2012 CMA Nominations

They’re out!  What are your thoughts on this year’s CMA nominations?  Discuss in the comments section.

Entertainer of the Year 

Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

Vocal Group of the Year

The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square

New Artist of the Year

Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Love and Theft
Thompson Square

Album of the Year (Awarded to artist and producer)

Luke Bryan, Tailgates and Tanlines – Produced by Jeff Stevens and Mark Bright

Eric Church, Chief – Produced by Jay Joyce

Miranda Lambert, Four the Record – Produced by Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, and Glenn Worf

Dierks Bentley, Home – Produced by Brett Beavers, Luke Wooten, and Jon Randall Stewart

Lady Antebellum, Own the Night  – Produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum

Song of the Year (Awarded to songwriters)

Eli Young Band, “Even if It Breaks Your Heart” – Will Hoge and Eric Paslay

Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You” – Dave Barnes

Dierks Bentley, “Home” – Dierks Bentley, Dan Wilson and Brett Beavers

Miranda Lambert, “Over You” – Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton

Eric Church, “Springsteen” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell

Single of the Year (Awarded to artist and producer)

Jason Aldean, “Dirt Road Anthem” – Produced by Michael Knox

Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You” – Produced by Scott Hendricks

Dierks Bentley, “Home” – Produced by Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten

Little Big Town, “Pontoon” – Produced by Jay Joyce

Eric Church, “Springsteen” – Produced by Jay Joyce

Musical Event of the Year

“Dixie Highway,” Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band

“Feel Like a Rock Star,” Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw

“Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” Willie Nelson featuring Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson

“Safe and Sound,” Taylor Swift featuring the Civil Wars

“Stuck on You,” Lionel Richie and Darius Rucker

Music Video of the Year (Awarded to artist and director)

Eric Church, “Springsteen” – Directed by Peter Zavadil

Kenny Chesney, “Come Over” – Directed by Shaun Silva

Miranda Lambert, “Over You” – Directed by Trey Fanjoy

Little Big Town, “Pontoon” – Directed by Declan Whitebloom

Toby Keith, “Red Solo Cup” – Directed by Michael Salomon

Musician of the Year

Sam Bush
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally

 

Jerrod Niemann – “Shinin’ On Me”

Songwriters:  Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, Lance Miller, Rob Hatch

With the month of April being just around the corner, this year’s crop of flip-flop-friendly summertime tunes is already beginning to roll out.  This early entry comes courtesy of rising hitmaker Jerrod Nieman, who previously reached great heights with the excellent ballad “What Do You Want,” and also pulled off a fun singalong ditty with the number one “Lover, Lover.”

In listening to “Shinin’ On Me,” the first single from Niemann’s forthcoming second album, the first word that comes to mind is underwhelming.  There are more than a few kinks here.  One could call it out for lack of lyrical depth, but that would be like calling out the sun for being hot.  Fluff is fluff, and would naturally be evaluated on that level, as there is such a thing as good fluff.  But one glaring problem here is that “Shinin’ On Me” sounds more like a cheap third-rate demo recording than a genuine radio smash.  The bland, washed-over production and canned horn section make it sound like Niemann is singing over a karaoke track.  Similarly, Niemann’s somewhat ho hum vocal delivery sounds uncharacteristically phoned-in, while the song’s title hook of “Today the sun is shinin’ on me” rings hollow and forgettable.

In general, lightweight fare is all fine and good, but it’s got to have something to make it stick – a catchy melody, an easily digestible hook, a few clever turns of phrase, or a finely nuanced vocal performance – anything.  “Shinin’ On Me” lacks all such essential ingredients, and mostly ends up sounding very hastily slapped together.  It’s not catchy.  It’s not fun.  It’s not memorable.  So what’s the point?

The fact that this song is being used to launch a new project is disconcerting.  Please let the rest of the new album be better.

JERROD’S SCORE:  3
(Scores are given on a scale of 1 to 10)