​I've been blogging for three years, and this is ironically the first time I've reviewed a Florida Georgia Line song ... and a Bebe Rexha one for that matter. 

Any external discussion surrounding this song's claim to fame will be dealt with in due time, because for as many articles that I see written regarding this tune and the artists involved, I've rarely seen an actual discussion on the song itself. 

Yes, it's by a Pop artist, but as far as this particular song being the furthest thing from Country music's roots is concerned, all I can say is, Walker Hayes says "hell no" to that. In fact, at worst, "Meant To Be" is simply boring. After a handful of listens, my only assessment is that at worst and best, this is just a half-baked version of Florida Georgia Line's "H.O.L.Y" with chintzier production. 

In fact, sonically I have a hard time distinguishing the two. The drum machine and fake snap percussion adds a layer of grayness rather than color. There's some weird sounding steel meets electric sounding instrument during the verses, but you can just basically chalk that up to the producers wanting to add a "Country" element to this. Admittedly the piano carrying the melody does add flavor, and it's nice to see that instrument appearing in more mainstream country singles (now if only we could get the fiddle back!). However, the entire mix just eventually drowns out the song as it goes on, especially during the unimaginative chorus. 

On that note, "unimaginative" is the perfect word for the lyricism on this track. Beyond the repetitive usage of saying "it'll be" a million times, it's just an unusual set up of Hubbard (you didn't expect Brian Kelley to do anything, did you?) essentially saying "hey baby, don't worry about love, we'll work it all out together." Meanwhile, Rexha at least seems serious about finding a solution for love, and while Hubbard may be an alright fit for her, him just telling her that she's in over her head comes off as ... I don't know, more than a tad condescending? By the end it's just a lazy, generic "we're going to make it" song that offers nothing of value really. 

The two singers have decent chemistry I suppose, but if this is Rexha's song, why is Hubbard singing more than half of this song? For a song claiming to be purely Pop, it sure seems like they purposely didn't let the female artist get as much attention, a trait which is common in another genre I know and love. I wonder what it is? 
But overall, I can't honestly say I feel anything toward this one way or another. It's lazy and boring, but also not nearly the worst thing I've ever heard. "Meh" is really all I needed to say about this. 

Grade: D+
Listen: "Meant To Be"

Author: Zackary Kephart

With 2018 now upon us, is there a better time to look back and reflect on the year that was 2017? We think not! Over the next two days we will be releasing our year-end features, starting with our annual Worst-Of list. While there was plenty of tremendous stuff this year (which we'll touch on tomorrow), let's take a look at the lesser offerings of the past calendar year. Featured in the rankings are our year-end regulars, Markus Meyer, Zack, and Chris Baggs!

#20
Toby Keith, "Wacky Tobaccy"

I mean, at least "Red Solo Cup" could be fun in the correct setting. This is just immature and lazy. We get it, you're being a "bad boy". Don't worry Toby, I won't tell your parents. I could see the argument for how one would think this is fun, but really, to me it just seems like a cry for relevancy. - Zackary Kephart

 #17
Little Big Town, "Happy People"

Little Big Town is one of the best groups in Country music. Their vocals are unmatched in the format...but even they can swing and miss too. “Happy People” was the second single off their album The Breaker and it was absolutely the wrong choice, as evidence by its inability to crack the top 40 at country radio. The song uses the repeated phrase, “happy people” throughout its verses and the song’s theme while fine, comes off preachy and ends up laundry-listing everything happy people aren’t, when in reality, it’s possible to be happy while having many imperfections along the way. There are worse songs on our worst list but this is easily one of LBT’s lesser offerings. - CB
​

#16
Morgan Wallen feat. Florida Georgia Line, "Up Down"

It's almost as if we counted some long lost single from 2014 just for kicks. I know it's tiring to rag on bro-country at this point, but dear God people, you have to work with what you have. You know things are bad in the Florida Georgia Line when they're on more featured singles than Tyler Childers is on year end lists. - ZK

#15
Shania Twain, "Life's About To Get Good"

I'm as disappointed in anyone that Shania Twain's comeback amounted to...this. Really, we don't need to drag this out. The problems with rhyme with production. Oh wait, it is the production. Well, you get the point, right? - ZK

#12
Cole Swindell feat. Dierks Bentley, "Flatliner"

