On Thursday (Feb.16) the ACM Nominations were announced via CBS by the help of country trio Lady Antebellum. During the announcement, it was evident that country superstar Keith Urban was well ahead, leading in nominations. At the end of the day, it was revealed that Urban is leading the pack with 7 total nominations.
His latest ACM nominations include his seventh for Entertainer of the Year and 10th for Male Vocalist. He is nominated twice - as both artist and producer - in the Album of the Year category for Ripcord. He’s also received an additional two nominations - for both artist and producer - for Single Record of the Year for his hit song “Blue Ain’t Your Color”. The same song is also up for an award in the Song of the Year category.
Needless to say, Urban is killing it this year already and rightfully so. It’s evident that 2016 was an incredible year for the Australian superstar, and 2017 is shaping up to be the exact same way - having a new music video out and already being nominate for three Grammy’s shows that he’s the real deal.
Of course he’s got some stiff competition but who’s to say he can’t win all seven? We think it’s quite possible. We broke it down by each category Urban is nominated in with the voting criteria for the award and why we think Urban fits it perfectly. Read on:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the individual, duo or group who showed the most overall success in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of November 26, 2015 to November
23, 2016 The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success of music videos, vocal performances, live concert ticket sales, artistic merit, appearances on television, appearances in films, songwriting, success in digital media, and contributions to the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership (Taken from ACMCountry.com )
Why Keith Should Win: First and foremost, let’s talk about success at radio. The radio has loved Urban this past year with some major No.1 hits and all from the same album. Two No.1 hits from Ripcord (“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” “Break On Me” ) hit the No.1 spot on the charts before the album was even finished (John) or released in May (“Break On Me”). Not to mention, he released another No.1 hit “Wasted Time” in late March of 2016, which reached the No.1 spot in June, making it Urban’s 21st No.1. Each song has been the most added during the first week of impact. Have we mentioned that he has 37 consecutive top 10 hits? This means that Urban has the longest active runs for top 10s on Country Airplay and the longest in the charts 26-year history.
But of course, this award isn’t based solely on radio or sales. it’s based on entertainment and it’s safe to say that Urban knows how to entertain. His ripCORD World Tour grossed over $32 million and sales with an attendance of millions of fans worldwide. He played a total of 67 shows over the span of 7 months. The tour was a critically acclaimed success and listed as one of the best tours to look for to in 2016 according to Rolling Stone and other publications.
Each production lasted for two hours filled with a number of old hits and new hits. It was a show that was praised by journalists, publications and fans alike. Not only was it praised for Urban’s incredible talent but also because he never failed to include the fans. Every chance he got, Urban brought fans up on stage to take photos or even play guitar. The tour made many dreams come true, and it’s definitely one to remember. If that doesn’t mark Urban as Entertainer of the Year, we don’t know what will.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to an outstanding individual male vocalist in the country music industry during the prior calendar year of November 26, 2015 to November 23, 2016. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, sales of pre-recorded music, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales and vocal performances. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership (Taken from ACMCountry.com)
Why Keith Should Win: We’ve already discussed the fact that he’s slaughtered radio sales and concert sales. Let’s discuss his vocal performances by watching a few videos, shall we?
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the primary artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music album released during the prior calendar year of November 26, 2015 to November 23, 2016. An album is defined as a unified released body of work with a minimum of either seven (7) full-length musical works and/or thirty (30) minutes in length. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership. An album is considered released on the first available date that the material can be possessed by a consumer via a purchase in its entirety and/or streamed legally in its entirety by a royalty- generating service. If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods, but achieved its largest annual sales during the eligibility period according to SoundScan, it is eligible unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category. To be eligible, a minimum of 51% of the standard edition of the album must contain songs that have not been previously released by the artist prior to thirty (30) days from the album’s release date. “Best Of” and “Greatest Hits” albums are ineligible. Only the standard edition of an album may be submitted for eligibility, as determined by the record company. Once an album is nominated in the final round, it may not be nominated in alternate configurations for future voting (Taken from ACMCountry.com)
Why Keith Should Win: We’re real serious when it comes Ripcord being one of the best country albums released in 2016. Okay, so maybe it’s not necessarily a country album but it’s an incredible body of work that’s made top-notch sales and history all at once. The album debuted at No.1 in Canada, American and Australia simultaneously for two weeks. It has been certified platinum in Australia and certified GOLD in Canada.
Ripcord scored Urban his fifth No.1 on the Top Country Albums chart, all of which have debuted the summit. His first four were Be Here (2004), Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing (2006), Defying Gravity (2009), and Fuse (2013). He co-wrote five of the albums tracks and produced the album (which is another nomination for him) as well. The album has been nominated for a CMA and a Grammy and it’s only February.
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the artist(s), producer(s) and record company of an outstanding country music single record during the prior calendar year of November 26, 2015 to November 23, 2016. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media and impact of the single record on consumers and the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.Any single record released and achieving a Top 20 charted position on Billboard’s Country Airplay (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts during the eligibility period is eligible. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest Top 20 charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category (Taken from ACMCountry.com)
Why Keith Should Win: It’s obvious that this category will be the one for Urban to win. “Blue Ain’t Your Color” is the only song on the list of nominees that have reached a rare feat in history. He’s seemingly done the impossible by topping all four Billboard country music charts at once. The song has sat atop the hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Digital Song Sales and Country Streaming Songs charts. This is only the third time in history the same song has reigned supreme on all four charts. If we have a say in anything, we say this screams ACM champion. He has two additional nominations in this category for artist and producer.
SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the songwriter(s), publisher(s), and artist(s) of an outstanding country music song during the prior calendar year of November 27, 2014 to November 25, 2015. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media and impact of the song on consumers and the country music industry with emphasis on the creative integrity of the song. A Professional Panel of at least twelve (12), no more than twenty (20) established songwriters, whose members are approved by the ACM officers, will submit a list of at least 10 nominees or 10% of all eligible songs (whichever number is greater) to ACM members classified in the Composer category to select the final five (5) nominees to be placed on the final ballot once approved by the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership. Any song released reaching its highest charted position on Billboard’s Country Airplay (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country chartsduring the eligibility period is eligible. If the song was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible, unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category.(Taken from ACMCountry.com)
Why Keith Should Win: “Blue Ain’t Your Color” is a song that is so above and beyond its years. It breaks down barriers and is unlike anything that is being played on country radio or country playlists today. It’s been an incredible success, and if you haven’t heard him play it live, please do yourself a favor and go do that. The timeless waltz is iconic and could perhaps be the best song of Urban’s career and the best song on country radio today. It’s made history and it will continue to be a song that will be remembered in years to come.
