It's been an extremely powerful period for country music, with many albums and songs achieving huge critical and commercial success as the genre has crossed borders both stylistically and geographically. Additionally, artists outside of the country music world stepped in with confidence, delivering some of the best and most meaningful music of the year.
Grammy Nominations for '67u The annual Grammy Awards will be announced on November 8, with the ceremony taking place on February 2, 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. As Grammy eligibility comes to a close today (eligibility period is September 16, 2023 – August 30, 2024), here are Billboard's best bets for the nominees for Best Country album and Best Country Song.
Best Country album
Grammy voters often draw from a wide range of albums and artists here, taking into account records that fall into Americana and neighboring country music styles, and thus making this category more difficult to predict than for the awards alone. country. Except for Chris Stapleton Higher upwho is a guaranteed contender, and Lainey Wilson Tornadothe other three slots could just as easily go to albums listed on Within Reach — but that only speaks to the strength of this Grammy season's contenders.
beyonce, Cowboy Carter
Grammy voters tend to be less isolated than CMA Awards voters, so look for Bey to earn her first nomination in this category. Not only is the album a cultural touchstone, and “Texas Hold 'Em” went to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, but voters want to support Beyoncé and show that Nashville and the country community have change after its less than reception. reception at the 2016 CMA Awards.
Kacey MusgravesDeeper
Musgraves' 2021 album, crossed starsit became her first album not to be nominated for Best Country album when the country committee took it out of contention. Will she return to the category this year or is Musgraves now considered a pop or Americana artist? Deeper well is a largely mid-tempo, gentle exploration from this worldly cowgirl of many of life's bigger questions that Nashville should be proud to embrace.
Post Malone, F-1 Tris
Post Malone came to Nashville and conquered the city like few outsiders before him. He put in the work, spending months writing with top songwriters and playing local venues as he crafted an album full of duets that reflect where country music is right now, but also, especially on the solo songs, pay homage to its rich, deep roots. history. Add in the overwhelming success of “I Had Some Help,” his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, and you have a contender that will garner votes from both the country and pop communities.
Chris StapletonSuperior
Higher up is a sure bet in this category, as Stapleton has been nominated for every album he's released and has taken home the trophy three times. Like his four previous studio albums, Higher up debuted at No. 1 on Bulletin boardTop Country Albums chart and lead single “White Horse” peaked at No. 2 on Country Airplay. His undeniably rough, bluesy voice tackles matters of the heart in an intimate way that few other contemporary artists can muster.
Laney Wilson, Tornado
Wilson's latest album, Bell Bottom Countryis the reigning champion in this category, and with Tornadoreleased a week before the eligibility period closes, Wilson has released a set that will not only be fresh in voters' minds, but is her most confident yet. From the fun rush of first single, “Hang Tight Honey” to the stirring “Whiskey Colored Crowd” and the spontaneous kiss of “Ring Finger,” Wilson's broad appeal may prove irresistible to voters.
Within reach: Zach BryanThe Great American Bar Scene? Luke CombsFathers & Sons; Cody Johnson, Skin; Megan MoroneyI'm fine; Willie NelsonThe borders
Best Country Song
Considering the range of artists, from country newcomers to established pop stars, who have released country and neighborhood music over the past year, it seems likely that the nominations for Best Country Song (which honors songwriters) will range from top multi-week chart to more boutique fan favorites. And given country's growing global appeal, these songwriters have credits spanning the genres of country, pop, hip-hop, R&B and more.
Nominees for Best Country Song must have released a recording for the first time, or gained airplay for the first time, during the current year of eligibility. There are traditionally five candidates in this category, but three of the last six years there have been six (due to ties), so we're showing six possibilities.
“The Architect” (Kacey Musgraves)
Composers: Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
By Musgraves Deeper well The album comes this exquisitely crafted song that questions whether there is a higher power guiding the events of life or whether situations are simply the result of a series of random chances. Musgraves wrote the song with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Musgraves has won twice in this category, with “Merry Go 'Round” (also written by Musgraves, McAnally and Osborne) and “Space Cowboy” (written by Musgraves McAnally and Luke Laird).
“Dirt Cheap” (Cody Johnson)
Songwriter: Josh Phillips
Johnson is no stranger to this category and certainly knows how to pick an award-worthy song. One of Johnson's previously recorded songs, “Til You Can't,” won in this category in 2023. His song “Dirt Cheap,” which is in the top 10 Bulletin boardThe Country Airplay chart is a solo effort by songwriter Josh Phillips. Similar to “Til You Can't”, the song is built on vivid imagery and a heartfelt emotion.
“Halfway to Hell” (Jelly Roll)
Songwriters: Jason DeFord (Jelly Roll), Jesse Frasure, Matt Jenkins, Jessie Jo Dillon
Released in January, this track continues Jelly's trend of rock-driven songs detailing the duality of life, giving voice to the masses who walk the line between wholesome living and various vices, particularly lines like “I'm a dive bar Sunday sermon/ Sanctification with my bourbon”. “Halfway to Hell” is the third single from Jelly Roll's Whitsitt Chapel and topped the Country Airplay chart this year.
“I Had Some Help” (Post Malone & Morgan Wallen)
Songwriters: Ernest Keith Smith, Louis Bell, Morgan Wallen, Ashley Gorley, Austin Post, Chandler Paul Walters, Hoskins, Ryan Vojtesak
Post Malone has scored 10 Grammy nominations, but he was able to earn his first country nominations heading into the 2025 ceremony thanks to this Wallen collaboration. “I Had Some Help” spent six non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and seven weeks on the Hot Country Songs chart. While, in recent years, the best country song category has often been skewed toward songs that haven't been at the top for multiple weeks, last year's nominations included another Wallen-recorded song, “Last Night,” which crossed 16 weeks on top of it all. -Hot 100 genre.
“Texas Hold 'Em” (Beyoncé)
Composers: Beyoncé, Brian Bates, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bulow, Nate Ferraro, Raphael Saadiq
Beyoncé stands alone as the artist with the most Grammy wins, with 32 trophies — but the upcoming Grammy Awards ceremony could well see the music icon extend her wins in country categories, including best country song, thanks to “Texas Hold'Em.” Beyoncé has previously won Grammys for R&B songwriting (for “Say My Name,” “Crazy in Love,” “Drunk in Love,” “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and “Cuff It”) and in rap (for “Savage”). Earlier this year, Beyoncé became the first solo black woman to top Hot Country Songs, with “Texas Hold'Em” , which ruled the chart for 10 weeks from February to April.
“Tucson Too Late” (Jordan Davis)
Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
“Tucson Too Late,” the fourth single from Davis' Bluebird Daystopped the Country Airplay chart in May, becoming Davis' fifth chart-topper. The song was written by two sets of brothers – Davis and his brother Jacob, as well as brothers Josh and Matt Jenkins. This group of songwriters is the same behind Davis' CMA Song of the Year winner “buy Dirt.” Although “Tucson Too Late” settles into a more mid-tempo groove than some of his previous ballads, the serious storytelling here has connected with listeners.
Within reach: Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”; Ashley Cooke, “Your Place”? Megan Moroney, “No Caller ID”? Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”? Scotty McCreery, “Cab in a Solo”? Chris Stapleton, “Think I'm In Love With You”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammys-2025-country-best-album-song-potential-nominees-1235765074/