Kip Moore has truly impressed me thus far in his career. "Beer Money" made my year end list last year, and "Hey Pretty Girl" is also on my best of list this year, while also having my favorite album of last year, Up All Night. And with the lead single off his upcoming sophomore album, he hasn't taken skipped a beat.

"Young Love" features a rootsy-down to earth arrangement which allows Moore's light rasp to shine, like it has so many times. 

This gives the single a huge advantage, because Moore is able to truly connect to the storyline, which is about, simply young love, as the title suggests.

What has most impressed me about Kip, is he's able to take a somewhat redundant subject matter, and along with producer Brett James, is able to give it a signature sound.

Kip Moore knows who he is as an artist, and I strongly recommend not stopping anytime soon

Grade: A

Listen: "Young Love"

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.

The nominees for the new artist catagories were announced
today.

Female


Should Win:

Jana Kramer
Kacey Musgraves- MM, GP
Sunny Sweeney


Will Win:

Jana Kramer- MM, GP
Kacey Musgraves
Sunny Sweeney


Markus: Musgraves seems to be the most interesting and released "Merry Go Round" one of
my 2012 faves. But Jana had a top 5 smash in "Why Ya Wanna" so she's pretty much
a lock for it. No idea why Sweeney was nominated...


Gator: I like both Kacey and Jana a lot so I am fine either way with those results. I
just think Kacey is the more interesting talent as of yet, although she doesn't
have as much of a foundation to warrant this nomination.. Don't get me started
on Sunny..

Male


Should Win:

Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes- GP
Lee Brice- MM


Will Win:

Brantley Gilbert- MM
Hunter Hayes- GP
Lee Brice


Markus: Kip Moore. But of the nominees, Brice is my fave by far of the 3. For the will win, its a
toss-up with Brantley and Hunter, but I'll go with the former, seeing as he has
some of the most loyal fans in the genre.


Gator: Honestly, I do not like any of them all that much  but I think Hunter has the
most raw talent and promise, plus crazy teen fans, so I'll go with him.
 

Kip Moore is awesome. He finds ways to make even the most un-interesting singles sound fresh (ala "Somethin' Bout A Truck").

But, I'm not saying this isn't interesting. In fact, it's one of the best things I've heard in a while. 

The story is about the gradual steps in a relationship. From when they first meet, to having a child. The production is low-key and lets Moore show off his awesome light-rasp.

It's written in the same style as "Somethin' Bout A Truck". No chorus. I love that, so it's a shame that more artists haven't tried it out. It also doesn't hurt that Moores storytelling ability is in top form, as it was on "Mary Was The Marrying Kind". Actually, now that i think about it, this song reminds me a lot of "Mary Was The Marrying Kind".

With 2 top-5 hits to his credit, "Hey Pretty Girl" is sure to become the hit that "MWTMK" never was, and is a highlight from of the best albums of 2012.


Grade: A