An obnoxious song about literally nothing. The writing thinks it's way more clever than it is, and the production pounds you over the head. There's no melody, and the performance does nothing to elevate the rest of the record. Well below both the talent of both artists (and Swindell has his fair share of mediocre tunes).  - Markus Meyer

#11
Lady Antebellum, "You Look Good"

Well I was actually kind of looking forward to Lady A's comeback, and came out thoroughly disappointed. In one of the most obnoxious records of the year, the vocal falls flat, the melody goes nowhere and lyrically it says... Well, not really anything. It's thoroughly grating, and is a let down coming from a group who has shown capable of so much more. - MM

#10
Jordan Davis, "Singles You Up"

You know, for a guy who cites Jason Isbell among his influences, I would expect Jordan Davis' music to not...well, suck. "Singles You Up" is the biggest travesty that you (thankfully) likely didn't hear this year though. The song takes the premise of Old Dominion's "Break Up With Him" right down to the creepy insistence for the girl in question to break up with this guy just so she can be with the "narrator". It's overproduced, it's badly written...need I say more? - ZK

#9
​Chris Janson, "Fix A Drink"

Listen, Chris Janson has some serious upside. Listen to "Holdin' Her". Listen to "Drunk Girl". Those are some top-shelf efforts. This.. Well, sucks. There aren't really any redeeming qualities. Janson, who can be a decent technical vocalist at times, comes off as grating, while the production lacks nuance and simply hammers electric guitars. It goes nowhere and simply screams 'Buy Me a Boat 2.0', but without the charm. - MM

#8
Luke Bryan, "Light It Up"

Imagine writing a song about a guy wanting a girl to blow up his phone and that literally being the entire song. That’s what the lead single off Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country was about and if the theme wasn’t bad enough, it also sounds like a watered-down repeated instrumentation and production of his previous work. Luke Bryan can sing good material but “Light It Up” was easily one of the year’s worst ideas and executed songs. - CB
​

#7
​Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood, "The Fighter"

This had serious potential. Two of the most potent vocalists, and strongest talents in the genre teaming up? Man, this could have been good. Instead we got ultra-pop fluff. Like seriously, this is beyond Sam Hunt-level pop. Nothing about this even remotely resembles country music, and quite frankly, it's borderline insulting to even try and peddle it as such. Such a shame. - MM

#6
Florida Georgia Line, "Smooth"

Okay, listen. I've been a Florida Georgia Line apologist before. I'll admit that, despite their lyrical downfalls, I enjoy their upbeat melodies and hooky choruses. But honestly, this is quite poor. It's lyrical cliches wrapped in a grating production and a jarring melody. An unfortunate effort that rightfully fell short of the top ten. - MM  

#4
​Dustin Lynch, "Small Town Boy"

The worst rural cliches from the early 2010's smothered in ceaseless autotune. There's no charm, no personality, and no resemblance of depth in the songwriting. Lynch showed early in his career, or even with passable efforts like "Mind Reader", that he's better than this. What he's doing now is taking the worst of the country-boy phase, with the worst of the pop/R&B phase, and blending them together into one terrible effort. - MM

#3
Canaan Smith, "Like You That Way"

We chose NOT to link to the single cover featuring the butt because...well, do we really have to explain why? Anyway, Canaan Smith tried to draw up controversy by mentioning Miranda Lambert in a questionable fashion on his latest single. After all, it was the only way this guy was ever going to get another hit now that the bro-country well has run dry. Instead, it thankfully did nothing, and now all that's left is a song that's creepy, repetitive, boring, and honestly, completely representative of Canaan Smith's career. - ZK

#2
Sam Hunt, "Body Like A Backroad"

Personally, this is my far and away my pick for the worst single of the year, and this is coming from someone who would easily put Walker Hayes at #1 on any other year. What is there to say that hasn't been said already, though? This song makes your mouth drop each time you hear it, not because it’s breathtaking, but because it’s one of the biggest misogynistic pieces of crap you’ll ever hear in your life. The title really says it all, but even the comparisons he makes are downright creepy. I get that they were probably trying to go for a lightweight, breezy sex song, but in order to make that actually work, beyond good writing you need some personality and charisma. Sam Hunt doesn’t have that. Hell, he doesn’t even sing half of the time. He’s just there. Thankfully aside from that turd by Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt didn't completely resurrect bro-country. - ZK

