There's More Where That Came From

2009 Country Grammy Predictions

I’m sure some of you readers out there are getting sick of these, but I just wanted to post my predictions just so, if for some weird reason I guess right, I have some proof to show for it.

Best Male Country Vocal Performance
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins
“In Color” – Jamey Johnson
“Just Got Started Lovin’ You” – James Otto
“Letter to Me” – Brad Paisley
“Troubadour” – George Strait

This lineup seems like an easy one. While Paisley, Strait, and Adkins released decent tracks, Jamey Johnson IMHO is the deserving winner. His vocals paint a great picture and are so powerful making it one of the best listens of the year. Johnson’s vocals just prove he is destined for greatness in the years ahead.

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
“Last Name” – Carrie Underwood
“What I Cannot Change” – LeAnn Rimes
“For These Times” – Martina McBride
“This Is Me You’re Talking To” – Trisha Yearwood
“Last Call” – Lee Ann Womack

Beside “Last Name” and “For These Times” this is a pretty good lineup. My pick has to be “This Is Me You’re Talking To”, Trisha’s vocals are amazing as always, and she conveys such strong emotions like regret, bitterness, and understanding all into one. Saying that, I also think LeAnn is worthy of this award too. “What I Cannot Change” is her best song to date, and I think it’s safe to say that I’d be happy for either one that wins it.

Best Country Song
“Dig Two Graves” – Ashley Gorley & Bob Regan
“I Saw God Today” – Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell & Wade Kirby
“In Color” – Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller & James Otto
“Stay” – Jennifer Nettles
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Ashley Gorley & Lee Thomas Miller

If this were a year ago I would’ve gone with “Stay”that would’ve been before Johnson’s “In Color” started hitting airwaves.

Best Country Album
That Lonesome Song – Jamey Johnson
Sleepless Nights – Patty Loveless
Troubadour – George Strait
Around the Bend – Randy Travis
Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love– Trisha Yearwood

This overall is a great list. Heaven, Heartache, and The Power of Love is the best IMO overall. The album is Trisha’s best this decade and is almost as good as her 1992 Hearts In Armor masterpiece. That Lonesome Song would be my second pick as it is one of the best new albums out there, and a great debut for Johnson.

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
“God Must Be Busy” – Brooks & Dunn
“Love Don’t Live Here” – Lady Antebellum
“Every Day” – Rascal Flatts
“Blue Side of the Mountain” – The SteelDrivers
“Stay” – Sugarland 

This is a pretty easy one for me. “Stay” has so much heartfelt emotion which comes from the fact Nettles wrote the song. “Blue Side Of The Mountain” is another good one, but nothing seems to live up to “Stay” on this list.

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
“Shiftwork” – Kenny Chesney & George Strait
“Killing the Blues” – Robert Plant & Alison Kraus
“House of Cash” – George Strait & Patty Loveless
“Life in a Northern Town” – Sugarland, Jake Owen & Little Big Town
“Let the Wind Chase You” – Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban

“Let The Wind Chase You” is the best collaboration I have heard in a long time. If you give it one listen you’ll be hooked. It’s the evolved version of “Trying To Love You” and with Urban on vocals as well, it’s a country masterpiece. To sum it up, country radio should be busting their butts to get this song airplay.