The Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 2020 Grammy Awards today (Wednesday), and country music fans will find a mix of contemporary and classic stars among the candidates, as well as a surprise or two.
Apparently Tyler Childers's fanbase includes several industry tastemakers as the indie artist with Americana leanings finds himself in the Best Country Solo Performance category among more expected nominees Ashley McBryde, Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton and Tanya Tucker.
The Best Country Duo/Group Performance category has a bit of a plot twist with collaborations also landing in this field, so Brooks and Dunn's duet with Luke Combs, "Brand New Man," and Maren Morris's work with Brand Carlile on "Common" go up against tradition duos and groups Brothers Osborne, Dan and Shay and Little Big Town.
Though the Best Country Song award goes to the songwriters, it is noteworthy that all of the performing artists for the songs did also happen to be writers on their nominated work.
Thomas Rhett may have been surprised that his Center Point Road album was nominated for Best Country Album, but it's unlikely that anyone else is. Eric Church is also receiving his just reward in that category as well as in Best Country Song. And the ladies dominate the Best Country Album category with Reba McEntire, Pistol Annies and Tanya all taking a slot among the nominees.
If you're keeping tally, Ashley McBryde, Tanya Tucker, Dan and Shay and Eric Church each received a pair of nominations while the rest are singular nominees.
Here's a list of the country categories. You can find additional country nominees scattered throughout thefull nominations list.
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
Tyler Childers - "All Your’n"
Ashley McBryde - "Girl Goin' Nowhere"
Willie Nelson - "Ride Me Back Home"
Blake Shelton - "God's Country"
Tanya Tucker - "Bring My Flowers Now"
BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
Brooks & Dunn With Luke Combs - "Brand New Man"
Brothers Osborne - "I Don't Remember Me (Before You)"
Dan + Shay - "Speechless"
Little Big Town - "The Daughters"
Maren Morris f/ Brandi Carlile - "Common"
BEST COUNTRY SONG
(award goes to the songwriter(s) - performer in parens)
"Bring My Flowers Now" (Tanya Tucker) - Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker
"Girl Goin' Nowhere" (Ashley McBryde) - Jeremy Bussey & Ashley McBryde
"It All Comes Out in the Wash" (Miranda Lambert) - Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose
"Some of It" (Eric Church) - Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde & Bobby Pinson
"Speechless" (Dan + Shay) - Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers & Laura Veltz
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Eric Church - Desperate Man
Reba McEntire - Stronger Than the Truth
Pistol Annies - Interstate Gospel
Thomas Rhett - Center Point Road
Tanya Tucker - While I'm Livin'