#1
Walker Hayes, "You Broke Up With Me"

I honestly can't think of a single good thing to say about this song. Even if you want to ignore the blatant lack of country influence, there are still no redeeming qualities. The melody is jarring. The vocal is choppy and drenched in autotune, drowning out any chance Hayes had at redeeming it with vocal talent. The lyric is immature, and lacking in any sort of storytelling, or substance. It's genuinely hard to make it through this song. The fact that this has found a home on country radio is a travesty. Does Hayes have a good backstory to tell? Absolutely, but you sure wouldn't know it after listening to this trainwreck. - MM

My expectations weren't exactly high going into this one. I mean, how much good could possibly come from a song titled "Homegrown Honey"? And yet, Rucker still managed to deliver a failure of epic proportions. 

This is a disaster on all fronts, but the lyrics stick out as especially terrible. Listen, as poorly written and mind numbingly stupid as lots of material from the likes of Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett is, at least they make it seem relatable. They're young. They sell it from that viewpoint. When Darius sings it, it comes as off as creepy. The man is 48-years-old. 48! And he's singing "I dig the way that you move"? I know you're not supposed to judge the music off the artists themselves, but this is just unacceptable.

The production and melody are just as bad. Yes there's banjo, yes there's fiddle, but sounding country does not always equate to being good. From a sonic standpoint, "Homegrown Honey" is grating, while the melody is choppy and jarring.

I like Darius an artist. He has delivered some quality songs on multiple occasions. But nothing about this single is good, and should the rest of his upcoming album be anything close to similar, I will not be picking it up.

Grade: F
Listen: "Homegrown Honey"

Hello folks, and welcome to the 2nd annual This Is Country Music 20 Worst Singles of 2014 list. This year, in addition to myself and sabre14, we have Pulse Music Board member zack97 contributing to our list. Without further ado, here are the twenty worst radio singles of 2014, as voted on by TICM contributors. Stay tuned for our Best Of list, coming soon!

#20
Little Big Town, "Day Drinking"

After "Your Side Of The Bed" and "Sober" under performed at radio, it was obvious that Little Big needed something upbeat and fun in the vein of "Pontoon" to catapult themselves back into top five territory. With that we have "Day Drinking". This song is lazy and annoying, the whistles throughout make it hard to enjoy, and do we really need more songs about how fun drinking is? It's an overdone topic as is, throw in a grating production and you have a mess of a single. - zack97

#19
Darius Rucker, "Homegrown Honey"

While "Homegrown Honey" was already a dull, unoriginal song to begin with, what makes it even worse is the fact that it's such a blatant attempt to return to radio after "Miss You" bombed. Bro-country is dead dude, get with the times. "Ooo, I dig the way that you move" is an embarrassing line. *sigh* - Markus Meyer 

#18
The Band Perry, "Chainsaw"

While "Chainsaw" is fairly unoffensive upon first listen, it grows worse upon each listen. When The Band Perry is on their game, they're interesting, and they hold up after repeated listens. "Chainsaw" is neither, it's boring, and it's grating. - MM

#17
Eric Paslay, "Song About A Girl"

This song spends three and a half minutes telling you what this song is not about but at the same time never going in depth about what the song "is" about. I'm sorry but Eric's song about "nothing", or at least nothing we haven't heard a million times before about a heartbreak queen rockin' the jeans before, if you ask me, and one I wish was never a single. - sabre14

#16
Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, "Somethin' Bad"

I expect better from both of these two. Lambert and Underwood have produced some of the most compelling material of the past five years, and this is what we get from their duet? Disappointing. This is all style, no substance, it's loud for the sake of being loud, and worst of all, it's pointless. Somethin' bad indeed. - MM

#14
Brantley Gilbert / Justin Moore / Thomas Rhett, "Small Town Throwdown"

This obnoxious piece of trash is easily the worst song on what was an otherwise brilliant album in Just As I Am. It's cliched, it's loud, and Thoma Rhett sounds terrible with his exaggerated twang. No thanks. - MM

#13
Maggie Rose, "Girl In Your Truck Song"

Maggie, why? When you put out three dynamite songs out to radio that barely make a dent with them its frustrating. So she thought that combining the names of a lot of famous "bro country" hits("Thats My Kind Of Night", "Chillin' It", etc.) would be a great idea. Unfortunately for her, this song doesn't work at all, largely due to the fact that the lyrics are lazy and stupid. Seriously Maggie. get on Maddie & Tae's side. At least they mentioned the bro songs cleverly and stood up for the females. - zack97

