The HNGN staff has been pouring over the list of nominees for the inaugural edition of the American Country Countdown Awards. All the artists vying in the new award show's nine major categories are hardworking, hard touring and incredibly talented ambassadors of country music. So, predicting the winners has been a tough task.
The awards show will be broadcast live from Nashville's Music City Convention Center Dec. 15 on FOX at 8 p.m. EST.
CMA's reigning Entertainer of the Year, Luke Bryan, has been nominated in the most categories (seven), including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and two separate entries for Digital Song of the Year. Florida Georgia Line scored six nominations, while Jason Aldean earned four.
The list of nominees for the evening's major awards also includes Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and more.
The performers for the show include Underwood, Aldean, Eric Church and Brett Eldredge, Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and Lambert. Florida Georgia Line will also serve as hosts for the show.
The winners of the American Country Countdown Awards will be determined by an artist's radio airplay and touring stats taken from outlets such as Soundscan, Pollstar and Mediabase, according to Rolling Stone. The only fan-voted category is Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
Here are the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards Nominees and the HNGN staff picks in each category.
Artist of the Year
Up for this award are Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum and Blake Shelton.
Prediction: Luke Bryan will have to scoot his 2014 CMA Entertainer of the Year trophy down the mantle a bit to make room for this award.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Nominees are Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Randy Houser and Blake Shelton.
Prediction: Within a couple of weeks of his "Old Boots, New Dirt" becoming the only country album released this year to be certified platinum by the RIAA, Jason Aldean will accept this award.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Up for this award are Danielle Bradbery, Miranda Lambert, Cassadee Pope, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.
Prediction: This award represents a musical cage match between Underwood and Lambert. For her year-long consistency, Miranda Lambert wins this bout.
Group/Duo of the Year
The nominees are The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum and Zac Brown Band.
Prediction: This award show's hosts - Florida Georgia Line - will have to act at least a bit humble when they accept this award.
Song of the Year
In the running for this award are "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; and "Chillin' It," Cole Swindell.
Prediction: Justin Moore and "Drink To That All Night" take this one.
Collaboration of the Year
The nominees are: "This Is How We Roll," Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan; "Small Town Throwdown," Brantley Gilbert featuring Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett; "Meanwhile Back At Mama's," Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill; "My Eyes," Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Sebastian; and "We Were Us," Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert
Prediction: Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan will have to roll - or bound - up to the stage to accept this award.
Album of the Year
In contention for this award are "Crash My Party," Luke Bryan; "The Outsiders," Eric Church; "Here's to The Good Times," Florida Georgia Line; "Just As I Am," Brantley Gilbert; and "Platinum," Miranda Lambert .
Prediction: Miranda Lambert shines bright with "Platinum."
Digital Song of the Year
The nominated songs are "Burnin' It Down," Jason Aldean; "Drink A Beer," Luke Bryan; "Play It Again," Luke Bryan; "Dirt," Florida Georgia Line; and "This Is How We Roll," Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan.
Prediction: Luke Bryan will deserve a toast for winning this award with "Drink A Beer."
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Up for this fan-voted award are Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell.
Prediction: In this battle of newcomers, Cole Swindell will take the prize.
