Amy's Country Music Awards - Best Male Artist

 

 

Oh the sadness of the current male artists being played on country radio.  We've even coined a term, Bro Music to describe the truck driving, beer drinking, lady chasing songs that we can't get away from on the radio.  There are still wonderful performers who write heartfelt, meaningful country songs.  This post is for them.  They might not be nominated for awards or played on the radio yet but I have faith that someday soon we will make a return to true country music.  These are my nominations for best male country artists.

 

 



 

 

Sturgill Simpson is amazing.  This is the title track of his most recent album, Turtles All the Way Down.  Why oh why is country radio not eating this man up?  He is amazing.  I really can't wrap my brain around the fact that I've never heard one of his songs on the radio. 

 

 



 

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Jason Isbell isn't easily put in a box.  Is this country? Americana?  I'm not sure but what I do know is that it's wonderful and I can happily report that I have heard his songs played on 95.9 the Ranch.  This song is Traveling Alone.

 

 

 

I sometimes forget that people all over the country don't get to hear the wonderful Texas music we hear here.  I'm not stingy and I'll share our wonderful artists with everyone.  Hayes Carll deserves so much more love and recognition than he gets.  This is a duet, Another Like you. 

 



 

 

Another Texas treasure is the awesome Zane Williams.  It was hard to pick which song to share but A Little Too Late is one of my favorites. 

 

 



 

 

My final nominee is Brian Wright with Striking Matches.  

 





 



Amy's County Music Awards - Best Female Artist

Oh if I were in charge of the world, you would be hearing such wonderful music on the radio.  You wouldn't have to dig out the gems on the internet but could just turn on the radio and hear true song craft, the songs with meaning and heart.   

First up is the wonderful Nikki Lane with Right Time who should be a country queen.  She will be in DFW at the Granada on NYE.  I haven't caught her live yet but she's high on my list.

Next up is the Brandy Clark who actually got a CMA nomination for New Artist.  Wouldn't it be amazing if the incredibly talented 35 year old, lesbian won a CMA?  She's a great song writer who wrote Better Dig Two and Mama's Broken Heart.  Even if you don't know her or her name you probably know her songs. 

Lori McKenna is another talented song writer that you probably have heard her songs even if you haven't heard of her.  This is the title song from her newest album, Numbered Doors.

 

 

Holly Williams is from a famous country music family but that doesn't mean that she's getting by on her name only.  She is a treasure.  This is Drinkin'.

 

 

 

 

Ashley Monroe is part of the Pistol Annie's which also includes Miranda Lambert.   She should be played on country radio too.  Okay that's my five nominations for best of country music that you should be hearing on the radio.