#12
Florida Georgia Line feat. Luke Bryan, "This Is How We Roll"

With this song came the same song and dance (literally) with FGL. A catchy melody but God awful lyrics. The overproduction is nothing new with them but the rapping by Tyler during the one of the song's verses was (on radio at least) and easily the worst part of the song. - sabre14

#11
Rascal Flatts, "Payback"

Sure, Rascal Flatts have had some bad singles over the years, but this one takes the cake. Gary LeVox sounds laughably bad here, as does everything else about this obnoxious, immature, and just plain bad "song". Apparantely country radio agreed, as it missed the top 20. You're better than this guys. - MM

#10
Jason Aldean, "Burnin' It Down"

The only country sounding thing to me in "Burnin' It Down" is Jason's vocals. This is more Pop than Kelleigh's song which is saying something. The production has more of a Hip-Hop and R&B feel than a country one. The lyrics are another look away moment. There's nothing "offensive" or "taboo" about saying "Naked in my bed". But the reason most don't use it, is because it sounds, well, stupid. Probably my least favorite Aldean song but most obviously disagree as it topped the Mediabase and Billboard charts for multiple weeks... - sabre14

#9
Kelleigh Bannen, "Famous"

I know country radio is trending more into the Pop sound as time goes on but "Famous" takes it to a new level. The chorus made me though I had tuned into a Hot AC station when it first came on the radio. Quite the change from Kelleigh's country sounds on her first single, "Sorry On The Rocks". Kelleigh has immense talent but "Famous" masks it. - sabre14

#8
Chris Lane, "Broken Windshield View"

A song about small town pride with an obnoxiously loud chorus? Yeah, that pretty much sums up this song. It's obvious he's trying to cash in on the bro crowd like Cole Swindell and Chase Rice did, but unfortunately, he's a little too late. Try again with a better song next time Chris. - zack97

#5
Joey Hyde, "Get It On"

This is a perfect example of what not to release as your debut single. "Get It On" is uncreative in every way, shape and form. The lyrics are unoriginal. The instrumentation is repetitive, and the production is overbearing. Not a good first step into country radio. - sabre14

#4
Florida Georgia Line, "Sun Daze"

The boys of Florida Georgia Line took it a little too far with this song. Getting stoned is nothing new in country music, but the problem with this song is that the entire song talks about NOTHING other than getting stoned, oh and getting laid (classy). I don't think anyone will be able to forget the infamous "pink umbrella" line. Ugh. - zack97

#3
Dylan Scott, "Mmm, Mmm, Mmm"

We've heard this type of song 100000 times. A guy thinks a girls so hot that he wants to express that by showing how it makes him feel and how country he is. This song is one of the worst examples of this, nothing but cliche country boy lyrics that sound so stupid. The title doesn't even have an actual word in it. - zack97

#2
Tim McGraw, "Lookin' For That Girl"

When I first heard this song, something happened that had never happened to me before - my jaw dropped in disbelief. I couldn't imagine that this was indeed Tim McGraw. It sounded like some awful computerized auto-tune machine sputtering out odd and strange lyrics. I never thought Tim would outdo "Truck Yeah" in the horrendous department but he did so with flying colors. - sabre14

#1
Jerrod Niemann, "Donkey"

I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said a million time about this atrocity. This is embarrassing to Jerrod Niemann, his label, the songwriters, the producer, and country music. Everything about this is just terrible. An absolute no-brainer for my most hated single of 2014. Jaw droppingly bad. - MM

Chris Lane's debut single gets a couple things right, and a lot of things wrong. 

Let's start with the positives: Lane sounds fully committed here, like he really believes in what he's singing, something I greatly appreciate. Furthermore, he clearly has the vocal chops to be an effective artist. 
The chorus is also melodically sound. It's not insanely catchy but little nuggets like "our Friday nights might get a little black and blue" get lodged in your brain for hours.

That's where the positives abruptly stop. Despite the occasional catchy hook, it's yet another bro-song hidden beneath a big title hook. Think of the most average country-pride anthem you can imagine, then think of the most average bro-country song of all time. That is basically what "Broken Windshield View" is.

