, Getty Images for CMT 4Thomas Rhett & Chris Stapleton Score The Most Nods
If there were ever two superstars you shouldn't bet against, these are it. You can't deny Thomas Rhett & Chris Stapleton's star power. Rhett's star has been on the rise over the past few years, earning him nominations at just about very award show possible. Stapleton recently released two phenomenal albums that secured his place as Nashville's reigning king. Plus, he is best friends with Justin Timberlake. Enough said.
- Mike Coppola, Getty Images for CMT
Mike Coppola, Getty Images for CMT 5A Shakeup In Female Vocalist of the Year
We always seem to have our locks in this category (Underwood, Ballerini, Morris and Lambert) but for the first time in awhile, it looks like there's room for someone new. My bet is on Carly Pearce but the underrated Lauren Alaina is also too good to count out. Kacey Musgraves also returned last week after seemingly taking some time off but it may be too late if voting has already closed.
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