2016 Academy of Country Music Awards Winners
As reported by friend-of-the-blog @WindmillsMusic, 10 of the 13 winners (and 7 of the 8 televised winners) are represented by William Morris Endeavor. WME is the real winner on the night.
Entertainer: Jason Aldean
Male Vocalist: Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert
Vocal Group: Little Big Town
Vocal Duo: Florida Georgia Line
Single: Thomas Rhett, “Die a Happy Man”
Song: “Nobody to Blame” – Written by Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman, and Chris Stapleton; Performed by Chris Stapleton
Album: Chris Stapleton, Traveller
New Female Artist: Kelsea Ballerini
New Male Artist: Chris Stapleton
New Vocal Duo or Group: Old Dominion
Vocal Event: Miranda Lambert with Little Big Town, “Smokin’ and Drinkin'”
Video: Eric Church, “Mr. Misunderstood” (Directed by Reid Long and John Peets; Produced by Megan Smith)
I certainly can’t quibble with Chris Stapleton’s win as New Male Vocalist; his retro approach, especially on “Nobody To Blame”, is a real shot in the arm for a country music fan base that, if not in dire need of guys like him, then it is certainly in want of them.
But I really can’t go along with Kelsea Ballerini winning for New Female Vocalist. I didn’t think any female artist could have a voice as irritating as Taylor Swift, but Ballerini managed it with that hammy twang of hers on “Dibs”.
LMAO at Lambert winning again! This is literally absurd. Did Lambert have anything resembling a hit during the eligibility year? What did she do in the past year other than maybe a part of her (not even that successful) tour?
Also I can’t believe they presented Female Vocalist right after Carrie performed. I mean, it’s like a direct slap in the face at this point.
Jason Aldean?!?! WTH?
WME voting bloc is alive and well. What did they win … 7/9 awards? I lost count. These awards have become a joke.
So disappointed they didn’t even mention Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, and the Statler Brothers winning Cliffie Stone Pioneer ACM Award during the telecast. And for all the ridiculous credit-hogging about who was responsible for Chris Stapleton’s career – uh, hardly no one knew who he was until Justin Timberlake sang with him. So let’s give JT the credit.