It doesn't help matters that Joey Moi smothers it with the loudest, most obnoxious production in existence. Yes, there is some token banjo thrown in, but Mr. Moi cranks up the guitars to make sure you can't hear it. Can't have country instruments on a mainstream single now can we.

Chris Lane might have potential to be a decent artist one day, but first he has to ditch Joey Moi and find a different producer, then he has to branch out lyrically. For now I'll file him in with the other Florida Georgia Line wannabees. This is just one big (loud) pile of blah.

Grade: D+
Listen: "Broken Windshield View"

Now, I have been a vocal supporter of FGL. I did enjoy their debut album and have enjoyed everything they've sent to radio (yes, even "This Is How We Roll"), but it's nice to here something a bit deeper.

"Dirt" is a song about how dirt has a large effect on our lives, no matter how small it may seem at the time, and how we all return to "Dirt" at the end. Kudos to Joey Moi for more or less restraining the production (though it does get a bit loud during the chorus) and throwing in a steel guitar. I appreciate steel guitar. In addition, I appreciate the use of Brian Kelley. I don't have an issue with Tyler Hubbard's voice the way many do, but I do prefer BK's so it's nice to here him get a chance to shine.

Overall this is FGL's best effort yet. It's a pleasant surprise and one of the better singles of the year thus far.

(On a side note, the video is worth a watch)

Grade: A 
Listen: "Dirt"

Ah yes. Summer time. The time where anthems and up-tempos rule the airwaves and where ballads go to die. It is time for our summer single round-up.

Eric Church - "Cold One"

This was the standout from The Outsiders for me. At first glance it comes across as just another drinking song. But it's actually a breakup song. The production is funky but not overly thick and Church sells it. Good stuff.

Grade: A

Danielle Bradbery - "Young In America"

This is pure fluff, but good fluff. Bradbery sounds good here and sounds like she is legitimately enjoying herself. Production is restrained and an infectious melody. I can get into this.

Grade: B

Thompson Square - "Testing the Water"

Why? Just why? For an album full of fun, infectious tunes why this? A song like "Here's To Being Here" has so much energy and charisma. This is dull. I don't say that about much of Thompson Square's stuff.


Grade: C

Brad Paisley - "River Bank"

Lyrically clever, takes the interesting production traits of Wheelhouse and makes it a bit more radio friendly, a performance reminiscent of Paisley's early work. I was hoping it wouldn't be a copy of "Water". It wasn't.

Grade: B+

Florida Georgia Line feat. Luke Bryan - "This Is How We Roll"

The rapping here is crap. It seriously sucks. So do the lyrics. But I find myself jamming to it. It's catchy as hell. I like it. Can we forget I ever said that now?


Grade: B

Dustin Lynch - "Where It's At"

This is very, very average. Boring lyrics, boring production, boring melody, boring vocals, boring single cover. ZZZZZZZZZ.

Grade: C-

Wow. What a year in country music. You have some artists releasing career best material, yet other have to cancel that out with some of the biggest piles of crap I've heard in the past few years (yes, I do in fact dislike some songs).
Myself, sabre14 and Pulse Music Board user .indulgecountry compiled lists of our 15 least favorite singles of 2013 and using a points system I made the following list. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present you TICM's top 15 worst singles of 2013.

#15 
Jason Mitchell, "Stomp"

"Stomp, stomp, shake your rhomp", I rest my case. -S14

#14
Chris Young, "Aw Naw"

Frat-boy anthem tailor made for radio. Young is capable of so much more than this. 
- MM

#13
Florida-Georgia Line, "Stay"

I actually think Stay is FGL's worst single to date. It's lyrics are cringeworthy, and unrealistic. And the vocal performance is below average as well. - S14

#12
Eric Church, "The Outsiders"

An over-calculated statement song that fails to really say anything.
Poorly-phrased and hackneyed lyrics are treated to a shouty vocal performance
and drowned in heavy metal production that leaves out any indication of country music from the equation. -IC

#11
Kelly Clarkson, "Tie It Up"

Screechy, overproduced pop music. I have no doubt Clarkson is capable of great country music, but if this is a sign of things to come, my expectations are not high 
-MM

#10
Toby Keith, "Shut Up And Hold On"


Toby really can't do much worse than this tune. What is up with that backup singer at the end Toby? -S14

#9
Blackjack Billy, "Get Some"

