Tomorrow evening, December 15th, the inaugural American Country Countdown Awards will air live from Nashville’s Music City Center. American Country Countdown has been an incredibly popular radio show that has aired nationally for more than four decades. So naturally, it is fitting that an awards show was finally announced in correlation with American Country Countdown. The awards will be broadcast live on Fox from 8-10PM EST and will be hosted by country music megastar group Florida-Georgia Line.
Award winners will be determined purely by country airplay and touring statistics. However, the award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, is a fan based award and was voted for on social media.
The list of performers is impressive and that list includes Hank Williams Jr., Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, and Brett Eldredge among others. Kelly Clarkson and Miranda Lambert will team up for a performance as a tribute to Reba who will be presented with the very first NASH Icon Award, which will be presented to her by American Country Countdown host, Kix Brooks.
Luke Bryan leads the pack of nominees with seven nominations, followed by Florida-Georgia Line with six nominations, and Jason Aldean with four. Other artists nominated include Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Danielle Bradbery, and Brett Eldredge among others.
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum
Blake Shelton
Prediction: Luke Bryan has an incredible year. Luke should win the award.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Randy Houser
Blake Shelton
Prediction: All of these guys have had great years. But when it comes down to it, it will be a race between three of them. Jason, Luke, and Blake. Who gets the win? Could be any of them. We’re taking Luke. His huge year continues.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Danielle Bradbery
Miranda Lambert
Cassadee Pope
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Prediction: Quite the nod to Danielle Bradbery to be nominated for this category so early in her career but she’s up against a tough crowd. We’re taking Miranda Lambert for the win.
Group/Duo of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum
Zac Brown Band
Prediction: It’s tough to bet against FGL, and we’re not going to. FGL takes the trophy.
Song of the Year
‘When She Says Baby,’ Jason Aldean’
‘Beat of the Music,’ Brett Eldredge
‘Lettin’ the Night Roll,’ Justin Moore
‘Drink To That All Night,’ Jerrod Niemann
‘Chillin’ It,’ Cole Swindell
Prediction: We’re surprised by some of the nominees, or we should say some songs that weren’t nominated. No ‘Drunk On A Plane’ or ‘I Don’t Dance?’ What about Carrie and Miranda’s ‘Something Bad,’ which was easily one of the biggest songs in 2014? What about a nomination for any female artist? But, if this is what we have to choose from, we’re taking Brett Eldredge’s ‘Beat of the Music.’
Collaboration of the Year
‘This Is How We Roll,’ Florida Georgia Line (feat. Luke Bryan)
‘Small Town Throwdown,’ Brantley Gilbert (feat. Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett)
‘Meanwhile Back At Mama’s,’ Tim McGraw (feat. Faith Hill)
‘My Eyes,’ Blake Shelton (feat. Gwen Sebastian)
‘We Were Us,’ Keith Urban (feat. Miranda Lambert)
Prediction: Tough category. Again, no nomination for Carrie and Miranda’s ‘Something Bad,’ which is again surprising. We like ‘Small Town Throwdown’ but our prediction goes to ‘This Is How We Roll.’
Album of the Year
‘Crash My Party,’ Luke Bryan
‘The Outsiders,’ Eric Church
‘Here’s to the Good Times,’ Florida Georgia Line
‘Just as I Am,’ Brantley Gilbert
‘Platinum,’ Miranda Lambert
Prediction: Any one of these albums can win the award. All are deserving. We’re going to go against the grain here and give the nod to Eric.
Digital Song of the Year
‘Burnin’ It Down,’ Jason Aldean
‘Drink a Beer,’ Luke Bryan
‘Play It Again,’ Luke Bryan
‘Dirt,’ Florida Georgia Line
‘This Is How We Roll,’ Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan
Prediction: Aldean has the cards stacked against him in this category. And we wish the category showed a little more diversity. Luke Bryan is 3 of the 5 nominees and FGL is listed as 2 of the 5 nominees. Our prediction is Luke and FGL for ‘This Is How We Roll.’
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Brett Eldredge
Tyler Farr
Kip Moore
Thomas Rhett
Cole Swindell
Prediction: Great group of artists and will be a tight race. This is the only award determined by fan vote. We’re predicting that Kip Moore wins the award but wouldn’t be surprise if one of the others slipped in and took the trophy.