I could go on a rant. But I've spent enough of my time and effort writing about these guys already. -MM

#8
Blake Shelton, "Boys 'Round Here"

 Lyrically the song plays out like a checklist of all the country cliches
that can be covered in one song, with a delivery akin to having those lyrics
first thrown into a blender. It also relies heavily on gimmicky, repetitive
lines to create hooks and features a poor vocal delivery from a singer capable
of much better. -IC

#7 
Tim McGraw, "Southern Girl"

 Let's see here. Boring, cliche,.. uh... Boring. This song was the definition of mediocrity. "Southern Girl" rivals "Truck Yeah" for the worst single of Tim's career. -S14

#6
Jason Aldean, "1994"

Lazy, nonsensical lyrics that rely too much on cramming as many ill-fitting
references to Joe Diffie tunes into one song are only made worse by an equally
uninspired vocal performance. Things are made worse by a ridiculous chant of
Diffie's name and generic rock production. -IC

#5
Jerrod Niemann, "Drink To That All Night"

Can we please stop it with the auto tune. There is no need for it in this genre. The auto tune coupled with the dance bar type beat makes this a pop song on country radio. Jerrod's voice is subpar on this song to say the least. -S14

#4
Blackjack Billy, "The Booze Cruise"

My cat threw up. It could have made a better song than this. I'm not exaggerating. These guys have no talent, this isn't catchy, original or intelligent in any way. -MM

#3
Dallas Smith, "Tippin Point"

Please don't make judgements of Canadian country based on this song. There is so much better stuff. Bro-y lyrics, average production and the vocals are processed to death. -MM

#2
Luke Bryan, "That's My Kind Of Night"

This song is one big fat mess in every aspect. Any and all elements of
country music are absent from its production and cringe-worthy vocal effects
plague the chorus, the melody is unpleasant, and the lyrics are just
embarrassingly bad. Nothing about this is a "winner". -IC

#1
Chase Rice, "Ready Set Roll"

I can only put a few lines down here, so I'll hold back the best I can. My least favorite single in years. It's uncreative. Horribly cliche. Awful lyrics. And in my opinion degrading to women. This is the best example of trying to capitalize on Bro-Country. -S14

For this set of predictions, myself and new writer sabre14 will be making our predictions and picks (Gator is busy so he is unable to join us this time).



Entertainer

Should win:

Taylor Swift
Jason Aldean
George Strait - MM, S14
Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan


Will win:


Taylor Swift
Jason Aldean
George Strait - MM
Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan - S14



Markus:  George will get sympathy votes from voters. Not to mention he's put out the best music of these 5.


sabre14: I just don't have faith George will get enough votes here to overtake Luke. His album is better, and he had a great first leg of his farewell tour. But the massive sales of Luke will be too much in the end.






Male Vocalist

Should win:

Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean - MM
Luke Bryan - S14
Keith Urban
Eric Church


Will win:

Blake Shelton - S14
Jason Aldean 
Luke Bryan - MM
Keith Urban
Eric Church


Markus: If "Fuse" had been released within the eligibility period, Urban would have been my should win by a landslide and Church is my favorite of the bunch but he hasn't done much this year. So I guess I'll go with Aldean. This is Bryan's to lose though.

sabre14: I think the voters will lean Blake purely for the fact of his success of his television appeal coupled with his album being out longer than Luke's. I have to go with my gut on this one.





Female Vocalist

Should win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert - S14
Carrie Underwood
Kacey Musgraves - MM
Kelly Clarkson


Will win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood - MM, S14
Kacey Musgraves
Kelly Clarkson


Markus: This one is probably the most competitive group, for both picks. Underwood and Lambert have both released material among their career best this year, but Musgraves' album is too good to overlook. I could see any of them, Clarkson aside, winning this. Swift is the biggest name, Lambert is always a safe bet, Underwood has had a monster year and Musgraves has the critical acclaim. I guess I'll go with CU but wouldn't be suprised to see it go to the one of the aforementioned three.

sabre14: I feel Miranda has the perfect combo of great artistic music along with the success to go with it. But Carrie has the better chart numbers therefore she will win.





Vocal Duo of the Year

Should win:

Big & Rich
Thompson Square - S14
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars - MM

Will win:

Big & Rich
Thompson Square
Florida Georgia Line - MM, S14
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars 


Markus: A weak year for this category? What a shocker. In all seriousness, if FGL hadn't been arguably the most dominant artist in the format this past year, TCW would have a fighting chance by virtue that they released an album, which is more than B&R or Sugarland have done.


sabre14: Pretty cut and dry category. Thompson Squares album is better and makes better music. FGL have had 3 chart toppers and the digital and album sales to justify them winning.







New Artist of the year

Should win:

Florida Georgia Line
Lee Brice
Kip Moore - MM, S14
Kacey Musgraves
Brett Eldredge

Will win:

Florida Georgia Line - MM, S14
Lee Brice
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Brett Eldredge


Markus: Probably the best quality wise. I don't really consider Brice a new artist anymore though. I liked FGL's and Brett's debuts, but not quite to the extent I liked the other 2's. I'll give the should to Moore by the slightest of margins. FloGaLine takes this though.


sabre14: This will be my personal favorite of the evening. Kip had a great Album coupled with a string of chart toppers. But I would not be shocked to see the voters give more love than we think to Kacey or Lee. In the end I'll go with FGL with the transcending impact they have made in country music wether I like it or not










Vocal Group of the year

Should win:

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry - MM
Zac Brown Band - S14


Will win: 

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town - MM
The Band Perry - S14
Zac Brown Band


Markus: "Pioneer" is one of my favorite albums of the year. So they get my should win. I'm still gonna say LBT takes this though, but TBP are gonna start taking these home.


sabre14: I think the time has come for The Band Perry in this category, even though Zac Brown Band made a stellar album and two number one hits.






Vocal Event

Should win:

Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care” - MM, S14
Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Kelly Clarkson feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
Jason Aldean feat. Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”

Will win:

Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care” - MM, S14
Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Kelly Clarkson feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
Jason Aldean feat. Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”


Markus: Pretty competitive this year for a change. 3 of these were #1 hits, the other is huge pop hit and one features two big names. I'll give "HDC" both of them though.

sabre14: To me this song was the best song out of these choices and it was the biggest country hit this year. Pretty simple if you ask me.










Album of the year

Should win:

Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Taylor Swift, Red
Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer, Different Park - MM, S14
Little Big Town, Tornado


Will win:

Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Taylor Swift, Red
Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer, Different Park - MM, S14
Little Big Town, Tornado


Markus: I can't be the only one suprised "Uncaged" and "Night Train" have been completely snubbed at both the ACM/CMA'S so far. This one is close between Kacey and LBT for me but I'll give it to Kacey, who will also win.


sabre14: This one they will get right. Kaceys album was the most unique and well done record this year and I have a feeling the CMA's will see the same thing.







Single of the year

Should win: 

Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise” - MM, S14
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”


Will win:

Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise” - MM, S14
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”



Markus: Say what you will about FGL or "Cruise", but it would be unfair to not give them single of the year.


sabre14: This was the biggest hit on all the charts this year, and sold like crazy. This one has to go to "Cruise"






Song of the year

Should win:

Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round” - MM, S14
Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”

Will win:

Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck” - MM
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round” - S14
Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”


Markus: Pretty good "Pontoon" aside. It's close for me between Lee's, Kacey's and Miranda's but I'll give "MGR" the slight edge. "IDYT" takes it though. It touched so many people.

sabre14: If this doesn't win It will be a travesty. Kaceys song was the best song in terms of writing a different impactful yet, putting it in a subtle way to get her message across, and I would think the voters will agree.

Thus far in their career, I've gathered 3 things from Florida-Georgia Line.

1. They honestly sound like they want to party. Not just sort of, they REALLY sound like they enjoy partying.

2. Their songwriting is really underrated. Many may argue this, but the truth is despite the topic being more or less the same thing, their songs are full of clever lines.

3. The production is thick. Sometimes over the top. I have no doubt with a better producer they could be great.

All three of these points are relevant on their latest hit "Round Here".

It's once again a believable performance. That isn't an issue for them.

There are some decent lines here, my favorite being "That fireball whiskey whispers, temptation in my ear". I don't know why, but I love that lyric.

The production for the most part is fine. But when the chorus comes, it's loud. It's like this good-good-good-good-BAM. Explosion of noise.

The good news is it disappears after a bit.

This wouldn't be my first choice as a single, but it does have some guilty pleasure cred going for it and is definitely worth a listen.


Grade: B

Listen: "Round Here"